2002 Rumble on the River
January 8, 2003
Hosted by Collegiate
VMI defeats UVA 27-9 at the Rumble on the River
At the first "Rumble on the River" on Wednesday, Jan 8 at the Collegiate
School Jacob's Gym, VMI downed the University of Virginia 27-9. The gym
was packed to capacity, with fans from everywhere turning out to support
the event. Ken Berger handled the announcing, and with Mike McCormack
reffing the match the stage was set for a great night of wrestling.
125 Brian Sticca (UVA) dec Juan Sanchez (VMI) 5-4
At 125, Brian Sticca slipped past Juan Sanchez of VMI, mainly on
takedowns. Sanchez is a graduate of Hayfield High School.
133 Micah Amrozowicz (VMI) dec Ian Derath (UVA) 10-5
Micah Amrozowicz picked up the win at 133 with some sharp wrestling.
Micah was an AAA state runner-up from Kellam High School. Ian Derath
was a 2 time state champion in Michigan. Derath opened up the match
with a takedown, and held a 4-3 lead in the 2nd when Micah used a
roll to put him to his back. Derath was looking for a toss in the
3rd period to come back, but couldn't get it and Micah scored a final
takedown to seal the win.
141 Chris Seta (VMI) pin Ryan Stewart (UVA) 3:55
Chris Seta picked up a pin at 141 over Ryan Stewart. Stewart was
wrestling up though, and giving up some size. Ryan was also an
AAA placewinner from Potomac High School.
149 Jason Kontopedes (VMI) dec Paul Bjorlo (UVA) 2-2 (OT Rideout)
At 149 Jason Kontopedes rode out Paul Bjorlo in double OT to grab
the win. The two wrestlers were evenly matched through the match,
but when Kontopedes threw in the legs during OT Bjorlo couldn't shake
free quickly enough. Bjorlo was an AAA state champion for South Lakes
High School.
157 Adam Britt (VMI) dec Tim Foley (UVA) 8-3
Adam Britt vs Tim Foley was the most anticipated match of the night. Tim
Foley was AAA state-runner up for Brooke Point High School, Britt an AAA
state champion for local Atlee High School. Britt opened up the match with a
takedown in the 1st period. In the 2nd, Foley escaped and scored a takedown
of his own, catching Britt on the edge of the match. Britt countered with a
lightning quick roll on bottom to put Foley on his back and score 5 points.
In the third, Britt chose down and escaped, earning the 8-3 victory. Both
wrestlers are possible All-Americans this year, with Foley having placed 7th
at Midlands.
165 Will Durkee (UVA) dec Mike Parsons (VMI) 7-4
Will Durkee won a tough match over Mike Parsons at 165. The two
wrestlers were tied in the 3rd with Durkee threw in a cradle to grab
3 points. If you look at the picture below, who has control, though?
174 Matt Erwin (VMI) pin Peter Kang (UVA) 0:55
At 174, Matt Erwin quickly took down Peter Kang of UVA and didn't
waste much time locking in the cradle to get the pin. Kang was an AA
state runner-up for Courtland high school.
184 Jason Cox (VMI) dec Brian Muir (UVA) 9-3
Jason Cox wrestled a strong match at 184 to decision Brian Muir. Cox was
the quicker wrestler on his feet, scoring several takedowns to secure the
win. Muir was wrestling up from 174, though. Cox was also an AA state
champion for Amherst County High School.
197 David Walker (VMI) dec Zach Freday (UVA) 5-4 (OT Rideout)
Walker vs Freday was a close match between two evenly matched wrestlers.
It went to OT-Rideout, where Walker quickly chose down and promptly
escaped to get the win. David is a graduate of the Great Bridge Wildcats,
the reigning AAA dynasty down in Chesapeake.
285 Josh Etu (UVA) dec Scott Buhman (VMI) 5-4
Josh Etu won a close match over Scott Buhman. Etu held the lead throughout
most of the match, but most of the match was the wrestlers working from
neutral. Etu twisted his knee in the middle of the match and appeared to
be in pain, but was able to hold off a Buhman attack in the 3rd to get the
victory.
