INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 15) – Senior Jake Nicolosi made program history on Sunday after earning the highest-ever podium finish at the Midwest Classic with a runner-up placement in the 157-weight class in the mega-tournament hosted by UIndy.

In the biggest regular season tournament in Division II, the University of Mount Olive men's wrestling program matched their highest finish in program history as a team after placing 26th in a field of 43 programs.

Nicolosi entered the tournament as the No. 13 ranked wrestler at 157 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) individual rankings before ultimately claiming second place behind a 4-1 record in the Circle City. On Sunday, he earned his biggest win at the event after defeating No. 3 ranked Ben Durocher of Wisconsin-Parkside by a 4-1 decision to advance to the semifinals. Nicolosi produced another win via a 4-2 decision versus Tommy Nichols of American International. In the championship bout, he faced defending national champion Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma and fell by a 12-2 major decision to place second overall.

Nicolosi joins former teammate Dallas Wilson as the only UMO wrestler to reach the podium at the Midwest Classic.

Freshman Brent Nicolosi fell just short of the podium in his first appearance in Indianapolis with a 3-2 mark. In a rematch against No. 6 ranked Guy Deleonardis of Glenville State, he suffered an 11-4 decision loss in the quarterfinals of the 165-weight class. In the consolation bracket, Nicolosi was defeated by No. 3 ranked Hunter Jump of Central Oklahoma via fall.

Junior Calan Staub finished the tournament with a 3-2 record after an impressive run in the consolation bracket. On day two, he competed against No. 12 ranked Zeke Waltz of McKendree and fell by a 20-11 major decision.

Mount Olive heads onto winter break for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year before returning to the mat in Kornegay Arena on Friday, Jan. 3, versus Allen, starting at 3 p.m.