PARK CITY, Kan.— In just its second year as a varsity program, the Montreat wrestling team sent two athletes to the 2022 NAIA Wrestling Championships in Park City, Kan. Taquel Young and Landon Chambers represented Montreat on the mat on Friday, with one making history and coming within a single win of NAIA All-American status.
 
Young made history for the Cavaliers by becoming the first Montreat wrestler to win an individual bout at the NAIA Wrestling Championships. History didn't come immediately for Young, however, as he lost his opening matchup in the 157-lb weight class via pin (0:52) to No. 11 James Williams from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.).
 
It was in the consolation bracket that Young racked up his wins. After a bye in the consolation bracket's first round, Young got a rematch bout against No. 12 Steven Villalobos from Life University. Villalobos earned a 13-7 decision win over Young inside McAlister Gymnasium on Feb. 9, but Young found victory when it mattered most.
 
After a scoreless opening three minutes, Young dominated the second period. In just 13 seconds, Young moved ahead of Villalobos with an escape. A late takedown and four near-fall points vaulted Young ahead with a 7-0 edge. Both Young and Villalobos scored three points in the final period, giving Young a 10-3 decision win and the first victory by a Montreat wrestler at the NAIA Wrestling Championships.
 
Young wasn't done there, though. In the third round of the consolation bracket, Young squared off against Jon McGowan of Oklahoma City University. Thanks to four takedowns and two escapes, the Emmanuel College transfer slightly edged out his opponent in each period, earning a 10-6 decision in the process.
 
Montreat's program-record run at nationals came to an end on Friday night, just one round away from Young claiming NAIA All-American status. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native battled No. 7 Derrick Smallwood from Lindsey Wilson College in the consolation bracket's fourth round. As expected, the bout was tightly contested from beginning to end.
 
Both wrestlers earned a takedown and an escape in the opening period, and it was an escape in the second frame that inched Young in front, 4-3, with just two minutes to go. Smallwood quickly knotted things up at four with an escape just seconds into the third period, and his late takedown plus riding time proved to be just enough to end Young's tournament journey with a 7-4 decision.
 
Chambers also competed on behalf Montreat College at the NAIA Wrestling Championships on Friday. Wrestling in a loaded 149-lb weight class, Chambers followed up a preliminary bye with a bout against No. 10 Salvado Silva from Southeastern University.
 
The Marietta, Ga. native trailed 3-2 after three minutes had passed. A scoreless second period meant the final two minutes would ultimately determine the outcome. Chambers battled valiantly but couldn't quite keep up with Silva, dropping a 9-3 decision as the clock showed zeroes.
 
In the double-elimination competition, Chambers utilized a bye to move into the second round of the consolation bracket. There, he met Seth Johnson from Marian University. Chambers seized an early 2-0 lead with a takedown 16 seconds into the bout, but Johnson managed to escape 25 seconds later. A takedown and pin after 2:22 flipped the tide and gave Johnson the victory over Chambers, ending his tournament run.
 
For a complete look at the 2022 NAIA Wrestling Championships, click here.
 
The close of the national tournament signifies the season's end for the Montreat wrestling team. The Cavaliers now enter the offseason and begin preparations for the 2022-23 season, which begins this fall.