GAFFNEY – Newberry earned the inaugural South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Championship with a heart-pounding, come-from-behind 19-17 win at Limestone Thursday evening.
 
Newberry (12-3, 6-0 SACC) found themselves down 17-13 after the 197-pound match with one match to go. The fate of the season rested upon Patton Gossett's (285) shoulders, knowing that a technical fall or fall would win the dual and the conference championship. Gossett got two quick points off Daniel Bland and from there, Gossett made his move and got the fall in :40.
 
With the win, Newberry secured its fourth consecutive conference championship. The previous three conference championships were won in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC). The final comes in the inaugural season of South Atlantic Conference Carolinas.
 
It was a closely contested dual throughout the night, with neither team able to gain much of an advantage. Austin Neal (125) found himself in a tough match against James Sass. The two battled hard for the entirety of the period but Sass came away with a 6-4 win by decision. The Wolves answered back as Timmy Martinez (133) carried his six-match win streak to hold on and get a close 3-2 decision over Sha'Mun Smith.
 
The Wolves were able to go up 7-3 as Isiah Royal (141) dominated Andrew McKahan, getting an 11-3 major decision. The Saints answered back as Matt Rose took a 10-2 major decision over David Giantono to make it 7-7.
 
Newberry was able to gain the edge as Austin Palmer (157) wrestled a full hard seven minutes. Palmer was able to maintain a steady pace and had enough endurance to come away with a 7-6 decision win over Sean Glasgow. Limestone was able to get the lead right back in the following match. Matthew Rodriguez-Kirkland was able to get a 12-1 major decision over Nick Giantono (165) to give the Saints an 11-10 lead.
 
Limestone would increase their lead during the 174 weight class. Joey Rocca fell to Garrett Beam in a close 8-5 decision. Beam built up a large advantage during the early stages, threatening to win in a runaway, but Rocca fought back to limit the Limestone gain to three points.
 
ZeBrandon Gant (184) was able to halt the Saints' run, picking up an 11-7 decision victory over Anthony Collins to make the team score 14-13 in favor of Limestone. Limestone was able to push their lead to four points as Clif Decius got an 12-5 decision over Brandon Dickman (197). Dickman, who typically appears at lighter weight classes, was called upon to wrestle a in class he was not familiar with and fared well for himself.
 
The Wolves will be in action next Friday as they travel to Harstville for the Super Region 2 Tournament hosted by Coker. Action is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m.