MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College men's wrestling squad hosted its first home dual of the campaign on Friday when it welcomed the Keiser University Seahawks, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Coaches' Top 25, to McAlister Gymnasium. In the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) clash, the Cavaliers fell on the wrong side of a 36-9 scoreline. As a result, the Cavs moved to 3-3 (0-2 AAC) on the season, while KU improved to 5-3 (1-1 AAC).

Keiser and Montreat took turns capturing the initial four bouts, bringing the dual to a 9-9 stalemate through the 149-lb weight class. A 20-5 tech fall at 125 and a 13-1 major decision at 141 accounted for the visitors' nine points. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers secured their nine points thanks to the efforts of Zeke Grabowski and Boedi Kirkland.

In the 133-lb weight class, Grabowski overcame a late 4-1 deficit to force overtime. During the extra period, the Black Mountain, N.C. native notched a swift takedown, ultimately landing an 8-5 sudden victory decision. At 149, Kirkland physically dominated his foe, pinning him to the mat in just 2:43. The win was Kirkland's 23^rd of the year, tying him with Landon Chambers for the most wins in a single season in program history.
 
The visiting side flexed its muscles across the latter half of Friday's dual, claiming the final six bouts to register a 36-9 team triumph. KU's six consecutive victories included two pins, one tech fall, one major decision and two decisions.

Josh Mojica-Smith picked up a victory in the lone exhibition match following the team dual. The senior from Evans, Ga. pinned his opposition in 3:59.

The Montreat College men's wrestling squad takes on another AAC program next Friday in Waleska, Ga. Starting at 7 p.m., the Cavs go head-to-head with the No. 23-ranked Reinhardt University Eagles in more team dual action.

(RV) Keiser University 36, Montreat College 9
125: Patrick Jones (Keiser) over Kane Bryson (Montreat) (TF 20-5 5:43)
133: Zeke Grabowski (Montreat) over Gunner Musilunas (Keiser) (SV-1 8-5)
141: Anthony Santos (Keiser) over Louis Mehaffey (Montreat) (MD 13-1)
149: Boedi Kirkland (Montreat) over Joaquin Tanabe (Keiser) (Fall 2:43)
157: Phillip Antico (Keiser) over Robert Branson (Montreat) (Fall 2:59)
165: Julian Gonzales (Keiser) over Bryson McCraw (Montreat) (Dec 4-0)
174: Ronald Butler (Keiser) over Raymond Laney (Montreat) (MD 16-6)
184: Rocco D'Ascoli (Keiser) over Donovan Cavender (Montreat) (Dec 4-1)
197: No. 11 (at 184) Sam Libby (Keiser) over Elijah Amaya-Perez (Montreat) (Fall 1:20)
285: No. 24 Daguy Massillon (Keiser) over Reese Ferm (Montreat) (TF 17-1 5:14)
Extra: Josh Mojica-Smith (Montreat) over Viliam Piekh (Keiser) (Fall 3:59)