BRISTOL, TEN. – The Belmont Abbey wrestling team took the 21st national ranked King Tornado to the last bout before the 23-22 final decision. The match was the Crusaders first in the ECAC, now 0-1 in the conference play.
Nathan Oakley kicked off the match with a pin in the 125 weight class and a King forfeit at 133 gave the Abbey a 12-0 lead after two bouts. Troy Gregor managed a 9-1 major decision in the 141 weight class pushing the Crusader lead to 16-0.
After the Tornado won the 149 and 157 bouts, Greg Hilliard pinned his opponent in 45 seconds to capture the 165 weight class, giving Belmont Abbey a 22-6 lead.
King collected a technical fall, decision, and pin in the next three matches so the Crusaders held a 22-20 lead entering the final bout. Chaas Delgado forced a sudden victory scenario before a takedown by King ending the match.
Belmont Abbey will host Coker Nov. 28 inside the Wheeler Center at 7:30 p.m.
