HAMPTON, Va. – Minnesota State Moorhead wrestling turned in a pair of spirited performances to open action at the 45^th annual Virginia Duals. The Dragons began the day defeating Marymount 38-15 before falling to (RV) Newberry, 24-14.
 
Moorhead would look sharp in their opening round dual against NCAA Division III Marymount. While the Saints would earn the first team points of the dual, the Dragons would go on to command the early weights. Brody Toledo would lead off the Dragons with a pin at 1:29 versus Joseph Custodio. Pedro Velazquez would claim a 5-2 decision at 141 pounds to spark the winning streak.
 
Redshirt junior Parker Benz would only continue to capitalize as the dual moved to 149 pounds. The Bismarck, N.D., native racked up a 20-3 technical fall over Khalil Boddie. A debuting Jacob Reinardy would look sharp at 157 pounds, sticking Marymount's Jackson Fulcher at 1:34. 
 
Moorhead would win three of the final four weight classes, sparked by Anthony Sykora at 174 pounds. Sykora was quick to his offense, scoring a pin over Ian Harris at 1:08. Wyatt Powell would follow suit at 197 pounds, earning a pin at 2:01 over Mohammed Fofana. To cap the team effort, Liam Babitt only needed 55 seconds to pin Basheer Hadi. The effort at heavyweight provided a 38-15 win for MSUM. 
 
Dragons 38, Saints 15
 
125 – Ian Morales decision over Clayson Mele (7-6)
133 – Brody Toledo pinned Joseph Custodio (1:29)
141 – #15 Pedro Velazquez decision over Khalil Boddie (5-2)
149 – Parker Benz technical fall over Adonis Iparraguirre (20-3)
157 – Jacob Reinardy pinned Jackson Fulcher (1:34)
165 – Tallion Elliott injury default over Mason Gode 
174 – Anthony Sykora pinned Ian Harris (1:08)
184 – Dennis Meza Velasquez pinned Kish Eberline (5:38)
197 – Wyatt Powell pinned Mohammed Fofana (2:01)
HWT – Liam Babitt pinned Basheer Hadi (0:55)
 
The Wolves would collect the first three weights to build an 11-point lead on the team score. Needing some life, it was Benz who provided Moorhead a huge spark at 149 pounds. Benz secured a dominating 10-1 major decision over Sebastian Melendez to get the Dragons on the board.
 
Trailing 18-4 heading into the 174-pound match, Sykora would begin the Dragon comeback attempt. Sykora earned his second victory of the day, defeating Josh Echeverria by major decision, 16-6. Edon Davis would move up a weight class to 184 pounds to help the Dragons on the scoreboard, earning a 4-2 decision. While Babitt would earn another victory, this time via an 8-3 decision, Newberry's early victories helped secure them a 24-14 dual win. 
 
Wolves 24, Dragons 14
 
125 – Ricky Springs major decision over Clayson Mele (20-11)
133 – Caiden Pelc major decision over Brody Toledo (10-2)
141 – Cole McCullough decision over #15 Pedro Velazquez (7-1)
149 – Parker Benz major decision over Sebastian Melendez (10-1)
157 – Matt Hoelke major decision over Jacob Reinardy (11-2)
165 – #13 Bo Perkins decision over Damon Ferguson (5-0)
174 – Anthony Sykora major decision over Josh Echeverria (16-6)
184 – Edon Davis decision over Hayven Jenkins (4-2)
197 – #12 John Parker-Wilson pinned Wyatt Powell (3:56)
HWT – Liam Babitt decision over Chance Jackson (8-3)
 
Up Next
 
MSUM wraps competition at the Virginia Duals tomorrow in the fifth-place bracket. Moorhead battles #11 Kutztown at 4 p.m. tomorrow.