Mount Olive wrestlers take down Limestone

MOUNT OLIVE – Junior Jake Nicolosi and sophomore Calan Staub registered wins by technical fall to lead the Trojans to a 38-10 victory against Limestone on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas action at Kornegay Arena.

With the win, the University of Mount Olive men’s wrestling program improves to 8-1 this season behind a 3-1 mark in league dual meets. In the series, the Trojans have claimed the previous two meetings with Limestone holding a 3-2 edge all-time. Meanwhile, the Saints drop to 3-3 overall with a 2-2 record in conference duals.

At 125, the Saints established a 3-0 lead in the contest after William Finnearty secured a 12-11 decision in the closing seconds of the third period to win the match. Mount Olive received forfeits at the 133 and 141 weight classes to take a 12-3 advantage. Limestone answered back with a 7-0 decision at 149 with the victory secured by Brandon Seawright to cut the deficit to 12-6. In the 157-weight class, Nicolosi delivered a dominant 17-1 tech fall over Bradley Creech to extend the lead to 17-6.

Following a forfeit to UMO at 165, Staub produced an 18-0 first-period tech fall versus Osmar Rivera-Rosas to stretch the advantage to 28-6 through seven weight classes. The Saints responded at 184 with an 11-1 major decision with the win secured by Jaquez Bostic before the Trojans won by forfeit in the 197-weight class. Redshirt sophomore Slade Watkins closed out the dual meet with a 9-0 major decision over Jack Trautmann III to seal the 38-10 win.

The Trojans return to the mat on Thursday, Jan. 11, when they travel to face Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas action, starting at 6 p.m.