MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive wrestling team fell to the Wolves of Newberry College 37-11 Sunday afternoon in a South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Dual. The contest was the first competition for any UMO Athletics program since March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of sports.

INSIDE THE RESULTS
The match started at the 125 weight class and saw freshman Lens Mathurin fall via pin in the opening period. Hayden Waddell came back to score three points for the Trojans with a 7-2 decision in the 133 match.

UMO won the 149 match before surrendering the next four matches as the home Trojans were down 31-6. The final stroke of power for Mount Olive came in the 197 match. Micah Dixon scored the most points for the Trojans with a tech fall of 16-1 over Brandon Dickman.

The hill at that point was too tall to climb and the Trojans fell 37-11.

COACHES COMMENTS
“I thought some guys wrestled to their level, but others did not. We need a better team effort, but I believe in our guys and I think they will come back stronger. We need to get better at mat strategy, which will come with experience,” said UMO head coach Dan Willis. “It is great coaching at the collegiate level and it’s a dream come true, but I have also surrounded myself with a good coaching staff that will work together to get us to where we need to be.”

UP NEXT
Mount Olive will next compete in Gaffney, South Carolina where the Trojans will take on both Limestone College and UNC Pembroke on Jan. 17 at 1/3 p.m.