MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team returned to the mat Wednesday as the Crusaders faced Mount Olive in a key East Division at Kornegay Arena.
 
Both teams won five bouts each but it was the Trojans who came away with the 21-20 victory.
 
John Carayiannis (149) and Maxwell Kiel (174) both earned wins via tech fall while Elijah Boyd (133), Kyler Pickard (184) and Caleb Moore (197) all won their bouts via major decision. The match came down to the final bout with the Trojans earning the win. The Crusaders had lost a team point due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
 
Belmont Abbey is 5-5 overall and 5-1 in Conference Carolinas competition. Mount Olive is 8-2 overall and 5-0 in league competition.
 
RESULTS
125: Christian Luker (UMO) def. Dylan Drinkard (BAC) (MD 17-4)
133: Elijah Boyd (BAC) def. Jeffrey Richards (UMO) (MD 17-3)
141: Benjamin Hernandez (UMO) def. Luke Kunath (BAC) (MD 10-2)
149: John Carayiannis (BAC) def. Dylan Pepin (UMO) (TF 18-2 3:00)
157: Jake Nicolosi (UMO) def. Alex Ropski (BAC) (TF 19-4 6:44)
165: Brent Nicolosi (UMO) def. Christian Arrington (BAC) (TF 21-5 6:02)
174: Maxwell Kiel (BAC) def. Colby Teague (UMO) (TF 25-8 6:36)
184: Kyler Pickard (BAC) def. Calan Staub (UMO) (Dec 7-4)
197: Caleb Moore (BAC) def. Raife Smart (UMO) (MD 8-0)
285: Slade Watkins (UMO) def. Mason Kump (BAC) (Dec 1-0)
*(BAC unsportsmanlike -1.0)
 
Extra Match
149: Stone Busler (BAC) def. Christian Orozco (Dec 16-12)
 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders head on the road to compete in the Frostburg State Duals on Sunday in Frostburg, Maryland starting at 11 a.m.
• The Abbey will compete in matches against Pitt-Johnstown, Shippensburg and host Frostburg State.