NEWBERRY, S.C. – Everyone who has been on the campus of Newberry College knows how Eleazer Arena rocks for Indian basketball games.  But for the first time in school history on Wednesday evening, there was a different kind of rocking going on in the same hollowed space, as the Newberry wrestling program held their first ever home match against Spartanburg Methodist.  While SMC prevailed this night, 26-13, the Newberry fans were treated to a preview of the coming years as the Indians transition to full Division II status.

This inaugural evening of wrestling started with two preliminary matches, before the festivities of record commenced.  Notching the first home win in Newberry history was 165 lbs. grappler Trevon Fordham (N. Charleston, S.C.), who won a decision over Spartanburg Methodist’s Alonzo Azumundi in the third match of the meet. “It felt good just to win my match,” said an emotional Fordham.  “It will always be special to win the first match in Newberry history.”

In the very next match Quinn Tolbert (Summerville, S.C.), currently ranked as the number seven overall wrestler according to the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), notched a decision win over SMC’s Brent Pointer in the 174 lbs. class.

Newberry’s highest profile grappler, the NCWA’s number five ranked Andrew Young (Summerville, S.C.), absolutely dominated his opponent, Spartanburg’s Tony Butler, winning by decision in the 125 lbs. match.  There was no way for Newberry to come back mathematically in the final match of the evening, but that didn’t stop Tony Washington (Georgetown, S.C.) from turning in an inspiring performance, defeating Michael Franks by major decision in the 141 lbs. bout.  Washington currently holds the number nine spot, according to the NCWA. 

The only pin of the night was notched by Spartanburg Methodist’s Josh Sabbath in the heavyweight division over Newberry’s Tavian Daniels (Columbia, S.C.).  A technical fall was awarded to SMC’s Mark Arnold over Indian wrestler Michael Walker (Columbia, S.C.).

The Indians will travel to the Apprentice School Tournament in Virginia this Saturday.  Newberry’s next home meet will take place on February 5th against Catawba and Georgia Tech.