RALEIGH, N.C. – Ranked Division I competition proved to be too tough for the Indians as they lost two demanding matches at the N.C. State Duals. Newberry was edged out by Gardner-Webb 28-14 and fell to Appalachian State, 29-9.
The first match against Gardner-Webb featured a great start by the Indians early on in the meet. With a few solid performances the Indians led 14-13, until the last few match-ups where Gardner-Webb pulled away. Newberry then faced Appalachian State in a hard fought dual where the Mountaineers emerged as the victors.
With the dual meet starting at 149-pounds, the Indians were down by five points going into the next three matches. After picking up wins at the 157, 165, and 174 pound weight classes the Indians were ahead 11-5. Gardner-Webb took the following two match-ups to pull ahead once again, but not for long. Newberry would regain the lead for the last time at 14-13 by winning the heavyweight bout. The competition was more than the Indians could handle this time at the final three weights, as the Bulldogs came away with the 28-14 win over the Indians.
Newberry got off to a tremendous start against Appalachian State with a fall at 149-pounds. This was not enough though to fend off the Mountaineers as they went on to win eight of the ten individual matches. An overtime win at 174-pounds added the last three points to the Indians score in the 29-9 loss against Appalachian State.
In his first day of varsity action, freshman Matt Black (149) recorded a fall to bring down Nick Lukacs of Appalachian State in the second period at the 4:19 mark. Black went 1-1 on the day a he was able to score six valuable team points for the Indians in their battle at the NC State Duals.
Also recording a 1-1 record for the duals meet was Brandon Kelly at the 157 pound weight class. Kelly faced-off with two very tough competitors in Adam Glaser of Gardner-Webb and Scott Ervin from Appalachian State. He controlled the match with Glaser which led to a 5-4 victory over the Bulldog grappler. The Mountaineers Ervin was quick to counter shots as Kelly initiated most of the action through the match.
Alonso Azumendi was able two wrestle strong through both of his matches going 1-1 on the day. Scoring bonus points for the team, Azumendi scored a technical fall against Gardner-Webb’s David Pelsang. Azumendi was up 8-1 going into the third period where he was able to score ten more point to win the score of 18-3. He then went on to wrestle the Mountaineers William Houghton in a close match. A controversial call in the second period led to an action packed third where Azumendi initiated most of the action. Unable to get in on one last shot, Azumendi fell to Houghton 9-7.
Heavyweight wrestler Kelly Anundson split a pair of close matches with his Gardner-Webb and Appalachian State opponents. Scoring a takedown in each period Anundson was able to put three more team points on the board for Newberry as he defeated the Bulldog’s Brandon Schweitzer 7-3. The Mountaineers Carlton Campbell came up on the winning end in Anundson’s last match of the day, where an action packed first period was too much to overcome.
Quinn Tolbert (174) was the lone Indian to go undefeated for the day. Tolbert had two very close matches where he was able to show consistency and used his conditioning to help him through. Putting three team points on the board for the Indians, Tolbert defeated Chad Davis of Gardner-Webb 5-2. He took his second match with Neal Martin of Appalachian State into overtime where he won in the tie breaker 2-1.
The Indians are now 3-4 in dual meet action. Their four losses came from The Citadel, NC State, Gardner-Webb, and Appalachian State, all of which are NCAA Division I programs. Newberry currently has an undefeated 2-0 record against Division II opponents this season.
The Indians will be in action next on Wed., January 11, at Belmont Abbey. They hope to continue their success against East Region Division II competition in Charlotte, N.C. facing-off against the Crusaders.
Results:
Newberry 14 Gardner-Webb 28
125 Courtney Robert (GW) pin. Willie Jarman (NC); fall 1:17
133 Josh Pniewski (GW) T.Fall. Alvin Simmons (NC); 16-1(7:00)
141 Anthony Renteria (GW) M.dec. Taylor Gilstrap (NC); 9-0
149 Daniel Elliot (GW) T.Fall. Matt Black (NC); 18-3 (4:39)
157 Brandon Kelly (NC) dec. Adam Glaser (GW); 5-4
165 Alonso Azumendi (NC) T.Fall. David Pelsang (GW); 18-3 (7:00)
174 Quinn Tolbert (NC) dec. Chad Davis (GW); 5-2
184 Brandon Beach (GW) M.dec. Leighton Ellis (NC); 8-0
197 Brent Blackwell (GW) M.dec. Dave Bush (NC); 12-1
HWT Kelly Anundson (NC) dec. Brandon Schweitzer (GW); 7-3
Newberry 9 Appalachian State 29
125 Tywana Holley (AS) M.dec. Willie Jarman (NC); 20-7
133 Terreyl Williams (AS) M.dec. Alvin Simmons (NC); 11-2
141 Ryan Scott (AS) M.dec. Taylor Gilstrap (NC); 10-2
149 Matt Black (NC) pin. Nick Lukacs (AS); fall 4:18
157 Scott Ervin (AS) M.dec. Brandon Kelly (NC); 9-1
165 William Houghton (AS) dec. Alonso Azumendi (NC); 9-7
174 Quinn Tolbert (NC) dec. Neal Martin (AS); 2-1 TB1
184 Kevin Worsowicz (AS) M.dec. Leighton Ellis (NC); 12-1
197 Josh Carroll (AS) dec. Dave Bush (NC); 5-0
HWT Carlton Campbell (AS) dec. Kelly Anundson (NC); 12-5
