NORFOLK, Va. – Gardner-Webb wrestling took on a pair of strong programs Sunday, falling to No. 24 Northwestern, 37-3, and to host Old Dominion, 30-3, at the Monarch Classic.

Tyler Marinelli improved to 3-0 in duals and 8-1 overall at 157 pounds Sunday, picking up a pair of decisions. The Jefferson, Ga., junior topped Northwestern's Shayne Oster, 8-4, in the opening match of the day – and blanked Old Dominion's Shane Jones in his finale.

Marinelli recently finished fifth at the 2017 Hokie Open against a tough field.

Northwestern sent four nationally-ranked individuals to the mat Sunday, with No. 12 Sebastian Rivera (125), No. 9 Ryan Deakin (149) and No. 17 Mitch Sliga (184) scoring bonus points. No. 14 Conan Jennings took a 9-2 decision over Lathan Bumgarner at 285 pounds.

The Wildcats also picked up a pin at 133 pounds and a major decision at 165 pounds to power their scoring.

Old Dominion started with a pair of decisions in the lower weights, with Philip Anderson battling Caleb Richardson hard at 133 pounds before falling by a 7-5 score.

Alex Madrigal's 9-0 major decision win at 141 pounds boosted the Monarchs to a 10-0 lead and Kenan Carter followed with a 9-1 major decision at 149 pounds, before Marinelli picked up his decision at 157.

The Monarchs' Luke Drugac posted a 13-3 major decision at 165 pounds, before Old Dominion closed with four consecutive decisions. 

Cole Graves wrestled in a tight match at 184 pounds, before taking a 3-1 loss in overtime.

Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Friday, beginning a busy weekend at Virginia in Charlottesville on November 17. GWU will then travel to Raleigh, N.C., for the annual Wolfpack Open.


#24 Northwestern 37, Gardner-Webb 3
125: #12 Sebastian Rivera (NW) maj. Keegan Duncan (GW), 12-2
133: Colin Valdiviez (NW) pin Philip Anderson (GW), (1:44)
141: Alec McKenna (NW) dec. Denton Spencer (GW), 6-0
149: #9 Ryan Deakin (NW) pin Joby Armenta (GW), (3:25)
157: Tyler Marinelli (GW) dec. Shayne Oster (NW), 8-4
165: Michael Sepke (NW) maj. Brett Stein (GW), 12-3
174: Johnny Sebastian (NW) dec. Christian Maroni (GW), 8-2
184: #17 Mitch Sliga (NW) tech fall Cole Graves (GW), 16-0 (3:00)
197: Zach Chakonis (NW) dec. Anthony Perrine (GW), 9-5
285: #14 Conan Jennings (NW) dec. Lathan Bumgarner (GW), 9-2

Old Dominion 30, Gardner-Webb 3
125: Michael McGee (ODU) dec. Keegan Duncan (GW), 9-4
133: Caleb Richardson (ODU) dec. Philip Anderson (GW), 7-5 (TB)
141: Alex Madrigal (ODU) maj. Denton Spencer (GW), 9-0
149: Kenan Carter (ODU) maj. Joby Armenta (GW), 9-1
157: Tyler Marinelli (GW) dec. Shane Jones (ODU), 5-0
165: Luke Drugac (ODU) maj. Josh Walker (GW), 14-4
174: Seldon Wright (ODU) dec. Christian Maroni (GW), 5-2
184: Connor Frey (ODU) dec. Cole Graves (GW), 3-1 (OT)
197: Noah Bushman (ODU) dec. Anthony Perrine (GW), 8-4
285: Ali Wahab (ODU) dec. Jackson Price (GW), 6-2