PEMBROKE, N.C. - Men's wrestling splits the day, placing third in the Conference Carolina Championship.

Facing nationally ranked #2 Lander in the first round of the conference championship tournament, the Wolves fell 10-33. Finding the victory column were three upsets by 174 Ib Andrew Reed, 184 Ib Jacoby Benjamin and 197 Ib John Parker. Reed defeated #16 (The Open Mat) Brandon Matthews with a 9-6 decision victory. On Thursday, Reed was named second team all conference over Matthews but still remained unranked. Immediately after, Benjamin owned the entire match-up against #17 (The Open Mat) Jack Bond with a statement 10-1 major decision. The final victory came from Parker via a 5-1 decision. Parker was awarded a ride point during the match as he stayed on top of #7 (NWCA) Anthony Yacovetti for over two minutes. Like Reed, Parker was also awarded second team all conference this season, losing the first team spot to Yacovetti.

125 Ib Zach Shupp came within inches of upsetting the #1 in the nation, James Joplin. Joplin emerged victorious only by a 6-2 decision. at 157, freshman Keagan Judd made himself know, standing his ground against #17 (The Open Mat) Jack Tangen. Judd and Tangen traded a total of five reversals, three of which came from Judd. Up until the third period, the match was within a take downs reach. Ultimately Tangen's experience got the better of Judd resulting in a 9-19 loss. 

The Wolves second match of the day against King was a much needed answer. Shupp proved what someone that went toe-to-toe with the #1 in the nation can do, earning the wolves their first tech fall of the day in 4:21. Freshman Ben Guilliam bounced back after his loss, delivering a dominant fall in 2:10 moving the score total to 11-0. 149 Ib Devan Moore got the job done in sudden victory with a take down over Demetri Teddlie moving the score to 14-3. Judd the reversal king himself did it again, notching two more on the day for himself with an impressive 12-5 victory over Brennan Watkins, giving the Wolves three more points. Reed awarded the Wolves four points after a 11-3 major decision victory setting the score 21-6. Parker added one more fall to his career season in 1:39 setting the score 27-9. Devon Rice finished the day off for Newberry with a 4-0 decision victory over Jacob Telles, solidifying the victory.

With Newberry's win over King, the Wolves earned a third place finish in the conference championship. The team got some well needed experience as they prepare themselves for the Super Region II championship next Saturday.