­­GREENWOOD - The Lander wrestling team began its tenure as a member of the South Atlantic Conference Carolina with a bang, as it took down Queens 32-13 in the season opener.

The Bearcats used three pinfalls in total to help dominate the Royals.

Lander began the match with one of those pinfalls, as sophomore Austin Ross pinned his opponent early in the first period.

Queens would take a 9-6 lead after the first three matches before sophomore Bryson Ethington would pull out the second pinfall for the Blue and Gold in the second period to put Lander back up 12-9.

Sophomore Chandler Smalley and redshirt sophomore Jack Bond both won by major decision. Bond took down Noah Curreri, who is currently ranked seventh by the Open Matt in the 174-weight class and ranked first in the latest NWCA Coaches Super Region II ranking at that weight class.

Sophomore Ryan Humel earned a decision to add to the Bearcats lead at the 184-weight class.

Sophomore Darius Parker earned a 5-2 decision over the Hunter Tobiasson, who is currently ranked second in the 197-weight class in the latest NWCA Coaches Super Region II rankings. Parker is currently ranked first in the 197-weight class.

Redshirt sophomore Cameron Coffman earned the final pinfall for the Bearcats to close out the night, as he took down his opponent with 1:49 left in the first period.

Lander is back in action next Friday as it hosts Belmont Abbey at Finis Horne Arena for a 7 pm start.

#cLawsUp | @LanderWrestling