NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Indians recorded five pins, two major decisions, and two decisions in route to a 44-6 victory over the Braves. With nine solid performances, Newberry dominated the home dual meet against fellow East Regional opponent UNC-Pembroke.
“This was a great win for the program,” stated head coach Jason Valek. “The guys were able to turn it up at home and prove that they are here to create an impact on the East Region. They stayed focused during their matches and used their conditioning to control the action. I am impressed with the way they wrestled tonight and look forward to a great dual against Anderson next week to finish off the dual meet season strong.”
Getting the match off to a great start was Alonso Azumendi at 165 pounds. Coming off a great win at West Liberty State, Azumendi kept the momentum going as he faced Cedric Turner of UNC-Pembroke. A solid takedown and two-point nearfall pushed Azumendi to a 4-1 lead starting the second period. The Indian grappler continued to initiate most of the action in the last two periods scoring three more takedowns along with a reversal and three-point nearfall, winning the match 17-5
A takedown right off the whistle set the pace for Quinn Tolbert’s match against Richard Ahlstrom at 174 pounds. Tolbert used his quickness to get in on four more takedowns throughout the match and come away with a 14-6 major decision.
Leighton Ellis (184) started his match off strong against the Braves’ Derek Garris. Dominating the Pembroke wrestler in the first period led to an early second period fall for the Indian grappler at the 3:31 mark. This added six more team points to Newberry’s score raising their lead to 14.
After being taken down early in the first period, 197-pound grappler Dave Bush was able to score a reversal against the Braves’ Matthew Dunn. That was the only lead that Dunn would have as Bush turned him three separate times to finish out the first period. In the second period Bush was able to deplete Dunn’s advantage that he accumulated in the first as he showed great control over the Pembroke wrestler. Bush went on to turn Dunn two more times in the third period before pinning him at the 5:58 mark.
The heavyweight match-up brought six more team points to the board for Newberry as Kelly Anundson dominated the Braves’ James Dingle. Anundson wasted no time as he took down Dingle early in the first period. Dingle scored a quick escape though and the heavyweights were back to their feet. Anundson was quick in his shots and kept the action going with another takedown and two sets of nearfall points before entering the second period. Up 8-1, Anundson chose bottom and got an early escape which he followed by a solid takedown to set up a fall 34 seconds into the period.
Adam Clayton sealed the win for the Indians as he pinned Matthew Shoffner in the first period making the team score 32-0. Quick with his shots, Clayton was able to get in on one after a couple good scrambles with the Braves’ wrestler. Turning Shoffner to his back, Clayton recorded the fall in 2:41. This was Clayton’s first varsity win for the Indians.
In his second action of the season 133-pound Indian grappler Andrew Young picked up his first win in a tough match against Pembroke’s Kevin Jones. Scoreless until the third period, the two wrestlers got into a couple great scrambles and took many shots, but neither was able to finish one. Young chose the down position in the third period and scored promptly with an escape. The intense action stayed neutral through the rest of the third period, with Young coming out victorious with a 1-0 final score.
Dominating his Pembroke opponent, Taylor Gilstrap repeated his teammates action and pinned Adam Deadmon to gain six team points. After a quick takedown in the first, Gilstrap maintained control to end the period. The Newberry grappler governed the action in the second with a reversal and takedown which led to the fall at the 4:25 mark.
Matt Black wrestled a solid match at 149 pounds. The close match was scoreless going into the second period where Black earned three nearfall points by turning the Braves’ Edgardo Hojilla. Black initiated most of the action in the match and received one point for it. With the stalling point, advantage time, and a third period takedown, Black defeated Hojilla 7-1 in the final action of the night.
The Indians next are in action Monday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Eleazer Arena. Newberry will take on Anderson College in their final dual meet action of the season.
Results:
Newberry 44, UNC-Pembroke 6
125: Adam Clayton (NC) pin. Matthew Shoffner (Pem); fall 2:41
133: Andrew Young (NC) def. Kevin Jones (Pem); 1-0
141: Taylor Gilstrap (NC) pin. Adam Dedmon (Pem); fall 4:25
149: Matt Black (NC) def. Edgardo Hojilla (Pem); 7-1
157: Bryan Howington (Pem); win by forfeit
165: Alonso Azumendi (NC) def. Cedric Turner (Pem); M.dec 17-5
174: Quinn Tolbert (NC) def. Richard Ahlstrom (Pem); M.dec 14-6
184: Leighton Ellis (NC) pin. Derek Garris (Pem); fall 3:31
197: Dave Bush (NC) pin. Matthew Dunn (Pem); fall 5:58
HWT: Kelly Anundson (NC) pin. James Dingle (Pem); fall 3:34
