MOUNT OLIVE (Feb. 6) – For the first time in program history, the Trojans clinched the Conference Carolinas East Division title on Thursday night with a 29-17 victory over Newberry at Kornegay Arena.
With the win, the University of Mount Olive men's wrestling team improves to 11-3 this season behind an 8-1 record in conference duals. The Trojans secure a spot in the Conference Carolinas Tournament next weekend and will compete for their first-ever conference title. Meanwhile, Newberry falls to 8-8 overall with a 4-2 mark in league duals.
Mount Olive registered wins in the first three matches, as senior
Christian Decatur started the contest with a 10-2 major decision over Hunter McCullough in the 125-weight class. Freshman
Eli Pendergrass followed with a fall in the second period versus Ethan McCullough at 133 before freshman
Benjamin Hernandez (141) recorded a fall in the final period against Cole McCullough. With UMO ahead 16-0, Newberry cut into the deficit with a pin at 149 to trail by a 16-6 margin. In the 157-weight class, No. 5 ranked senior
Jake Nicolosi posted a 19-3 tech fall over Dennis Virelli, while No. 11 ranked freshman
Brent Nicolosi followed with a 21-6 tech fall versus Nick Humphrys at 165. The Wolves closed the gap with a decision at 174 and a major decision in the 184-weight class, 26-13. Sophomore
Raife Smart responded with a hard-fought 5-2 decision against John Parker-Wilson to extend the advantage to 29-13. Newberry claimed the heavyweight bout via an 11-3 major decision, but UMO sealed the 29-17 win.
The Trojans will face No. 2 seed King from the West Division in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament at 11 a.m. on the campus of Lander in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Match Results
125:
Christian Decatur (Mount Olive) over Hunter McCullough (Newberry) (MD 10-2)
133:
Eli Pendergrass (Mount Olive) over Ethan McCullough (Newberry) (Fall 4:31)
141:
Benjamin Hernandez (Mount Olive) over Cole McCullough (Newberry) (Fall 6:25)
149: Caelan Alderman (Newberry) over
Dylan Pepin (Mount Olive) (Fall 2:28)
157:
Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Dennis Virelli (Newberry) (TF 19-3 5:42)
165:
Brent Nicolosi (Mount Olive) over Nick Humphrys (Newberry) (TF 21-6 3:40)
174: Dayton Fields (Newberry) over
Colby Teague (Mount Olive) (Dec 6-1)
184: Andrew Reed (Newberry) over
Calan Staub (Mount Olive) (MD 25-16)
197:
Raife Smart (Mount Olive) over John Parker-Wilson (Newberry) (Dec 5-2)
285: Kale Schrader (Newberry) over
Slade Watkins (Mount Olive) (MD 11-3)
