GAFFNEY, S.C (Feb. 1) – The University of Mount Olive men's wrestling secured a pair of Conference Carolinas victories on Saturday afternoon following a 33-6 win over Coker before defeating Limestone by a 33-11 margin.

With the wins, the Trojans improve to 10-3 overall behind a 7-1 record in league duals. Mount Olive will compete for the East Division title against Newberry on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Kornegay Arena, looking to secure the No. 1 seed entering the Conference Carolinas Tournament.

The Trojans came out strong in their dual meet against the Coker Cobras, with redshirt junior Christian Decatur (125) securing a narrow 7-6 decision over Corey Gallivan to open the match. The Cobras quickly responded with a dominant pinfall from #13 ranked Stephen Sipko at 133, putting Coker up 6-3.

However, it was all Mount Olive from there. The Trojans went on a tear, winning the next eight matches. Freshman Benjamin Hernandez (141) won via decision and freshman Dylan Pepin followed with an impressive 17-0 shutout tech fall at 149. Senior Jake Nicolosi earned an 8-4 decision in the 157-weight class and freshman Brent Nicolosi continued the momentum with a tech fall at 165, 19-6.

Redshirt senior Colby Teague received a forfeit at 174, and Calan Staub made quick work of his opponent with a dominant 17-1 tech fall at 184, 30-6. Sophomore Raife Smart (197) and redshirt junior Slade Watkins (285) closed out the dual with back-to-back decision victories, sealing the victory for Mount Olive, 33-6.

In the dual against Limestone, the Trojans were handed an early 6-0 deficit after forfeiting the 125-weight class. However, the Trojans bounced back quickly as freshman Eli Pendergrass secured a major decision over Daiyan Heard at 133 and Hernandez (141) dominated with a 21-4 tech fall to give Mount Olive a 9-6 lead.

Limestone responded at 149 with Brandon Seawright picking up a tech fall to give the Saints a brief 11-9 advantage. From there, the Trojans took control, winning the next six matches in dominating fashion.

At 157, J. Nicolosi wasted no time, pinning his opponent in the first period. B. Nicolosi followed suit with a first-period tech fall at 165. Teague produced a commanding 8-4 decision at 174 and Staub got a first-period fall at 184. Smart earned a forfeit at 197 and redshirt freshman John Domencic capped the dual with a hard-fought 6-4 decision, 33-11.

UMO will continue Conference Carolinas action on Thursday, Feb. 6, as they host Newberry on Senior Day at Kornegay Arena, starting at 7 p.m.
 
Match Results vs. Coker
125: Christian Decatur (Mount Olive) over Corey Gallivan (Coker) (Dec 7-6)
133: Stephen Spitko (Coker) over Jeffrey Richards (Mount Olive) (Fall 2:40)
141: Benjamin Hernandez (Mount Olive) over Frank Bianco (Coker) (Dec 6-4)
149: Dylan Pepin (Mount Olive) over Kymontae Wright (Coker) (TF 17-0 5:17)
157: Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Noah Korenoski (Coker) (Dec 8-4)
165: Brent Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Austin Collins (Coker) (TF 19-3 4:36)
174: Colby Teague (Mount Olive) wins by forfeit
184: Calan Staub (Mount Olive) over Cephus Deas (Coker) (TF 17-1 4:48)
197: Raife Smart (Mount Olive) over Kaleb Walley (Coker) (Dec 4-1)
285: Slade Watkins (Mount Olive) over Kevin Mood (Coker) (Dec 6-3)
 
Match Results vs. Limestone
125: William Finnearty (Limestone) win by forfeit
133: Eli Pendergrass (Mount Olive) over Daiyan Heard (Limestone) (MD 20-6)
141: Benjamin Hernandez (Mount Olive) over Richard Patanjo (Limestone) (TF 20-5 5:53)
149: Brandon Seawright (Limestone) over Christian Orozco (Mount Olive) (TF 21-4 4:22)
157: Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Malachi Thomas (Limestone) (Fall 1:54)
165: Brent Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Samuel Daniels (Limestone) (TF 21-6 2:33)
174: Colby Teague (Mount Olive) over Christopher Drakeford (Limestone) (Dec 8-4)
184: Calan Staub (Mount Olive) over Peyton Miles (Limestone) (Fall 1:31)
197: Raife Smart (Mount Olive) wins by forfeit
285: John Domencic (Mount Olive) over Caleb Melton (Limestone) (Dec 6-4)
Extra 184: Osmar Rivera-Rosas (Limestone) over Diontae Smith (Mount Olive) (Dec 22-15)