MONTREAT, N.C. — The Montreat College men's wrestling team returned to McAlister Gymnasium on Tuesday evening to host the (RV) University of Pikeville Bears in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) dual. The Cavaliers secured eight victories across 10 weight classes, earning a convincing 45-9 win to improve to 2-0 overall (2-0 AAC), while Pikeville fell to 0-1 (0-1 AAC).
Sam Gosnell opened the dual at 125 pounds with a 6-5 decision, giving the Cavs an early 3-0 lead. UPIKE responded at 133 with a 19-10 major decision to take a 4-3 advantage. Louis Mehaffey regained the lead for Montreat at 141, recording a pin in 1:19 before Landon Morrison followed suit at 149 with a fall in 3:35. Robert Branson capped the stretch with a forfeit victory at 157, extending the home team's lead to 21-4.
Emmanuel Ortiz continued the hosts' momentum at 165 pounds, recording the Cavaliers' third pin in 1:47. The Bears were able to grab five points at 174 with an 18-3 technical fall in 5:38, trimming the deficit to 27-9. Montreat then secured back-to-back forfeits as Donovan Cavender claimed the 184-pound bout and Diego Rosas-Ruiz followed at 197. Tafari Parker closed out the evening in the 285-pound class with the team's fourth fall, pinning his foe in 1:09 to seal the Cavs' 45-9 victory.
"Having so many days in between a match allows us to slow down," said Head Coach Jim Connaghan. "The team mentality this year is to be brutal, so we are always ready to go and expecting to win the matches and those 50-50 positions."
The Montreat College men's wrestling team returns to the mat on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Grand View Open in Des Moines, Iowa. Competitions are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
(RV) Montreat College 45, (RV) University of Pikeville 9
125: Sam Gosnell (MC) over Brandon Didat (UPIKE) (Dec 6-5)
133: Ethan Croom (UPIKE) over Alex Lopez (MC) (MD 19-10)
141: Louis Mehaffey (MC) over Bryce Looney (UPIKE) (Fall 1:19)
149: Landon Morrison (MC) over Hayden Canady (UPIKE) (Fall 3:35)
157: Robert Branson (MC) over Unknown (For.)
165: Emmanuel Ortiz (MC) over George Lemaster (UPIKE) (Fall 1:47)
174: No. 21 Chase Price (UPIKE) over Levi Early (MC) (TF 18-3 5:38)
184: Donovan Cavender (MC) over Unknown (For.)
197: Diego Rosas-Ruiz (MC) over Unknown (For.)
285: Tafari Parker (MC) over Lincoln Griffith (UPIKE) (Fall 1:09)
Extra: Craig Theus (MC) over Hayden Canady (UPIKE) (Fall 0:00)
Extra: Robert Branson (MC) over George Lemaster (UPIKE) (TF 20-4 0:00)
