ANDERSON, S.C. – Using a pair of decisions in the final two bouts, Belmont Abbey rallied to slip past Anderson, 23-22, in NCAA Division II wrestling action Wednesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
The two teams battled to a 22-22 stalemate, but Belmont Abbey earned the victory based on tiebreaker criteria with six individual wins, while Anderson (3-9) garnered four.
“This was a rare opportunity to steal a dual meet when only four guys win their matches,” said Anderson head coach Dock Kelly. “We need everyone to give maximum effort every time in order to be successful. We need to make some adjustments and we will address those immediately .”
Belmont Abbey’s Patrick Mestrez gave the Crusaders an early 4-0 lead with an 11-3 decision in the 125-pound bout, but Anderson freshman Zak Hale evened the match at four apiece with an equally convincing 13-1 win at 133 pounds.
Following a win by Belmont Abbey at 141 pounds, the Trojans claimed their first lead of the night, 10-7, as junior Ian Harper collected a forfeit at 149 pounds. Belmont Abbey’s Brandon Wilkins posted an 8-4 decision in the 157-pound bout to knot the score at 10-10, but Trojan freshman Jamal Lackey pinned the Crusaders’ Markus Cromwell with just 13 seconds left in their 165-pound matchup, as AU reclaimed a brief 16-10 advantage.
Junior Joseph Maumoynier answered for Belmont Abbey, pinning Anderson’s Robbey Pye at the 6:27 mark of their 174-pound matchup to tie the team score at 16-16. AU freshman Zack Farmer responded by pinning BAC freshman Westley Ruffer at 6:37, but the Crusaders closed out the match by garnering decisions at 197 pounds and heavyweight, respectively, to claim the victory.
Anderson has little time to rest, as the Trojans get back on the mats Saturday at Limestone. The match is slated for noon in Gaffney.