MONTREAT, N.C. — The Montreat College men's wrestling team kicked off its home slate and dual schedule on Thursday evening with a 28-13 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) triumph over the WVU Tech Golden Bears. Racking up six victories across 10 matches inside McAlister Gymnasium, the Cavaliers began the year at 1-0 (1-0 AAC) while dropping the visitors to 0-1 (0-1 AAC).
 
Sam Gosnell's 6-2 decision at 125 put the home side in front, 3-0, right out of the gate. The visitors fought back with a 10-1 major decision in the 133-pound weight class to seize a 4-3 edge, but the Cavs responded with wins at 141 and 149. Jaylen Bethea pinned his foe in 1:28 during the former bout, while 13^th-ranked Boedi Kirkland garnered a 10-4 decision in the latter clash. The results established a 12-4 advantage for Montreat.
 
WVU Tech clawed its way to within 12-7 after claiming a decision in the 157-pound matchup, though the two squads continued to exchange wins, keeping the Cavaliers ahead. Emmanuel Ortiz delivered a 15-3 major decision at 165, and the Golden Bears bagged a 5-2 decision at 174. With just three bouts to go, Montreat maintained a 16-10 lead.
 
Donovan Cavender's forfeit in the 184-pound slot and Aiden Frank's pin at 285 helped clinch victory for the hosts. Each tacked on six points to the team's final tally, with Frank earning his total behind a 5:38 effort. A 5-0 decision at 197 wasn't nearly enough for the visitors to erase the deficit, and the Cavs sealed their triumph with a 28-13 scoreline.
 
"It's a starting point for sure," said Head Coach Jim Connaghan. "Not everything was perfect. Effort was what we were looking for today. We're going to win most of our matches off that, and so big effort was all I was looking for right now."
 
The Montreat College men's wrestling team returns to McAlister Gymnasium for another AAC dual on Tuesday, Nov. 10, versus the University of Pikeville Bears. Bouts are set to start at 7 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.
 
(RV) Montreat College 28, WVU Tech 13
125: Sam Gosnell (MC) over David Maxson (WVUT) (Dec 6-2)
133: Noah Krauss (WVUT) over Alex Lopez (MC) (MD 10-1)
141: Jaylen Bethea (MC) over Blayson Jordan (WVUT) (Fall 1:28)
149: No. 13 Boedi Kirkland (MC) over Carson Easlick (WVUT) (Dec 10-4)
157: Jaxson Young (WVUT) over Landon Morrison (MC) (Dec 13-6)
165: Emmanuel Ortiz (MC) over Zalen McCraw (WVUT) (MD 15-3)
174: Curtis Smith (WVUT) over Levi Early (MC) (Dec 5-2)
184: Donovan Cavender (MC) over Unknown (For.)
197: Joseph Cowger (WVUT) over Diego Rosas-Ruiz (MC) (Dec 5-0)
285: Aiden Frank (MC) over William Stricklin (WVUT) (Fall 5:38)
Extra: Craig Theus (MC) over Kaden Riggleman (WVUT) (Fall 0:00)
Extra: Connor Olivares (MC) over Isaac Slater (WVUT) (Fall 0:00)