BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team earned a third Conference Carolinas victory after rallying to defeat Montevallo 24-18 Tuesday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.
 
The Crusaders won six total bouts on the day but it was the final three bouts from Kyler Pickard (184), Caleb Moore (197) and Justin Wright that helped the Crusaders seal the victory.
 
Belmont Abbey improves to 3-1 overall, 3-0 in Conference Carolinas action. Montevallo is 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the league.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Montevallo opened the match with a pin at 125.
• The Crusaders went on to win the next three bouts starting with Elijah Boyd (133), Luke Kunath (141) and John Carayiannis.
• Boyd won via major decision while Kunath, who was named Conference Wrestler of the Week earlier in the day, won by decision.
• Carayiannis defeated Nick Dempsey by tech fall.
• Montevallo took the next two matches to take an 18-12 lead with three matches remaining.
• Pickard won via tech fall in his bout at 184 earning a takedown at the end of the second period to clinch it.
• Moore followed that up with a win via major decision to give the Crusaders the lead back.
• Wright had a pair of take downs and an escape to help Belmont Abbey seal the win.

 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders take an extended break from competition for the holidays and will return to action in January.
• Belmont Abbey will travel to Colorado to compete in the Jack Hancock Duals hosted by Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 4.
• The Abbey will return home for a Conference Carolinas tri-match against Limestone and Newberry at 5 p.m. January 8, 2025 at the Wheeler Center.