BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling returned to Varsity Gym on Sunday afternoon against Southern Conference foe SIUE for its first home match since defeating Duke, 26-14, on Dec. 15. The Mountaineers (8-2, 3-0 SoCon) handled the Cougars (1-7, 0-3 SoCon) 33-8 and won eight of the 10 weight classes.

“Overall, I thought we wrestled pretty well," said head coach JohnMark Bentley. "We had some guys step up that haven't been in our lineup. We are continuing to get better and work towards March."

The match started with the 125-pound bout. Vito Pasone fought off an early takedown and pinned Joe Antonelli in the first period to put the Mountaineers up 6-0. Irvin Enriquez made his dual match debut for the Mountaineers at 133 pounds. Enriquez was up 6-0 going into the final period and was able to hang on for a 8-2 decision win versus Dakota Leach.

In the 141-pound match, Michael Longo dominated the action against John Muldoon in the first period, scoring eight points. Longo would go on to win by major decision, 14-4, to give the Apps a 13-0 advantage. The Cougars forfeited the 149 pound match up, giving Matt Zovistoski the win and stretched the Mountaineer lead to 19-0.

Angel Najar battled through a close match at 157 pounds but topped Erik Travers with a 6-3 decision. After the intermission with a 22-0 lead, Forrest Przybysz jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first period versus Nate Higgins. Przybysz went on to win by 9-5 decision to keep the Apps unbeaten on the day.

Nick Kee controlled the 174-pound bout versus Clayton Bass and cruised to a 10-1 major decision to give the Apps a commanding, 29-0, lead. Derek Nagel handed the Mountaineers their first loss of the day when he won by major decision over Taylor Jackson in the 184-pound match.

At 197-pounds, Randall Diabe was down 8-3 heading into the final period. Diabe was unable to rally in the third period and fell 15-3 to Jake Tindle. The reigning Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week, Denzel Dejournette, improved to 21-2 on the season with his 10-0 major decision win over Chris Johnson.

Appalachian in action next in Charleston, S.C. against The Citadel on Jan. 20 for its fourth SoCon match up of the year. Match time is set for 6:00 p.m.

App State 33, SIUE 8

125: Vito Pasone pinned Joe Antonelli (0:44) (App leads 6-0)
133: Irvin Enriquez def. Dakota Leach D, 8-2 (App leads 9-0)
141: Michael Longo def. John Muldoon MD, 14-4 (App leads 13-0)
149: Matt Zovistoski win by forfeit (App leads 19-0)
157: Angel Najar def. Erik Travers D, 6-3 (App leads 22-0)
165: Forrest Przybysz def. Nate Higgins D, 9-5 (App leads 25-0)
174: Nick Kee def. Clayton Bass MD 10-1(App lead 29-0)
184: Derek Nagel def. Taylor Jackson MD 11-0 (App leads 29-4)
197: Jake Tindle def. Randall Diabe MD 15-3 (App leads 29-8)
Hwt: Denzel Dejournette def. Chris Johnson MD 10-0 (App leads 33-8)