UMO wins thrilling conference opener at Emmanuel, 20-19
FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. (Nov. 8) – Redshirt sophomore Jayln McClammy anchored the Trojans with a critical 12-4 major decision at heavyweight, as the University of Mount Olive men's wrestling team edged Emmanuel by a 20-19 margin in Conference Carolinas action on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 1-0 overall and earned its first win in league action after being selected fourth in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll. It marks the first season that the Conference Carolinas will solely sponsor the sport between two divisions with 14 programs competing. Meanwhile, the Lions drop to 0-1 in dual meets with an identical record in conference play.
At 125, junior Lens Mathurin built an early 3-0 advantage for the Trojans following an 11-5 decision over Alex McMiller in the first match of the night. He established a 5-1 advantage following the first period and a four-point near fall in the third sealed the win. In the 133-weight class, redshirt freshman Logan Tortual held a 6-5 edge after the initial period before Eli Holton registered a fall at the 4:30 mark to put the Lions ahead, 6-3. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Robinson, a 2023 national qualifier, responded with an 11-7 win at 141 to tie the meet at 6-6 before Davin Lundquist of Emmanuel posted a narrow 13-12 decision against senior Isaiah Olive in the 149-weight class.
With the Lions leading 9-6, No. 12 nationally ranked junior Jake Nicolosi made his first appearance of the season and dominated with a first-period pin at 157 to flip the advantage back to UMO, 12-9. At 165, Emmanuel registered an 8-3 decision to tie the meet at 12-12. No. 7 ranked Calan Staubalso made his debut for Mount Olive this season and delivered a critical 17-8 major decision with eight points in the third period to give the edge back to UMO, 16-12. The Lions answered back with a 2-1 decision at 184 and an 11-3 major decision in the 197-weight class to extend the lead to 19-16. Entering the final match, the Trojans need a major decision or better to escape with the win. McClammy responded with a dominant 12-4 major decision to earn four points and secure the 20-19 victory.