Neal Richards Wins 174 lb. Championship at LHU

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Red-shirt junior Neal Richards captured the championship in the 174-pound weight class Saturday as the VMI wrestling team competed in the Lock Haven University Classic.

Richards pinned Colt Carroll of Cleveland State University in 1:14 in the semi-finals after receiving a bye in the first round. He recorded an 11-7 decision in the finals against another CSU wrestler, Dmitri Williams, to win the title. Richards is now 16-3 on the season with nine-straight wins.

Two Keydets finished in second place, Chris Beck at 197 pounds and Tre Momon at 285. Beck won 2-0 in the first round and posted a 7-2 decision in the semifinals. Momon defeated Collin Kelly of Cleveland State 4-3 to reach the finals.

Hunter Starner took third place at 133, defeating an opponent 21-3 in the process. Zach Schmitt earned a win at 149 as did Darren Ostander at 157 and Ben Wagner at 184.

VMI returns home Sunday, January 13, hosting Appalachian State University in a Southern Conference dual meet at 1 p.m.