NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Indian grapplers ended their regular season campaign with a huge win at home against the Trojans of Anderson College. Newberry currently sits in the No. 7 spot in the East Regional rankings and is closely followed by Anderson in the No. 8 position. The dual proved to be a great match-up as the two schools battled for the victory. Both teams won five match-ups each, but it was the Indians who were able to score more bonus points to come through with an exciting 23-21 win.
“The team stepped up tonight and worked hard for the win,” stated head coach Jason Valek. “Their steady conditioning and hard work in practice paid off. I am looking forward to this effort to carrying over into the post season. We will continue to work hard during the next two weeks to prepare for the East Regional tournament. This was a great way to end the regular season at home and the undefeated mark will give us one more thing to strive for in the seasons to come.”
The dual meet started out at the 157-pound weight class where Anderson took an early lead. The Trojans extended the lead to 12-0 with a solid match at the 165-pound weight class. After two falls the Newberry grapplers were forced to wrestle smart and go for bonus points to even the score.
Quinn Tolbert (174) took on the challenge as he faced Anderson’s Hunter Garner. Tolbert dominated the match scoring five takedowns. Showing great conditioning, Tolbert picked up the pace as the match went into the second and third periods. The Indian’s quick shots were too much for Garner as Tolbert came through with a 14-3 major decision.
Adding three team points to the board for Newberry was Leighton Ellis (184) as he helped put the Indians to within five points of Anderson. Ellis wrestled a solid match against Anderson’s Jeremy Smith. After a scoreless first period Ellis was the first to score offensive points and went into the third period with a 3-0 lead. As he continued to initiate the action in the third, Ellis was awarded a penalty point and went up 4-0. Smith had a late surge to bring the match within reach, but it was not enough as Ellis pulled through with the 4-3 win.
The 197-pound weight class brought another close match-up as Newberry’s Dave Bush took on Dayo Scott of Anderson. The two were on their feet fighting for control through the first period and most of the second before Scott was able to takedown Bush late in the period. Bush brought the match to within one point as he scored an escape in the third period. He was not able to get in on a shot though as the match ended 3-2 in Scott’s favor.
Heavyweight Kelly Anundson brought the Indians within two as he governed the mat in his match-up with Aaron Lambert. Anundson quickly took Lambert down in the first period and maintained control into the second. After choosing bottom in the second the Indian wrestler escaped and took Lambert down for the second time. Anundson used his conditioning to keep the pressure on the Trojan wrestler throughout the match. After racking up three nearfall points in the third period, Lambert was hit with his fourth stalling call. That combined with a penalty in the first period disqualified Anderson’s Lambert at the 6:37 mark.
Adam Clayton emerged with another big win in his match-up at 125 pounds. Clayton dominated the match as he scored ten points in the first period against the Trojans’ Tyler Davis. The matched slowed down in the second as the two fought for control with many scrambles. Quick with his shots Clayton was able to score two more takedowns in the third period to come through with the 18-7 major decision. The Indian grappler earned four team points to put Newberry in the lead 17-15.
The Trojans answered Clayton’s win with two of their own as they secured victories at 133 and 141 pounds. Andrew Young (133) was faced with a tough match against Tony DiCarlo of Anderson. DiCarlo was able to score a couple quick takedowns on Young late in each period to secure the 8-1 win.
Taylor Gilstrap got off to an impressive start in the 141-pound match-up as he took down Nick DiCarlo of Anderson midway through the first period after a tough scramble. With an escape in the first and one in the second for the Trojan wrestler the score was tied at two with Gilstrap having advantage time in his favor. A late surge of energy helped DiCarlo to a 4-2 win over Gilstrap with a third period takedown.
Anderson was up 21-17 going into the final match-up at 149 pounds. Matt Black wasted no time against the Trojans’ Tim Sexton as he scored a fast takedown and had Sexton turned for nearfall. As the crowd cheered Black on with hopes of a fall the two grapplers went out-of-bounds. After they re-set Black continued to go to work and turned Sexton once again. As the referee hit the mat for the fall the fans jumped out of their seats. Black’s fall posted six more points to Newberry’s team score propelling them past Anderson with 23-21 final.
The Indians will begin their quest for post season honors as they travel to Kutztown, Pa., Feb. 25-26 for the East Regional Qualifying tournament.
Results:
Newberry 23, Anderson 21
125: Adam Clayton (NC) def. Tyler Davis (AC); M.dec 18-7
133: Tony DiCarlo (AC) def. Andrew Young (NC); 8-1
141: Nick DiCarlo (AC) def. Taylor Gilstrap (NC); 4-2
149: Matt Black (NC) pin. Tim Sexton (AC); fall 2:09
157: Herb Porter (AC) pin. Joey Robinson (NC); fall 1:37
165: Matt Godwin (AC) pin. Jordan Martin (NC); fall 4:51
174: Quinn Tolbert (NC) def. Hunter Garner (AC); M.dec 14-3
184: Leighton Ellis(NC) def. Jeremy Smith (AC); 4-3
197: Dayo Scott (AC) def. Dave Bush (NC); 2-3
HWT: Kelly Anundson (NC) def. Aaron Lambert (AC); DQ 6:37
