BELMONT – Scott Bosak's major decision in the 157-pound matchup helped Belmont Abbey storm out to a 17-3 lead, but the 11th-ranked UNC Pembroke wrestling team won each of the night's final five matches, including three by fall, to post a 25-17 victory over the Crusaders on Tuesday evening in the Wheeler Center.
The victory helped the Braves (1-0) extend their school-record winning streak in dual meets out to 13, while also giving the Black & Gold its seventh-straight victory over the Crusaders (0-1). The last dual meet loss for the Braves came to Lake Erie on December 7 of last season.
Patrick Mestrez registered a 14-1 major decision over Dylan Bernier at 125 pounds to open the evening, and Belmont Abbey padded its lead out to 9-0 moments later when the Braves were forced to forfeit the 133-pound match. Defending national champion and top-ranked Daniel Ownbey got the visitors off the mark with an 8-3 decision over Will James at 141 pounds, but Kane Price turned in a 4-2 overtime victory over newcomer Hayden Fry in the 149-pound matchup and the Crusaders took a commanding lead on Bosak's 9-0 win over Reggie Allen.
Juan Stimpson whittled UNCP's team deficit back to 17-6 with an 11-6 decision over Jake Glunt at 165 pounds, and Ridge White followed with a tight 3-2 win over Bo Ransom to get the Braves within striking distance.
Terrence Zaleski delivered a big 15-0 technical fall victory over Patrick Argast at 184 pounds, and Stuart Nadeau gave the visitors the lead for good with a third-period pin (6:07) of Kelly Baker in the 197-pound matchup. Fifth-ranked Chris Giddens would finish off the night with a third-period pin (5:56) of Chaas Delgado.
UNCP will return to action on Sunday when it returns home to host the 34th Annual Pembroke Classic. Wrestling action is set to get underway at 9 a.m. in the English E. Jones Center.
#11 UNCP 25, Belmont Abbey 17
125: Patrick Mestrez (BAC) maj. dec. Dylan Bernier (UNCP) M 14-1
133: Collin Godbout (BAC) forfeit No Entry (UNCP) FOR
141: No. 1 Daniel Ownbey (UNCP) dec. Will James (BAC) D 8-3
149: Kane Price (BAC) dec. Hayden Fry (UNCP) SV 4-2
157: Scott Bosak (BAC) maj. dec. Reggie Allen (UNCP) M 9-0
165: Juan Stimpson (UNCP) dec. Jake Glunt (BAC) D 11-6
174: Ridge White (UNCP) dec. Bo Ransom (BAC) D 3-2
184: Terrence Zaleski (UNCP) tech. fall Patrick Argast (BAC) TF 15-0; 6:15
197: Stuart Nadeau (UNCP) pinned Kelly Baker (BAC) F 6:07
285: No. 8 Chris Giddens (UNCP) pinned Chaas Delgado (BAC) F 5:56
Starting Weight: 125
Records: UNCP 1-0; Belmont Abbey 0-1
