GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Several NAIA wrestling teams from around the country gathered in Tennessee for the Smoky Mountain Duals on Saturday. The Montreat men's wrestling squad took on a pair of opponents but fell in each matchup to move to 0-6 on the season.
 
In the first dual of the day, the Cavs faced No. 2 Life University. Though the Running Eagles only wrestled two of their 12 ranked athletes, the favored side took all 10 bouts and notched bonus points in nine of the matches to win 51-0. Jack Hawbaker surrendered just a 4-1 decision at 141.
 
The Cavaliers then battled Midway University, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll. An early forfeit handed the Eagles a 6-0 lead; however, Coy Reid pinned his opponent in 2:48 at 133, and Hawbaker tallied a 14-4 major decision at 141 to put Montreat ahead 10-6. Two decisions and two falls then went the way of Midway, flipping the score to 24-10 Eagles. Despite a pin by Tyler McDonald at 184 and a 10-1 major decision by Seth Williamson at 197, the Cavs dropped the matchup 30-20.
 
Click here for all of the Cavaliers' results at the Smoky Mountain Duals.
 
Montreat men's wrestling returns to the mat after Christmas with a pair of duals against Truett McConnell and King in Cleveland, Ga. on Jan. 10.
 
#2 Life University 51, Montreat College 0
125: Kolby Dempsey (Life University) over Unknown (Montreat College) (Forfeit)
133: #6 Antonio Saldate (Life University) over Coy Reid (Montreat College) (Fall 0:00)
141: Jordan Mitchell (Life University) over Jack Hawbaker (Montreat College) (Dec 4-1)
149: Avant Stepherson (Life University) over Braden Wharton (Montreat College) (MD 18-4)
157: Alexander Couto (Life University) over Ethan Bennett (Montreat College) (TF 16-1 1:46)
165: Jaden New (Life University) over Josh Mojica-Smith (Montreat College) (TF 19-4 2:31)
174: #1 Riley Smucker (Life University) over Dalton Towe (Montreat College) (TF 18-3 2:04)
184: Tyler Brandt (Life University) over Dre Bonner (Montreat College) (Fall 3:57)
197: Timothy Barr (Life University) over Seth Williamson (Montreat College) (TF 19-3 6:04)
285: Spencer Dacus (Life University) over Lucian Thomas (Montreat College) (Fall 0:24)
 
 
(RV) Midway University 30, Montreat College 20
125: Zach Lewis (Midway University) over Unknown (Montreat College) (Forfeit)
133: Coy Reid (Montreat College) over Tyrique Simms (Midway University) (Fall 2:48)
141: Jack Hawbaker (Montreat College) over Nolan Jones (Midway University) (MD 14-4)
149: Chris Sperin (Midway University) over Braden Wharton (Montreat College) (Dec 16-12)
157: Brent Hudgins (Midway University) over Ethan Bennett (Montreat College) (Fall 1:03)
165: Daylon Stafford (Midway University) over Josh Mojica-Smith (Montreat College) (Dec 7-4)
174: Sebastian Hutchinson (Midway University) over Dalton Towe (Montreat College) (Fall 4:10)
184: Tyler McDonald (Montreat College) over Trace Insalaco (Midway University) (Fall 2:18)
197: Seth Williamson (Montreat College) over David Emfinger (Midway University) (MD 10-1)
285: Aaron Garcia (Midway University) over Lucian Thomas (Montreat College) (Fall 0:56)