Mount Olive wrestlers take down Belmont Abbey
BELMONT – The University of Mount Olive men’s wrestling program registered seven victories, including three via fall, in a 31-12 win at Belmont Abbey on Thursday night in Conference Carolinas action.
With the win, the Trojans extend their winning streak to seven straight and improve to 9-1 overall behind a 4-1 record in conference duals. Mount Olive has won the last two meetings with Belmont Abbey with the record split at 2-2 all-time in the series. Meanwhile, the Crusaders fall to 5-5 this season with a 3-3 mark in league meets.
In the opening match, junior Lens Mathurin recorded a takedown and four-point near fall in the first period before pinning Ethan McCullough in the 125-weight class to give UMO a 6-0 edge. After the Crusaders received a forfeit at 133, the Trojans answered back with redshirt sophomore Taylor Robinson posting a 10-2 major decision over Will Cline with three takedowns in the 141-weight class to put Mount Olive ahead by a 10-6 margin. At 149, redshirt sophomore Dallas Wilson leaped out to a 7-0 lead in the first period before securing a 9-5 decision against Skyler Caban to extend the advantage to 13-6. Belmont Abbey responded in the 157-weight class with a victory by a 7-4 decision to cut the deficit to 13-9 through five matches.
At 165, Mount Olive countered with redshirt sophomore Aaron Bancroft registering a 7-2 decision versus Connor Weeks to take a 16-9 edge. Sophomore Calan Staub extended the lead for the Trojans with a fall following a two-point reversal in the opening seconds of the second period over Christian Arrington in the 174-weight class, 22-9. Redshirt sophomore Noah Williams recorded a 15-9 decision with three takedowns and a four-point near fall against Kyler Pickard at 184. Redshirt freshman Devon Bell followed up with a second-period fall versus Mason Kemp in the 197-weight class. In the heavyweight division, the Crusaders secured a 3-0 decision in the final match, as the Trojans sealed a 31-12 win.
Mount Olive is idle for nearly two weeks before returning to action on Wednesday, Jan. 24, when it hosts Coker in a Conference Carolinas dual meet at 7 p.m.
Match Results
125: Lens Mathurin (Mount Olive) over Ethan McCullough (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 1:54)
133: Elijah Boyd (Belmont Abbey) won via forfeit
141: Taylor Robinson (Mount Olive) over Will Cline (Belmont Abbey) (MD 10-2)
149: Dallas Wilson (Mount Olive) over Skyler Caban (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 9-5)
157: Maxwell Kiel (Belmont Abbey) over Jake Nicolosi (Mount Olive) (Dec 7-4)
165: Aaron Bancroft (Mount Olive) over Connor Weeks (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 7-2)
174: Calan Staub (Mount Olive) over Christian Arrington (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 3:22)
184: Noah Williams (Mount Olive) over Kyler Pickard (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 15-9)
197: Devon Bell (Mount Olive) over Mason Kemp (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 4:43)
285: Justin Wright (Belmont Abbey) over Jayln McClammy (Mount Olive) (Dec 3-0)
