MOUNT OLIVE (Dec. 11) – The University of Mount Olive men's wrestling team secured 13 victories and posted a pair of wins over Emmanuel and Greensboro on Sunday afternoon at the Trojan Duals hosted in Kornegay Arena.
 
With the wins, the Trojans improve to 8-2 overall and with the victory over Emmanuel move to 3-0 this season in conference action. Mount Olive remains undefeated in the league alongside UNC Pembroke and Lander, who both have three wins.
 
Below are the team scores for today's dual meets.
 
Mount Olive over Emmanuel, 29-17
Emmanuel over Greensboro, 42-12
Mount Olive over Greensboro, 41-12
 
Against Emmanuel, the Lions took an early 3-0 advantage following a win by a 5-1 decision in the 125 weight class before freshman Jeffrey Richards (133) battled to a 3-0 decision over Harvey Ridings to tie the meet at 3-3. Emmanuel responded with an 11-2 major decision at 141 to take a 7-3 lead before the Trojans rattled off four-straight wins. Redshirt freshman Dallas Wilson (149) had a dominant performance to post an 18-1 technical fall over Clayton Frost to give UMO an 8-7 advantage. Redshirt junior Michael Vernagallo followed with another impressive showing after recording a 16-0 technical fall against Gage Shetley in the 157 weight class. At 165, sophomore Jake Nicolosi registered a 19-3 technical fall versus Connor Smith before redshirt freshman Seth Thomas notched a 17-1 technical fall over Grady Tisdale to extend the lead to 23-7 over Emmanuel. The Lions answered with back-to-back wins via fall at 184 and 197, but redshirt senior Nico Ramirez sealed the win at heavyweight with a fall versus Ja'Mond Goodwine, 29-17.
 
Against Greensboro, freshman Darius McKenzie (125) collected a victory via fall over JaJuan Givens before Richards claimed his second win of the day by fall against Ivan Benitez at 133, as UMO held a 12-0 lead. The Pride countered with a 3-2 decision in the 141 weight class before Wilson, Vernagallo, and Nicolosi all recorded wins via forfeit to give the Trojans a 30-3 advantage. At 174, redshirt senior Dimitri Naimi secured a 9-6 decision versus Luke Gregory, but Greensboro followed with two victories at 184 and 197. Ramirez closed out the dual meet with another win via fall over Linwood King to record a 41-12 win on Sunday.

The Trojans return to the mat on Dec. 17-18, when they travel to the 43rd Midwest Classic, hosted by UIndy.
 
Match Results vs. Emmanuel
125: Gavin Hayes (Emmanuel) def. Darius McKenzie (UMO), 5-1 Decision
133: Jeffrey Richards (UMO) def. Hervey Ridings (Emmanuel), 3-0 Decision
141: Joshua Kincaid (Emmanuel) def. Hayden Waddell (UMO), 11-2 Major Decision
149: Dallas Wilson (UMO) def. Clayton Frost (Emmanuel), 18-1 Tech. Fall
157: Michael Vernagallo (UMO) def. Gage Shetley (Emmanuel), 16-0 Tech. Fall
165: Jake Nicolosi (UMO) def. Connor Smith (Emmanuel), 19-3 Tech. Fall
174: Seth Thomas (UMO) def. Grady Tisdale (Emmanuel), 17-1 Tech. Fall
184: Markis Hill (Emmanuel) def. Noah Williams (UMO), 13-5 Major Decision
197: Micha Clemson (Emmanuel) def. Jonathan Clack (UMO), by Fall (0:08)
285: Nico Ramirez (UMO) def. Ja'Mond Goodwine (Emmanuel), by Fall (1:39)
Extra 184: Devin McCorkle (UMO) def. Gavin Harper (Emmanuel), 13-7 Decision
 
Match Results vs Greensboro
125: Darius McKenzie (UMO) def. JaJuan Givens (Greensboro), by Fall (1:11)
133: Jeffrey Richards (UMO) def. Ivan Benitez (Greensboro), by Fall (1:16)
141: Josh Wilson (Greensboro) def. Taylor Robinson (UMO), 3-2 Decision
149: Dallas Wilson (UMO) wins by forfeit
157: Michael Vernagallo (UMO) wins by forfeit
165: Jake Nicolosi (UMO) wins by forfeit
174: Dimitri Naimi (UMO) def. Luke Gregory (Greensboro), 19-3 Tech. Fall
184: Khalil Belk (Greensboro) def. Devin McCorkle (UMO), 9-6 Decision
197: Maximiliaan Steele (Greensboro) def. Noah Williams (UMO), by Fall (0:48)
285: Nico Ramirez (UMO) def. Linwood King (Greensboro), by Fall (0:48)
Extra 165: Cody Smith (UMO) def. David Miller (Greensboro), by Fall (1:21)
Extra 174: Trent Walker (UMO) def. David Miller (Greensboro), by Fall