NEWBERRY, S.C. - In its final home match of the season, the No. 4 nationally ranked Newberry College wrestling team closed out their home season with a resounding bang by shutting out Anderson, 42-0, in front of 221 rowdy fans.
The shutout is the sixth for the Wolves this season and the 19th in their seven-year wrestling history. Newberry improves to 19-3-1 on the season while the Trojans fall to 8-17. Between the 157 and 165 lbs. matches, the Wolves took time to honor the four seniors who have helped the program grow to one of national prominence. Dustin Harvey (Marietta, Ga.), Curtis Chenoweth (Lawrence, Kansas), Josh Whitelock (Rhodesdale, Md.) and Bryant Blanton (Summerville, S.C.) were honored in a ceremony at the halfway mark of the dual.
Connor McDonald (Rehoboth, Del.) gave the Newberry faithful reason to cheer from the beginning of his 125 lbs. match. The junior took the fight to Cody Monteforte from the opening whistle, scoring a takedown and a three point near-fall in the first 1:30 of the first period. After an escape from Monteforte, McDonald scored another takedown at the 2:34 mark and was able to pin the Trojan just seven seconds later.
Also scoring a lopsided victory was BJ Young (Jackson, N.J.) in his 133 lbs. contest. Young built up a commanding 10-2 lead through the first period and added another three points in the second. The freshman would score six more in an abbreviated third period to take the win by a technical fall, 19-2. The win marked Young's fifth technical fall of the season, good for the team lead in that category.
After Deral Brown (Elgin, S.C.) scored a win by way of a forfeit, Seiji Borja (Charleston, S.C.) took the mat for the Wolves in the 149 lbs. weight class. His opponent was Dalton Harper, and the ensuing battle was a fierce one, with both competitors having picked up a total of seven state championships in the state of South Carolina while in high school.
Heading into the second, Borja found himself down 2-1 but scored a quick escape point to knot matters at two. Borja scored a takedown later in the period to take the lead for good. The freshman added a riding time point for a 5-3 victory and the third dual match win of his career.
Sean Byrnes (Jackson, N.J.) found himself up against Nick Giulliette in the 157 lbs. bout. Byrnes took a 2-0 lead into the second and added another takedown in the second before scoring a reversal in the third and posting another points thanks to over four minutes of riding time in the bout. Byrnes becomes the second Newberry grappler to register 30 wins on the season with his victory.
Keeping the shutout going at the 165 lbs. weight class was Blake Ridenour (Maryville, Tenn.). The redshirt freshman thrashed Brian Onofrio their battle, not allowing the Trojan to score an offensive point in the entire match. Ridenour had a 7-1 lead heading into the third and added another five in final frame to earn his fifth major decision of the season.
Moving up one weight class was Braden Carter (Christiansburg, Va.). The redshirt freshman got the nod as well as the victory against Will Sutton. After a quiet first period, Carter began his offensive onslaught in the second by scoring eight points throughout the course of the frame. Carter added another trio of scores to earn an 11-1 major decision and his seventh victory of the season.
Blanton's latest victim at the 184 lbs. class would be Sean O'Connell. The defending national champion scored four points in the first period and would cruise to victory by scoring an additional four points in the final two periods of the match for a major decision victory. The senior scored his 32nd victory of the season, moving into sixth place all time in terms of wins in a season.
The shutout looked to be in danger when Karl Reed (Mount Laurel, N.J.) found himself down 5-1 against Jordan Denmark heading into the second period. The junior began his comeback by tacking on three points in the second. Still down by one heading into the third, Reed put his foot on the gas and scored ten points in the final frame including eight by near fall calls. Reed would go on to win the match, 14-6 to earn his 22nd victory of the season.
Wrestling in his first match since the beginning of February, Jake Elkins (Trussville, Ala.) ended things for the scarlet and gray. Elkins and Chase Duke were tied 1-1 heading into the third before Elkins was able to exploit a mistake by Duke. With 34 seconds remaining in regulation, Elkins scored a vital takedown to earn a 3-1 victory which marked his 24th victory of the season.
The Wolves next action will take place in Erie, Pa., as they take part in the Super Region I Tournament hosted by Gannon University. Newberry is the three-time defending champion in the event and will look to send another pack of representatives to the NCAA Division II National Championship with some strong wrestling in Erie.
