Apprentice's Cecil Lee Defeats DI Opponent for 100th Victory

HAMPTON, VA. --- What a way to become a centurion on the wrestling mat. --

Apprentice School senior Cecil Lee entered the final bout in the Builders dual with Wagner College on Friday needing a win to not only give the Builders a team victory, but to join a rare group with 100 career wins.

The senior from Portsmouth dominated Connor Hart for an 8-0 major decision to give the Apprentice School a 24-20 victory over Wagner College in the consolation round of the 29th annual Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum.

Apprentice School (4-4) will now wrestle again on Saturday at 4 pm against the loser of Brockport-Anderson College in the consolation semifinals. That win over Wagner marked the fourth straight year the Builders defeated a NCAA Division I opponent in the Virginia Duals.

Lee's victory tied the school record for wins in a career with his 100th. He tied former heavyweight Darrick Walker (1996-2000) for that prestigious mark. Walker ended his career with a 100-22 record.

The match started off slowly for the Builders giving up a forfeit at 125 pounds and a decision loss at 133 to fall behind 9-0. Freshman Will Sexton started the comeback with a 13-0 major decision at 141 pounds over Tyler Hammer to bring the Builders back to 9-4. Junior Matt Perry answered that major decision with one of his own defeating Ryan Cornell 16-4 at 149 pounds to cut the deficit to 9-8.

The Seahawks responded with a pair of major decisions at 157 and 165 pounds to bring the lead back to nine points at 17-8. Freshman Charles Mills recorded a win in 1:57 over Ryan Malloy at 174 pounds to bring the Builders to within three points at 17-14. Wagner's Peter Morano recorded a 9-3 decision at 184 pounds putting the Seahawks up 20-14. Sophomore Daniel Hare recorded the biggest pin of his season defeating Mark Wagner in 1:57 to force a 20-all tie heading into Lee's match.

After the first minute of the match, Lee began to assert himself and earned the 8-0 major decision and the 24-20 Apprentice School victory.

The Builders started the event facing the third-seeded Roger Williams Hawks from Rhode Island. The Hawks reeled off four wins by pin in a five-match span to defeat the Builders 40-6. Apprentice School earned victories at 133 pounds by Daniel Gular who scored a 9-5 decision over Andrew Jackson and by heavyweight Cecil Lee who took a 6-0 decision over Ben Kissane for a 40-6 final score.

Apprentice School 24, Wagner College 20

125: Jason Mandragona (W) won by forfeit; 133: Nick Keshecki (W) dec. Ty Holley 10-9; 141: Will Sexton (A) maj. dec. Tyler Hammer 13-0; 149: Matt Perry (A) maj. dec. Ryan Cornell 16-4; 157: Nick Dalcero (W) maj. dec. O'Bryant Beaufort 11-3; 165: Sean Quinn (W) maj. dec. Will Harcum 16-4; 174: Charles Mills (A) p. Ryan Malloy 1:57; 184: Peter Morano (W) dec. Quentin Bowling 9-3; 197: Daniel Hare (A) p. Mark Wagner 1:57; HWT: Cecil Lee (A) maj. dec. Connor Hart 8-0

Roger Williams 40, Apprentice School 6

125: Michael Trayser (RW) won by forfeit; 133: Daniel Gular (A) dec. Andrew Jackson 9-5; 141: Andrew Hawley (RW) dec. Will Sexton 10-6; 149: Tom Tuminelli (RW) dec. Ricky Anderson 11-6; 157: Kyle Rodgers (RW) p. Matt Perry :45; 165: Dan Zotollo (RW) p. Ray O'Connor 1:25; 174: Chris Nadeau (RW) maj.. dec. Charles Mills 11-3; 184: James Woods (RW) p. Daniel Hare 3:24; 197: Dan Woods (RW) p. James Lipford 3:53; HWT: Cecil Lee (A) dec. Ben Kissane 6-0