January 21, 2009

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SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College wrestling team picked up its first win of the season by defeating host Spartanburg Methodist College, 27-25, Wednesday evening on the strength of three pin fall victories.

Sophomore Greg Todd (pictured) improves to 4-2 in dual matches after winning his fourth straight trip to the mat on Wednesday.

Junior Brad McKee (Kings Mountain, N.C.) picked up his first win of the season in grand fashion, pinning his opponent in the first round of the 149-pound match. The freshman duo of Matt Fletcher (Stephens City, Va.) and Dan Butcher (Westwood, N.C.) also provided key pin fall victories for the Royal Blue & White.

The Knights improve to 1-6 on the season heading into the East Coast Duals that will be hosted by St. Andrews on Friday & Saturday, January 23-24. The tournament will feature 13 teams from the East Region wrestling in 25 dual matches.

Fletcher started off the evening with a pin fall victory over the Pioneers lightweight. Fletcher was racking up the points with a team-high five takedowns before finally disposing of his foe in the third round. Fletcher’s third pin of the season provided SAPC with an early lead they would never relinquish.

Sophomore Casey Gashaw (Laurinburg, N.C.) dropped a major decision at 133-lbs allowing Spartanburg Methodist to tighten the match 6-4 but the Knights pulled away in the next two matches.

Butcher downed his 141-pound counterpart in the second period and McKee decked his 149-lb opposition in the first period. McKee’s first win of the season extended the Knights advantage to 18-4.

Butcher and Fletcher have identical 4-3 dual match records for SAPC.

At 157-lbs, the Pioneers were able to hold off a late rally by sophomore Troy Baranik (Laurinburg, N.C.) en route to a narrow 8-4 win.

Sophomore Greg Todd (Gloucester, Va.) all but sealed the victory for the Knights with a 7-2 victory at 165-pounds. Todd almost had a pin fall victory with a near fall in the third period before setting for the victory by decision

Todd and Butcher are tied for the team lead for total wins on the season at nine apiece after both winning on Wednesday.

Freshman Mike Frazzitta (Fayetteville, N.C.) was credited with his first collegiate victory with a forfeit win at 184-pounds, which gave the Knights the essential points needed for the team victory after forfeiting at 174, 197, and heavyweight.

FINAL: St. Andrews 27, Spartanburg Methodist 25
125: Matt Fletcher (SAPC) pinned Lucas Wingo (SMC), 6:20 … SAPC leads 6-0
133: Michael Slaughter (SMC) defeated Casey Gashaw (SAPC) by Major Decision, 13-4 … SAPC leads 6-4
141: Dan Butcher (SAPC) pinned Ricky Moore (SMC), 4:15 … SAPC leads 12-4
149: Brad McKee (SAPC) pinned Dennis Wooten (SMC), 2:10 ... SAPC leads 18-4
157: Tyler McElhene (SMC) defeated Troy Baranik (SAPC) by decision, 8-4 … SAPC leads 18-7
165: Greg Todd (SAPC) defeated Drew McElrath (SAPC) by decision, 7-2 … SAPC leads 21-7
174: Parker Anderson (SMC) won by forfeit … SAPC leads 21-13
184: Mike Frazzitta (SAPC) won by forfeit … SAPC leads 27-13
197: Kyle Burke (SMC) won by forfeit … SAPC leads 27-19
285: Dondricus Anderson (SMC) won by forfeit … SAPC wins 27-25
RECORDS: St. Andrews 1-6, Spartanburg Methodist