Special Report to Blowing Rock News from GoASU. February 10, 2012.  BOONE -- After taking eight of 10 possible bouts, Appalachian State University wrestling clinched a share of the Southern Conference dual-meet title as the Mountaineers defeated VMI, 37-9, in Varsity Gymnasium on Friday.

With the victory, Appalachian (11-3, 5-0 SoCon) is one win away from its first undefeated league performance since 2002-03; the Apps will take on Davidson in their final match of the season on Feb. 19. League-rival Chattanooga is one match behind at 4-1 in SoCon play and concludes its slate with VMI (5-8, 2-3 SoCon) on Feb. 20.

The evening’s action began at 165 pounds, and No. 15 Kyle Blevins (Sapulpa, Okla./Sapulpa) delivered a big 15-2 major decision to put the Mountaineers on the scoreboard first, 4-0. With his 114th career win, the senior is now tied for second on ASU’s all-time career wins list.

VMI’s Matthew Brock responded with a 6-0 decision at 174, narrowing the ASU advantage to 4-3.

The threat would not last long, as VMI was unable to field a 184-pounder, and No. 12 Austin Trotman (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor) earned his 119th career victory by forfeit.

Freshman Paul Weiss (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) notched a convincing, 10-1 victory at 197 pounds, extending the Appalachian lead to 14-3.

VMI picked up a pin at 285 pounds but failed to present a 125-pound entry, and junior Tony Gravely (Martinsville, Va./Magna Vista) received credit with a win-by-forfeit to advance the score to 20-9.

Appalachian junior Brett Boston (Morganton, N.C./Freedom) earned the Black and Gold’s only pin of the match, needing 2:15 to level his Keydet opponent.

The senior trio of Mike Kessler (Bay City, Mich./Western), Savva Kostis (Boone, N.C./Watauga) and Chip Powell (Greensboro, N.C./S.W. Guilford) cleaned up the final three bouts, sealing the 37-9 match victory.

The Mountaineers return to action Saturday at Varsity Gym, when they take on No. 20 Virginia at 6:30 p.m. in the season’s final showdown with a ranked opponent.

Appalachian State 37, VMI 9

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