January 30, 2009

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LAURINBURG, N.C.—Sophomore Casey Gashaw (Laurinburg, N.C.) prevented a shutout by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, winning his 133-pound match for host St. Andrews Presbyterian College in a 40-3 dual match loss on Friday night in Harris Court.

The Braves, ranked No. 9 in the East Region, improved to 5-7 on the season while the No. 15 regionally ranked Knights fall to 1-10.

UNCP freshman Kieyon Nash (Richmond, Va.) outlasted Knights’ freshman Matt Fletcher (Stephens City, Va.) in the opening match of the evening. Nash (5-5) used a pair or take downs en route to his 6-1 victory by decision.

SAPC sophomore Casey Gashaw (Laurinburg, N.C.) tied the match at 3-3 with a 3-1 decision over freshman Marcelus Perry (Tampa, Fla.) in the 133-pound bout. After a scoreless first period, Gashaw (8-10) used a key reversal early in the second period to gain his points for victory.

Juniors Bryan Miller (Colby, Kan.) and Brandon Bradley (Richmond, Va.) put the Braves back on top for good with wins in the next two tilts. Miller (14-6) posted a 12-2 major decision against Knights freshman Dan Butcher (Westwood, N.J.). Miller earned seven of his points on three near fall counts. Bradley followed with a pin fall in the next match to increase UNCP’s advantage to 13-3. Bradley (19-13) built a 15-3 lead before decking SAPC sophomore Troy Baranik (Laurinburg, N.C.) in five minutes and 39 seconds.

After a brief intermission, UNCP added a trio of wins by decision to increase its lead to 22-3. Junior 157-pound Rashaad Saunders (Richmond, Va.) defeated sophomore Greg Todd (Gloucester, Va.) 9-3; Sophomore 165-lb Trey Kirkland (Front Royal, Va.) survived a late charge by freshman Mike Frazzitta (Fayetteville, N.C.) 9-4; and junior 174-lb Mike Hall (Greensboro, N.C.) held off the much smaller opponent, junior Brad McKee (Kings Mountain, N.C.) 10-3.

The Braves pulled away to their final margin of victory by picking up 18 extra points on three forfeit wins at the heaviest weights. Freshmen Conor Pryor (Stony Brook, N.Y.), James De La Riva (Taylorsville, N.C.), and Andrew Evans (Washington, N.C.) were all credited with the forfeit wins.

St. Andrews next hosts Darton College on Wednesday, February 4 at 7 p.m.