GREENWOOD, S.C. (Feb. 16) – Competing in its first-ever Conference Carolinas Championship event, the University of Mount Olive men's wrestling program posted a third-place finish on Sunday, following a 21-15 loss to King in the semifinals before defeating Belmont Abbey by a 44-4 margin.

The Trojans completed dual meet competition with a 12-4 overall record, which matches a program record for single-season victories. Mount Olive will begin preparation for the NCAA Super Region II Championships on Saturday, March 1, hosted by UNC Pembroke.  

Against King, UMO captured the initial three bouts of the semifinals to take an early 12-0 advantage. Senior Christian Decatur claimed a 17-6 major decision at 125 over Tyson Upchurch before freshman Eli Pendergrass delivered a dominant 19-4 tech fall versus Alex Fernandez III in the 133-weight class. Freshman Benjamin Hernandez (141) followed up with a tough victory via a 6-2 decision against Ashtan Hendricks. The Tornado responded with back-to-back victories at 149 and 157 to trim the deficit to 12-7. Freshman Brent Nicolosi answered with a 13-3 major decision versus Joe Bertrand to extend the lead to 16-7. The momentum shifted from that point in favor of King, as the Tornado won the final four matches. UMO did suffer a one-point deduction following an unsportsmanlike conduction violation, 21-15.

Against Belmont Abbey, the Trojans cruised to a third-place finish after winning nine of the 10 matches. At 125, Decatur registered a pin over Daniel Graham to begin the contest before Pendergrass (133) recorded a 22-4 tech fall against Zachary Bergman to build an 11-0 lead. In the 133-weight class, Hernandez battled to a 9-5 decision versus Dylan Drinkard, while freshman Dylan Pepin registered a fall over Justin Knapp at 149. With UMO ahead 20-0, the Nicolosi brothers secure two more wins with Jake posting a 21-6 tech fall and Brent pinning his opponent to stretch the lead to 31-0. The Crusaders posted their lone victory in the 174-weight class to trail 31-4. The Trojans received a forfeit at 184 before Raife Smart (197) claimed a 10-6 decision and freshman John Domencic (285) produced a 10-2 major decision, 44-4.

Mount Olive returns to action in two weeks on Saturday, March 1, with the NCAA Super Region II Championships, hosted by UNCP.

Match Results vs. King (Semifinals)
125: Christian Decatur (Mount Olive) over Tyson Upchurch (King) (MD 17-6)
133: Eli Pendergrass (Mount Olive) over Alex Fernandez III (King) (TF 19-4 6:01)
141: Benjamin Hernandez (Mount Olive) over Ashtan Hendricks (King) (Dec 6-2)
149: Brennan Watkins (King) over Dylan Pepin (Mount Olive) (MD 13-1)
157: Trent Mahoney (King) over Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) (Dec 7-3)
165: Brent Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Joe Bertrand (King) (MD 13-2)
174: Clinton Morrisette (King) over Colby Teague (Mount Olive) (TF 22-6 4:09)
184: Ethan Lopez (King) over Calan Staub (Mount Olive) (Dec 5-1)
197: David Bertrand (King) over Raife Smart (Mount Olive) (Dec 10-5)
285: Nathan Coley (King) over Slade Watkins (Mount Olive) (TB-1 2-1)
 
Match Results vs. Belmont Abbey (Third-Place Match)
125: Christian Decatur (Mount Olive) over Daniel Graham (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 1:42)
133: Eli Pendergrass (Mount Olive) over Zachary Bergman (Belmont Abbey) (TF 22-4 5:54)
141: Benjamin Hernandez (Mount Olive) over Dylan Drinkard (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 9-5)
149: Dylan Pepin (Mount Olive) over Justin Knapp (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 4:41)
157: Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Alex Ropski (Belmont Abbey) (TF 21-6 2:56)
165: Brent Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Caden Brandenburg (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 1:47)
174: Cole Townsend (Belmont Abbey) over Colby Teague (Mount Olive) (MD 15-4)
184: Calan Staub (Mount Olive) wins by forfeit
197: Raife Smart (Mount Olive) over Jayden Malecki (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 10-6)
285: John Domencic (Mount Olive) over Justin Wright (Belmont Abbey) (MD 10-2)