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March 29, 2024 10:03 am

Mount Olive features 10 podium finishers at Pembroke Classic

PEMBROKE  – The University of Mount Olive men’s wrestling program competed at the Pembroke Classic Nov. 6 and featured 10 individuals on the podium in the season-opener.

The Trojans tallied more than 50 victories to begin the 2022-23 campaign, including 22 decisions, 12 falls, eight major decisions, two technical falls, two sudden victories, two medical forfeits, one forfeit, one OT and one injury.

Freshman Jeffrey Richards competed unattached and registered an unblemished 5-0 record in his collegiate debut to claim the individual title at 133 pounds. He scored a 5-3 decision over Logan Robinson of UNC Pembroke to win the tournament crown after advancing to the finals following a victory over Omar Corrales of St. Thomas. A native of Mocksville, Richards also secured wins in his opening three bouts via two major decisions and one decision.

Fellow freshman Calan Staub had a stellar performance in his first college appearance after posting a 3-1 mark and advancing to the finals in the 165 weight class. He claimed a 16-0 technical fall win over Jack Hill of Lincoln Memorial in the opening match before securing victories via fall and sudden victory. Staub placed second in the season-opener after falling by major decision, 15-1, versus Matt Jenkins of Reinhardt.

Redshirt senior Dimitri Naimi (165), redshirt freshman Taylor Robinson (133) and freshman Darius McKenzie (125) all recorded third place finishes. Naimi collected a 4-1 record, including two decisions and two falls. He defeated Nick Williams of UNCP in the third place bout by fall.

Robinson finished 5-1 overall at the individual competition with four straight wins in the consolation bracket. He secured a victory via decision to claim a podium position. McKenzie also notched a 5-1 mark despite suffering a loss in his opening bout. He would win five consecutive matches (two falls, two decisions, one forfeit), including a 4-3 decision victory against Angel Banda of Reinhardt to place third.

Five other Trojans joined Richards, Staub, Naimi, Robinson and McKenzie in the top six of the their respective weight classes. Redshirt sophomore Colby Teague (174) placed fourth overall unattached, redshirt sophomore Jalyn McClammy (HWT) finished in fourth place unattached, freshman Samad Al-Khatib (149) came in fifth unattached, redshirt freshman Seth Thomas (174) claimed fifth and sophomore Jonathan Clack (197) placed sixth overall to rounded out the podium finishers.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics