HAMPTON, VA – The Johns Hopkins wrestling team rallied for a 27-24 win over Apprentice in its opening match at the 2023 Virginia Duals to hand head coach Keith Norris his 100^th career victory; the Blue Jays later lost to Glenville St., 37-12, and now stand at 4-3 on the year.  Action at the Virginia Duals will continue on Saturday.
 
Norris Joins a Fraternity of Two
Norris joined an exclusive fraternity with his 100^th career victory at Johns Hopkins.  He joins Andy Janquitto as the only two Blue Jay wrestling coaches to reach the 100-win mark.  Janquitto won 107 duals meets during his career as the Johns Hopkins head coach from 1983-96.  Norris took over in 2005 and, in addition to reaching the 100-win mark, is now just seven victories behind Janquitto on the program's career victories list.
 
Blue Jays Rally Past Apprentice
The milestone victory for Norris didn't come easily as the Blue Jays found themselves in an early 15-0 hole after dropping the first three bouts by forfeit, decision and fall.  Victories in each of the next five bouts locked up the win for the Blue Jays.
 
Freshman Connor Powell jump-started the rally at 149 as he built a 6-0 entering the second period and then scored second pin of the year at the 4:26 mark to get the Blue Jays going.  Hopkins added pins from Fritz Maurath at 157 (2:51), Joe Paul at 174 (4:01) and Grant Walnoha at 184 (1:19), while freshmen Jake Hoffmann broke a 7-7 tie at 165 with a third-period takedown and held off Ethan Baker, 9-8, for a crucial win by decision.
 
The Builders added a narrow 4-3 decision at 197 and a pin at 285 to account for the 27-24 final score.
 
Early Surge Powers Glenville
Glenville St., which is currently ranked 16^th in the nation in Division II, jumped out to an 18-0 lead and never looked back in topping the Blue Jays, 37-12.  The Pioneers won all eight contested bouts with the Blue Jays grabbing wins by forfeit at 149 and 157.
 
In the featured bout at 174, Glenville's Hunter DeLong, who is currently ranked sixth in Division II, topped Paul, who is ranked 10^th in Division III, 11-5.  Working from the top to start the third period, DeLong used a four-point near fall to grab a 7-3 lead and then countered a Paul reversal with an escape and takedown in the final 45 seconds to fuel his victory.
 
The Blue Jays suffered narrow losses at 197 and 285 as John Libby fell 7-4 at 197 and Jacob Pomykata fell 5-3 at 285.
 
What's Next
Johns Hopkins will return to action on Saturday, January 14 when the Blue Jays compete on day two of the Virginia Duals.  The Blue Jays' schedule for the day will be available later this evening.
 
Johns Hopkins-27, Apprentice-24
125 – Bruno Alves (A) won by forfeit (6-0)
133 – Dillon Messick (A) dec. Brent Lorin (J), 5-3, (9-0)
141 – Jordan Robbins (A) pin Alex Tinana (J) (3:29) (15-0)
149 – Connor Powell (J) pin Zachary Ortega (A) (4:26) (15-6)
157 – Fritz Maurath (J) pin David Norris (A) (2:51) (15-12)
165 – Jake Hoffmann (J) dec. Ethan Baker (A), 9-8 (15-15)
174 – #10 Joe Paul (J) pin Landon Kissell (A) (4:01) (15-21)
184 – Grant Walnoha (J) pin Rhys Carlson (A) (1:19) (15-27)
197 – Matt Henson (A) dec. John Libby (J), 4-3 (18-27)
285 – Peter Cortapasso (A) pin Jacob Pomykata (1:43) (24-27)
 
GlenvilleSt.-37, Johns Hopkins-12
125 – Devin Easton (G) pin Dhilan Patel (J) (1:57) (6-0)
133  - Gavin Quicho (G) pin Brent Lorin (J), (0:38), (12-0)
141 – Ethan Hardy (G) pin Alex Tinana (J) (1:56) (18-0)
149 – Connor Powell (J) win by forfeit (18-6)
157 – Fritz Maurath (J) win by forfeit (18-12)
165 – Guy Deleonardis (G) maj. dec. Jake Hoffmann (J), 14-4 (22-12)
174 – #6 (D2) Hunter DeLong (G) dec. #10 Joe Paul (J), 11-5 (25-12)
184 – Cole Houser (G) tech. fall Grant Walnoha (J), 21-5 (31-12)
197 – Devan Gauldin (G) dec. John Libby (J), 7-4 (34-12)
285 – Gavin Shamblin (G) dec. Jacob Pomykata, 5-3 (37-12)