Knights grapplers impressive at Sunshine Open

December 29, 2007

Championship Bracket
Second Chance Bracket

LAKELAND, Fla.—With only six wrestlers making the long trip down to Florida the St. Andrews Presbyterian College wrestling program still made some noise at the Brute Sunshine Open with a trio of Knights claiming high finishes in their respective weight classes.

The Knights wasted little time hitting the mat after the holiday break competing in the Brute Sunshine Open, sponsored by Augsburg College, on Friday and Saturday, December 28-29 at the Lakeland Convention Center in Lakeland, Florida.

In the second chance bracket, freshman Eric Brown (Norfolk, Va.) won the lightweight title while freshman Casey Gashaw (Laurinburg, N.C.) was the runner-up in the 133-pound ranks and senior Charles Richardson (Virginia Beach, Va.) garnered third-place honors at 197-lbs.

Brown sandwiched his fourth pin fall win of the year around a pair of close loses by decisions in the championship bracket. Brown only needed two minutes and nine seconds to log the first round pin. In the second chance round, Brown ripped off three straight wins to take the title. Brown followed an 8-0 major decision with two straight 8-6 decisions to take the crown. Brown finished off the run in impressive fashion winning the championship bout in overtime.

Gashaw just missed winning the second title for St. Andrews losing a close 11-6 decision in the first-place showdown of the consolation bracket. After dropping his first match, Gashaw posted his third pin fall victory of his rookie season. Gashaw’s 3:30 pin was a new personal collegiate record time. In the second chance tourney, Gashaw advanced to the finals with a 7-3 decision before narrowly being defeated to finish second.

Richardson bounced back from two straight loses in the championship bracket by finishing third in the second chance bracket. After a forfeit victory, Richardson won the third place battle with a 5-2 decision.

In his first competition of the 2007/08 season, sophomore Brad McKee (Kings Mountain, N.C.) posted his first collegiate non-forfeit victory of his college career. McKee tallied his first ‘W’ with an 8-5 decision in the 133-pound competition.

Also gaining valuable experience for the very young Knights were the freshman duo of 141-pounder Troy Baranik (Laurinburg, N.C.) and 149-lb grappler Russell Lindsay II (Whitman, Mass.); with both hitting the mat three times apiece for SAPC.

St. Andrews will return home for a dual match against Newberry College on Wednesday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m.