BRISTOL, Tenn. (Jan. 18) – Facing a pair of programs ranked among the top 15 in the country, the University of Mount Olive women's wrestling team fell by a 37-12 margin at King before suffering a 30-17 loss to Emmanuel in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas action on Saturday.

With the results, the Trojans drop to 8-7 overall in duals with a 4-2 record in league action. In its previous six matches, every UMO opponent has been nationally ranked, including competing against four top-16 programs at the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships.

Against King (17-3), the Tornado produced victories in the initial six bouts while recording five falls and a tech fall. Freshman Lillian Prendergast earned a point for Mount Olive after battling to a 12-1 tech fall against No. 9 ranked Mia Zuniga in the 103-weight class. With King ahead by a 29-1 margin, the Trojans received a forfeit at 145 to cut into the deficit before the Tornado registered another first-round pin in the 160-weight class, 34-6. UMO collected another forfeit at 180 before sophomore Andrea Smith (207) battled in a 6-4 loss via decision versus Kenisha Jacsaint in the final match, 37-12.

Against Emmanuel (19-3), the Trojans registered wins in the initial two matches to build a 9-1 advantage. At 103, Prendergast produced a first-round fall against Lynnlie Rountree before freshman O'marzria Wright recorded a 12-2 tech fall over Haley Zinninger in the 110-weight class. The Lions answered with a win via a decision at 117, but sophomore Ayonna McNeill countered with a victory over Kalayah Edwards following an injury in the opening minute, 15-4. Emmanuel claimed wins in the final six matches with sophomore Savannah Bramhall (160) and A. Smith (207) earning a point, as UMO fell by a score of 30-17

The Trojans return tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 19, to compete individually at the Tornado Open with the start time set for 9 a.m.

Match Results vs. #3 King
103: #9 Mia Zuniga (King) over Lillian Prendergast (Mount Olive) (TF 12-1 2:03)
110: #3 Samara Chavez (King) over O'marzria Wright (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:37)
117: #6 Melanie Mendoza (King) over Mallory McDonald (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:51)
124: #2 Montana Delawder (King) over Ayonna McNeill (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:51)
131: #8 Anna Dicugno (King) over Chloe Lawler (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:26)
138: Annabel Garcia (King) over Angelica Steffy (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:51)
145: Kayleigh Savage (Mount Olive) wins by forfeit
160: #3 Cheyenne Bowman (King) over Savannah Bramhall (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:35)
180: Cynthia Smith (Mount Olive) wins by forfeit
207: Kenisha Jacsaint (King) over Andrea Smith (Mount Olive) (Dec 6-4)
 
Match Results vs. #11 Emmanuel
103: Lillian Prendergast (Mount Olive) over Lynnlie Rountree (Emmanuel) (Fall 1:49)
110: O'marzria Wright (Mount Olive) over Haley Zinninger (Emmanuel) (TF 12-2 1:34)
117: Evelyne Vazquez (Emmanuel) over Mallory McDonald (Mount Olive) (Dec 14-6)
124: Ayonna McNeill (Mount Olive) over Kalayah Edwards (Emmanuel) (Inj. 0:46)
131: Isabella Hoffman (Emmanuel) over Chloe Lawler (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:56)
138: Gianna Anaya (Emmanuel) over Angelica Steffy (Mount Olive) (Fall 4:12)
145: Gianna Dibenedetto (Emmanuel) over Kayleigh Savage (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:10)
160: Kendra Heroch (Emmanuel) over Savannah Bramhall (Mount Olive) (Dec 16-15)
180: #9 Alyssa Arana (Emmanuel) over Reagan Smith (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:56)
207: Gemma Templeman (Emmanuel) over Andrea Smith (Mount Olive) (Dec 4-1)