CHARLESTON, S.C.— Beginning its 2023-24 regular season campaign against an NCAA Division I foe, the Montreat men's wrestling team traveled to Charleston, S.C. Wednesday night for a season-opening dual versus The Citadel Bulldogs. Despite the Cavaliers' efforts, the hosts proved too much to overcome as Montreat dropped a 50-4 final and fell to 0-1 on the year.
 
Wrestling on its home floor, The Citadel (2-0) utilized a pair of forfeits along with one pin, one tech fall and a major decision to build a quick 27-0 lead through five bouts.
 
Mohamed Ben Hafsia notched Montreat's lone four points of the night in the 165 lb. matchup. Ranked 24^th at 149-lb., Ben Hafsia not only wrested up two weight classes, but he also delivered an impressive 12-2 major decision to put the visitors on the scoreboard.
 
Undeterred by their first blemish, the Bulldogs answered with a trio of pins and one additional tech fall to claim the final four bouts. As a result, the Cavaliers fell on the wrong side of a 50-4 final.
 
"The Citadel is a tough team," said Jake Britt, Director of Wrestling at Montreat College. "We are grateful for the opportunity to compete, and we thank God for giving us safe travels to Charleston. There's a lot of work to be done, but we still have plenty of season ahead of us as we prepare for the marathon, not the sprint."
 
The Montreat men's wrestling team takes to the mat inside McAlister Gymnasium for its next matchup, a home exhibition against Patrick & Henry Community College, on Nov. 8.
 
The Citadel 50, (RV) Montreat College 4
125        Malik Hardy (CIT) over Unknown (For.)
133        George Rosas (CIT) over Zeke Grabowski (MONT) Fall 1:04
141        Thomas Termini (CIT) over Unknown (For.)
149        Carson DesRosier (CIT) over Ethan Bennett (MONT) TF 15-0 3:46
157        Thomas Snipes (CIT) over Branson Bennett (MONT) MD 16-4
165        (#24 at 149-lb.) Mohamed Ben Hafsia (MONT) over Justin Hayes (CIT) MD 12-2
174        Brodie Porter (CIT) over Zack Wallace-Turner (MONT) Fall 1:02
184        Adam Ortega (CIT) over Tyler McDonald (MONT) Fall 2:41
197        Patrick Brophy (CIT) over Milosz Gargol (MONT) TF 19-4 4:32
285        Jonathan Chesser (CIT) over Lucian Thomas (MONT) Fall 1:44