BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team got the 2026 calendar year off to a good start thanks to a 30-17 victory over Mount Olive Friday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.
The Crusaders won the first five bouts of the match against the Trojans that included a
Skyler Caban victory by fall and a sudden victory by
William Nix in the 149 and 157-pound weight classes, respectively.
Freshman
Kyle Simpson got the match started with a win via decision while
Elijah Carrington and
Luke Kunath earned major decision victories to help propel the Abbey. Belmont Abbey closed out the match with a major decision win by
Kyler Pickard (184) and another pin from
Caleb Moore (197).
With the result, Belmont Abbey improves to 4-4 overall and 4-1 in Conference Carolinas competition. Mount Olive is now 5-5 and 3-2 in the league.
RESULTS
Belmont Abbey 30, Mount Olive 17
Bout Running Score
125:
Kyle Simpson (BAC) def. Christian Decatur (UMO) (Dec 1-0) BAC 3-0
133:
Elijah Carrington (BAC) def. Brock Christian (UMO) (MD 10-2) BAC 7-0
141:
Luke Kunath (BAC) def. Benjamin Hernandez (UMO) (MD 12-4) BAC 11-0
149:
Skyler Caban (BAC) def. Gable Pauole (UMO) (Fall 3:44) BAC 17-0
157:
William Nix (BAC) def. Hunter Newell (UMO) (SV-1 4-1) BAC 20-0
165: Brent Nicolosi (UMO) def.
Austin Marry (BAC) (TF 16-1 4:41) BAC 20-5
174: Cole Hivnor (UMO) def.
Palmer Smith (BAC) (Fall 2:03) BAC 20-11
184:
Kyler Pickard (BAC) def. Jack MacKiernan (UMO) (MD 11-3) BAC 24-11
197:
Caleb Moore (BAC) def. Nathan Hampton (UMO) (Fall 2:16) BAC 30-11
285: John Domencic (UMO) def.
Nate Carnes (BAC) (MF) BAC 30-17
Extra Matches
125:
Jacob Dusche (BAC) def. Luke Green (UMO) (Medical Forfeit)
157:
Alex Ropski (BAC) def. Christian Orozco (UMO) (TF 18-3 6:06)
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey returns to the mat for another Conference Carolinas match against Coker.
- The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at the Wheeler Center.
