BUIES CREEK, N.C.— The Montreat wrestling team began its season with a battle against the NCAA Division I Campbell University Camels Wednesday evening. Despite early points for the Cavaliers, Montreat dropped the dual by a score of 47-6 and moved to 0-1 on the year.
The Cavaliers forfeited a pair of matches, one at 125 and another at 184, giving the home team 12 points, which put the Cavs in an early hole.
Braden Wharton wrestled in the initial bout for Montreat at 133. The 2020-21 national qualifier fell down by double digits early in the match, but fought back to within a single point before claiming victory via the fall at 4:48 to knot the competition at six.
Following Wharton's matchup, the Cavaliers struggled to gain momentum in the dual, surrendering three consecutive tech falls which resulted in a 21-6 advantage for the Camels. The home team used the ensuing two matches to expand the lead via major decisions prior to finishing the dual with two additional pins.
In a series of exhibitions that occurred before the main bouts, Montreat notched a couple of victories.
Freddy Guardiola collected a win over his opposition due to injury, and Branson Bennet earned a 13-6 decision at 165.
Wrestling returns to the mat for its first home dual of the season on Saturday inside McAlister Gymnasium. The first match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m.
Campbell 47, Montreat 6
125: Joziah Fry (Campbell) win by forfeit
133:
Braden Wharton (Montreat) over Cole Wilson (Campbell) Fall (4:48)
141: Gabriel Hixenbaugh (Campbell) over
Louis Mehaffey (Montreat) TF 20-5 (6:15)
149: Chris Rivera (Campbell) over
Landon Chambers (Montreat) TF 22-4 (6:36)
157: Jake Chisolm (Campbell) over
Branson Bennett (Montreat) TF 16-1 (7:00)
165: Riley Augustine (Campbell) over
Easton Griffin (Montreat) MD 20-9
174: Cameron Andrews (Campbell) over
Tyler McDonald (Montreat) MD 14-1
184: Shane Quick (Campbell) win by forfeit
197: No. 32 Levi Hopkins (Campbell) over
Antonio Petraglia (Montreat) Fall (1:11)
HWT: Luke Davis (Campbell) over
Jim Connaghan (Montreat) Fall (2:17)
Extra matches
197: Shane Quick (Campbell) over
Antonio Petraglia (Montreat) MD 14-2
HWT: Calvin Hayford (Campbell) over
Jim Connaghan (Montreat) Fall (4:16)
133: Joziah Fry (Campbell) over
Braden Wharton (Montreat) TF 25-10 (6:35)
141: Gabriel Hixenbaugh (Campbell) over
Chris McHenry (Montreat) Fall (1:32)
149: Chris Rivera (Campbell) over
Jonathan Zafra (Montreat) TF (3:30)
157:
Freddy Guardiola (Montreat) over Alex Rivera (Campbell) Injury (6:35)
165:
Branson Bennett (Montreat) over Patrick Adams (Campbell) Dec 13-6
165: Josh Epperly (Campbell) over
Easton Griffin (Montreat) Dec 5-2
HWT: Eli Daugherty (Campbell) over
Jim Connaghan (Montreat) Fall (1:32)
