BELMONT, N.C. – For the first time in program history, the Lander wrestling team has won the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas title. Lander took down Belmont Abbey 19-13 on the road Saturday afternoon.
Lander moves to 10-2 overall and 8-0 in the SACC while Belmont Abbey drops to 9-5 overall and 6-1 in the SACC.
Lander started with victories at 125,133 and 141 to start 10-0 against Belmont Abbey.
Isham Peace won 9-6 to begin the dual. Although down 4-3 after the first period, Peace has a strong second period that saw an escape and a takedown while getting a reversal and a point for riding time in the third secure the first points for Lander.
Elijah Lusk was next up with an 11-5 victory at 133. He had a strong second period that saw a takedown and a four-point near fall to help establish the lead.
Zeth Brower earned a major decision for Lander with a 15-2 drubbing. Brower began with six points after one of his two four-point near falls. He would use a reversal and the second of his four-point near falls to go up 12-0 after the second period.
The Crusaders would win the next three matches by decision to make it a 10-9 contest.
Jack Bond broke the streak for Belmont Abbey with a well-fought 9-6 win by decision. After trailing 2-1 after the first period, Bond would get two takedowns and an escape to go up 6-3 before a takedown in the third and a point from his opponent stalling helped bring in three points for the Bearcats.
Lander would see an impressive showing from Carter Shipp at 184. Down 1-0 after the first two periods, Shipp got an escape in the third to force overtime where he would get a takedown to inch Lander closer to victory.
Darius Parker was next at 197. Up 3-1 after the first two periods, Parker used a two-point near fall along with a takedown and a point from riding time to earn an 8-2 victory and seal the deal for Lander.
Belmont Abbey would take the final match of the day but couldn't overcome the lead Lander had built.
The Bearcats conclude the regular season with a trip to UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, February 15.
#cLawsUp | @LanderWrestling
