NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Lander wrestling team came narrowly close to taking down No.19 Newberry College for the SACC title Saturday afternoon, but unfortunately fell 22-21.

Lander drops to 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the SACC while Newberry advances to 7-0 and 6-0 in the SACC.

After starting with a loss at the 149-weight class, Lander returned with a 5-1 win from senior Jauquin Olivas to tie things at 3. A pin in the next match however would make it a 9-3 contest with the Wolves ahead.

The Bearcats would see the next four matches go their way. Redshirt sophomore Jack Bond had a 19-5 major decision for his 10th win of the season. Sophomore Ryan Humel would help put six more points on the board after his opponent stalled out to make it 13-9. Sophomore Darius Parker earned his 11th victory of the season with a 22-4 tech fall to put Lander up 18-9 while redshirt sophomore Cameron Coffman earned a 5-1 decision to put Lander up 21-9.

Newberry would then use the next three matches to chisel away at the Bearcat leads, as the Wolves won by pin, major decision and then decision to take the 22-21 victory,

Lander is off to the Super Regionals in Franklin Springs, Ga., next.

#cLawsUp | @LanderWrestling