CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia wrestling team opened its 2007-08 season Saturday in dominating fashion with wins over Wagner (52-0), Anderson (45-3) and VMI (42-3) at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers lost just two of their 30 matches on the day en route to the big wins.

Freshman Michael Chaires (Scotia, N.Y.) had a sensational college debut, recording pins in all three of his matches at 165 pounds. Brent Jones (So., Burke, Va.) also recorded two pins and a forfeit win at 197. Ten of the Cavaliers’ win came by pin, including five against Wagner. The Cavaliers’ 52 points against Wagner were the third-most in program history, falling six points shy of the record of 58, set vs. Howard in 1998.

Ross Gitomer (So., Flemington, N.J.) and Anthony Burke (Poquoson, Va.) each recorded three wins on the day at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively.

Virginia hits the road next Saturday for the first time this season, traveling to the Binghamton Open. The action starts at 9 a.m.

Virginia 52, Wagner 0     UVa    WC

125    Ross Gitomer (UVa) major dec. Joe Eurell (WC), 26-9     5    0

133    Anthony Burke (UVa) fall Richard Engelhardt (WC), 1:29 11    0

141    Kellon Balum (UVa) major dec. Mike Tutunjian (WC), 16-5 15    0

149    Pat Riley (UVa) dec. Patrick Larkin (WC), 7-2     18    0

157    Kyle Artusio (UVa) major dec. Sean Quinn (WC), 11-0     22    0

165    Michael Chaires (UVa) fall Larry Peotter (WC), 1:17     28    0

174    Mike Grogan (UVa) fall Sam Hoerdemann (WC), 4:14     34    0

184    Rocco Caponi (UVa) by forfeit     40    0

197    Brent Jones (UVa) fall Ed Broderick (WC), :39     46    0

HWT    Jack Danilkowicz (UVa) fall John Graeffe (WC), :34     52    0

Virginia 45, Anderson 3     UVa    AU

125    Ross Gitomer (UVa) tech. fall Nick Moreira (AU), 19-4    5    0

133    Anthony Burke (UVa) fall Chris Francis (AU), 5:40     11    0

141    Zach Anderson (UVa) dec. Anthony DiCarlo (AU), 8-2     14    0

149    Pete Ferrara (UVa) dec. Nick DiCarlo (AU), 10-8     17    0

157    Beau Fisher (UVa) fall Ryan Peace (AU), 3:47     23    0

165    Michael Chaires (UVa) fall Trevor Sanford (AU), 4:58     29    0

174    Mike Sewell (UVa) major dec. Jared Skinner (AU), 18-5    33    0

184    Luis Audelo (AU) dec. Joe de Garavilla (UVa), 7-6     33    3

197    Brent Jones by forfeit     39    3

HWT    Calvin Cardillo by forfeit     45    3

Virginia 42, VMI 3     UVa    VMI

125    Ross Gitomer (UVa) tech. fall Ross Harris (VMI), 26-11    5    0

133    Anthony Burke (UVa) major dec. Sharif Gray (VMI), 16-6    9    0

141    Kellon Balum (UVa) dec. Tyler Anthony (VMI), 4-3     12    0

149    Pat Riley (UVa) dec. David Metzler (VMI), 4-3     15    0

157    Tommy Cunningham (VMI) dec. Kyle Artusio (UVa), 5-3     15    3

165    Michael Chaires (UVa) fall Jon Horne (VMI), 1:30     21    3

174    Mike Grogan (UVa) dec. Dustin McCabe (VMI), 6-4     24    3

184    Rocco Caponi by forfeit     30    3

197    Brent Jones (UVa) fall Ronnie Ellsworth (UVa), 2:42     36    3

HWT    Calvin Cardillo (UVa) by forfeit     42    3