FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.— After completing a team dual against Truett McConnell University on Saturday evening, the Montreat College men's wrestling team was right back in action at the Georgia Open on Sunday. The all-day event was held on the campus of Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Ga. The Cavaliers brought 16 wrestlers to the tournament. Twelve of them secured at least one victory before exiting their respective weight class brackets.
 
Freshman Boedi Kirkland finished his day 4-2 at 149 and advanced to the fifth-place match. He started his day with three consecutive wins. Kirkland pinned his first opponent in 5:22, beat his next foe via major decision and triumphed with a 9-6 victory in overtime to continue the streak. After losing his first match of the day, the Catawba, N.C. native won his following matchup to the tune of a 4-1 decision. After the decision win, Kirkland advanced to the next round automatically, as his next opponent had already hit his six-match limit. Kirkland concluded his run with a 13-7 loss, which took him to the fifth-place match. However, Kirkland had reached his six-bout limit and the matchup was deemed a no contest.
 
Kane Bryson went 3-2 in the open tournament at 125. He was also victorious in his first three bouts. Bryson demonstrated his versatility by winning each match in a different way. A major decision, a tech fall and a decision were the methods of victory for Bryson's three triumphs. After the run, the freshman out of Canton, N.C., lost his next two in a row to be eliminated from the bracket.
 
Josh Mojica-Smith ended 2-2 and secured both of his wins via tech falls. He lost his first matchup on a 17-2 tech fall. Facing elimination, he garnered back-to-back victories thanks to 18-3 and 19-3 scorelines to stay alive. Mojica-Smith's run at 174 later ended after being pinned in 5:45.
 
Dre Bonner wrestled at 197 and finished 2-2 also. The Cadwell, Ga. native lost his first bout via a 20-3 tech fall. He too won two bouts in a row when facing elimination. He acquired his triumphs from two pins in 0:38 and 2:22. Bonner lost his fourth match from another tech fall 21-6, ending his day.
 
Eight Montreat wrestlers finished 1-2 during the event. Landon Herndon, Levi Dennis, Reese Ferm, Zeke Grabowski, Bryson McCraw, Donovan Cavender, Dylan Hogan and Grayson Burleson all earned a win before being eliminated from the tournament.
 
"The guys wrestled hard," said head coach Jim Connaghan. "Boedi performed well against tough competition, and we look forward to next weekend's tournament at King."
 
For the full results from the Georgia Open, click here.
 
The Montreat men's wrestling squad prepares for its next event in the King Open held in Bristol, Tenn., on Sunday, Nov. 16.