WEST LIBERT, W.Va. – Indian wrestlers drop a tough dual against fellow East Regional Opponent No.19 West Liberty State Friday evening. Close matches were key in coming up victorious as a team in the exciting dual. Many solid performances were not enough as the Hilltoppers won 23-13.
"The team showed great strength and effort tonight," stated head wrestling coach Jason Valek. "Injuries are healing and this provides much needed depth for our team. Although we have yet to secure a full starting lineup, the strength and endurance that they have been showing will help as we enter the home stretch of the season."
Eager to step on the mat for Newberry was 133-pound wrestler Andrew Young. Out due to injury until now, the Indian grappler faced a tough opponent in his first match of the season. After an intense scoreless first period, Matt Mossor of West Liberty State was able to put the first points up in the second period. Young kept the action going through the third but was not able to overcome the deficite. Mosser walked away with a 7-1 win over Young in the exhilarating match-up.
The following match took the same form as 141-pound wrestlers Taylor Gilstrap, and the Hilltoppers Antonio Nicholson battled for takedowns. The very physical match ended with Nicholson defeating Gilstrap 4-0.
As with the previous two matches, Matt Black (149) wrestled solid against his Hilltopper opponent. Black entered the second period with Joey Hagedorn scoreless. Advantage time accumulated as Black showed great control, but he was not able to hold Hagedorn down the entire period. The Hilltopper scored a takedown late in the second and depleated Blacks advantage time. Black was able to score a reversal in the third but the late burst wasn't enough to take the lead, as Hagedorn won the 149-pound match-up 3-2.
Brandon Kelly (157) was able to put three team points on the board for Newberry in his 6-4 win over Justin Goneau. After taking several shots and overcoming controversial calls Kelly was able to get in on the Hilltopper and dominate the action of the match.
Coming up with a big win for the Indians was 195-pound Indian grappler Alonso Azumendi. In a close match with West Liberty State's Joe Patterson, Azumendi was able to control most of the action. Midway through the third period Azumendi took Patterson to his back and pinned the Hilltopper at the 5:59 mark.
Quinn Tolbert came out firing as he took on No.3 nationally ranked Tommy Clark. The sction slowed in the second as the two battled for control. Clark then had a late surge of energy which helped him score on Tolbert and take the victory with a 8-4 final score.
Newberry's 197-pound wrestler Dave Bush wrestled another tough match to add to the long string of challenging duals he has competed in this season. Bush faced-off against Chris Taylor with a solid performance. He showed stength in his conditioning with an action packed third period, but the late surge was not enough to overtake Taylor's lead as he fell to the Hilltopper 3-7.
Kelly Anundson wasted no time during the heavyweight bout. Anundson scored two early takedowns to set the pace of the match. The 14-1 win over Joey McGee of West Liberty State put three more team points up for the Indians making the final score Newbrry 13, West Liberty State 23.
Your Indian grapplers will be returning home to Eleazer Arena for a home dual against UNC Pembroke at 7:00 p.m. on February 8.
Results:
#19 West Liberty State 23, Newberry 13
125: Lucas Huffman (WLS) def. Willie Jarman (NC); T.fall 17-1 (7:00)
133: Matt Mossor (WSL) def. Andrew Young (NC); 7-1
141: Antonio Nicholson (WLS) def. Taylor Gilstrap (NC); 4-0
149: Joey Hagedorn (WLS) def. Matt Black (NC); 3-2
157: Brandon Kelly (NC) def. Justin Goneau (WLS); 6-4
165: Alonso Azumendi (NC) pin. Joe Patterson (WLS); fall 5:59
174: #3 Tommy Clark (WLS) def. Quinn Tolbert (NC); 8-4
184: Chris Gibbs (WLS) def. Leighton Ellis (NC); 6-0
197: Chris Taylor (WLS) def. Dave Bush (NC); 7-3
HWT: Kelly Anundson (NC) def. Joey McGee (WLS); M.dec 14-2
