PIKEVILLE, Ky.— The Montreat men's wrestling team passed through the state of Kentucky Friday evening for a tri-dual hosted by the University of Pikeville. Competing in team duals for the first time this season, the Cavaliers dropped their nonconference matchup versus the Midway University Eagles before rebounding with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) triumph over the University of Pikeville Bears. With the split, Montreat started the season 1-1 (1-0 AAC).
 
Midway (2-1) secured a dual victory over the Cavs by winning the initial six bouts. Montreat forfeited the 125-lb matchup, and the Eagles utilized two pins and a trio of tech falls to extend their lead up to 33-0.
 
Three consecutive triumphs helped the Cavaliers close the gap. Dalton Towe got Montreat on the board with a 7-5 decision at 174. Milosz Gargol then followed up Towe's effort with a 13-3 major decision at 184 before Seth Williamson pinned his 197-lb opponent in 6:09. MU responded with a tech fall in the final bout, though, sealing a 38-13 nonconference victory.
 
Pikeville (0-2, 0-1 AAC) tried to follow Midway's script as it also got off to a good start. A forfeit paired with a major decision and a fall vaulted the hosts out to a 16-0 advantage; however, the visitors swiftly flipped the dual in their favor.
 
Freshman Mikai Brinson notched a pin at 149, while Dylan Hogan did the same wrestling in the 165-lb bout. Coupled with four forfeits, Montreat surged in front of its counterpart, 36-16. The Bears snagged a pin in the final showdown to trim the deficit, but the Cavs still captured their first win of the year via a 36-22 final.
 
"I'm grateful we had the opportunity to compete tonight," said head coach Jim Connaghan. "We have a lot we need to work on going into our next competition. The guys are working hard, and I have faith we will find more success the rest of the season."
 
With more dual action ahead on the docket, Montreat heads to Gatlinburg, Tenn. next Saturday for the Rocky Top Duals.
 
Midway University 38, Montreat College 13
125: Kapela Joseph (Midway University) over Unknown (For.)
133: Tyrique Simms (Midway University) over Karter Watson (Montreat College) (Fall 0:46)
141: Alex Velazquez (Midway University) over Ayden Goodman (Montreat College) (TF 21-5 2:49)
149: Chris Begley (Midway University) over Mikai Brinson (Montreat College) (TF 20-5 5:26)
157: Kaleb Clark (Midway University) over Robert Branson (Montreat College) (Fall 1:20)
165: Abe Hafez (Midway University) over Caleb Johnson-White (Montreat College) (TF 16-0 5:38)
174: Dalton Towe (Montreat College) over Sebastian Hutchinson (Midway University) (Dec 7-5)
184: Milosz Gargol (Montreat College) over Ernst Lavaud (Midway University) (MD 13-3)
197: Seth Williamson (Montreat College) over David Emfinger (Midway University) (Fall 6:09)
285: Aaron Garcia (Midway University) over Grant Trotter (Montreat College) (TF 19-4 6:22)
Extra: Kasen Johnson (Midway University) over Antonio Petraglia (M. For.)
Extra: Michael Colligan (Midway University) over Josh Mojica-Smith (Montreat College) (Fall 4:27)
 
Montreat College 36, University of Pikeville 22
125: Brandon Didat (University of Pikeville) over Unknown (For.)
133: Ethan Croom (University of Pikeville) over Karter Watson (Montreat College) (MD 16-4)
141: Calvin Moon (University of Pikeville) over Ayden Goodman (Montreat College) (Fall 0:38)
149: Mikai Brinson (Montreat College) over Hayden Canady (University of Pikeville) (Fall 3:26)
157: Robert Branson (Montreat College) over Unknown (For.)
165: Dylan Hogan (Montreat College) over Chase Price (University of Pikeville) (Fall 4:55)
174: Dalton Towe (Montreat College) over Unknown (For.)
184: Milosz Gargol (Montreat College) over Unknown (For.)
197: Seth Williamson (Montreat College) over Unknown (For.)
285: Reginald Whyte (University of Pikeville) over Grant Trotter (Montreat College) (Fall 2:10)