GREENWOOD, S.C. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team got its first taste of the postseason by making its first appearance in the Conference Carolinas Wrestling Championship Sunday at Lander's Finis Horne Arena.

Belmont Abbey finished in fourth after falling 29-13 in the semifinals to No. 1 West division seed Lander and 44-4 in the consolation match to Mount Olive.

In the semifinals, the Crusaders earned four victories with John Carayiannis earning a major decision win at 149 pounds over Reid Noble. Additionally, Elijah Boyd (133), Maxwell Kiel (174) and Kyler Pickard (184) earned wins in the bout against the Bearcats.

In the consolation match against the Trojans, Cole Townsend earned a major decision win to lead the way for the Abbey.

RESULTS
Semifinal vs. No. 1 West Seed Lander
Lander 29, Belmont Abbey 13                                                               Running Score
125: Kaden Kuenzi (LU) def. Brett Balzan (BAC) (Fall 1:18)                               LU 6-0
133: Elijah Boyd (BAC) def. Christian Davis (LU) (Dec 4-2)                                LU 6-3
141: Isham Peace (LU) def. Luke Kunath (BAC) (Fall 0:54)                                LU 12-3
149: John Carayiannis (BAC) def. Reid Noble (LU) (MD 17-4)                           LU 12-7                
157: Noah Roulo (LU) def. William Nix (BAC) (MD 15-5)                                    LU 16-7
165: David Hunsberger (LU) def. Christian Arrington (BAC) (TF 16-0 5:29)       LU 21-7
174: Maxwell Kiel (BAC) def. Nathan Buckovich (LU) (Dec 5-3)                         LU 21-10
184: Kyler Pickard (BAC) def. Anthony Giampietro (LU) (Dec 6-1)                     LU 21-13
197: Marvelous Rutledge (LU) def. Jayden Malecki (BAC) (MD 16-4)                LU 25-13
285: Isaac Sheeren (LU) def. Mason Kump (BAC) (MD 14-3)                             LU 29-13
 
Third Place Match vs. No. 1 East Seed Mount Olive    
Mount Olive 44, Belmont Abbey 4                                                                Running Score
125: Christian Luker (UMO) over Daniel Graham (BAC) (Fall 1:42)                       UMO 6-0
133: Eli Pendergrass (UMO) over Zach Bergman (BAC) (TF 22-4 5:54)                UMO 11-0
141: Benjamin Hernandez (UMO) def. Dylan Drinkard (BAC) (Dec 9-5)                 UMO 14-0
149: Dylan Pepin (UMO) def. Justin Knapp (BAC) (Fall 4:41)                                 UMO 20-0
157: Jake Nicolosi (UMO) def. Alex Ropski (BAC) (TF 21-6 2:56)                           UMO 25-0
165: Brent Nicolosi (UMO) def. Caden Brandenburg (BAC) (Fall 1:47)                   UMO 31-0
174: Cole Townsend (BAC) def. Colby Teague (UMO) (MD 15-4)                           UMO 31-4
184: Calan Staub (UMO) won by forfeit                                                                    UMO 37-4
197: Raife Smart (UMO) def. Jayden Malecki (BAC) (Dec 10-6)                              UMO 40-4
285: John Domencic (UMO) def. Justin Wright (BAC) (MD 10-2)                              UMO 44-4

ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES

• Following the consolation match, Belmont Abbey received a trophy as the East Division co-champions as well as the All-Conference honorees receiving their plaques.
• The five all-conference honorees are three second-team selections: Luke Kunath (141), John Carayiannis (149) and Caleb Moore (197) and two third team-selections in Elijah Boyd (133) and Maxwell Kiel (174).  

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will prepare for the NCAA Super Region II Championships slated to be held on March 1st at 9 a.m. in Pembroke, North Carolina.