PEMBROKE, N.C. - Men's wrestling is slated to take on nationally ranked #2 Lander in the first round of the Conference Carolians championship tomorrow, Feb. 18 at UNC Pembroke.

The Wolves and Bearcats are no strangers to each other, meeting four times in program history. The first two match-ups in 2019- 2020 and 2020-2021 Newberry emerged victorious but in the previous two seasons, the Bearcats came out on top. Previously this season, the Wolves saw their only conference loss at the hands of UNC Pembroke. On the opposite side, Lander remained undefeated in conference matches, defeating both Pembroke and King. King fell at the hands of the Wolves earlier this season and are slated to take on UNC Pembroke in their first round tomorrow as well. Both winners will compete for the title and the losers will compete for third.

Individually, the #1 spot in the national goes to 125 Ib James Joplin and165 Ib David Hunsberger. Other Bearcats ranked are #9 at the 133 Ib class is Elijah Lusk, #9 at 141 Ibs, Isham Peace, #9 at 149 Ib Zeth Brower, #7 at 197 Ibs Anthony Yacovetti and #4 at 285 Ib Juan Edmond-Holmes.

Outside of #11 Devon Rice, no Wolves are currently ranked in the top 12 according to the NWCA. On the other hand the Wolves still roster returning All-American at 149 Ib Devan Moore and national qualifiers Zach Shupp and P.J. Wunderlich. 197 Ib John Parker ranks ninth in the nation in pins with seven and Moore ranks seventh in the nation in tech falls with eight.

The first match will begin at 11 A.M. followed by the two losers of the first match facing off at 1 P.M. then the winners facing off at 3 P.M.