#1 Wrestling Blanks Limestone to Open Season

GREENWOOD - The top-ranked Lander Wrestling team used nine bonus point victories en route to a 48-0 domination of the Limestone Saints to open the 2023-2024 campaign.

The Bearcats moved to 1-0 on the year and in conference play while the Saints dropped to 0-1 with the same record in conference play.

#2 James Joplin opened the night with a three takedown first period and never looked back as he added two more takedowns added with a four-point nearfall to record a tech fall to put Lander up 5-0.

Kaden Kuenzi added four more points to the total as he gutted out a 19-7 major decision to make it 9-0, Bearcats.

Isham Peace made his dual debut in style as he shook off an early first period takedown to get a takedown of his own and comboed that into a pin 4:35 in to increase the Blue and Gold's lead to 15-0.

Junior Downing added a major decision and then Jack Tangen dominated his way to a 19-4 technical fall to make it 23-0. #2 David Hunsberger used a two takedown second period to cruise to a 11-3 major decision to seal the match for the Bearcats at 27-0 with four bouts left.

12th-ranked Brandon Matthews wasted no time introducing himself to the Horne Arena crowd as he got an early first period takedown followed by three successive four-point nearfalls en route to a sub-two minute technical fall to make it 32-0.

Nathan Bukovich found himself in the bout of the night trailing 5-4 in the third period but Bukovich was able to find an opening to secure the takedown and despite an escape from Limestone's Jaquez Bostic, he was able to see out the remaining time for a gritty 7-6 decision.

Tenth-ranked Anthony Yacovetti and second-ranked Juan Edmond-Holmes each recorded wins via forfeit to close out the night and secure the 48-0 win.

Ryan Dobbs also secured a win in an exhibition match before the dual via a 17-0 tech fall.

The Lander Wrestling team starts tournament action this weekend as they will travel split squad to App State for the Mountineer Invitational and the other half will travel to Emmanuel to take part in the Georgia Open. The Bearcats return to dual action next Thursday as they travel to UNC Pembroke for a rematch of last year's conference title match. First whistle for that dual is scheduled for 7:00 PM in Pembroke, N.C.

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Players Mentioned

Isham Peace: Sophomore; 133

Ryan Dobbs: Redshirt Freshman; 157

Junior Downing: Freshman; 141

Juan Edmond-Holmes: Graduate Student; 285

David Hunsberger: Freshman; 157

James Joplin: Sophomore; 125

Jack Tangen: Graduate Student; 149

Anthony Yacovetti: Junior; 197

Kaden Kuenzi: Junior; 133

Brandon Matthews: Graduate Student; 174/184

Players Mentioned

Isham Peace
: Sophomore; 133

Ryan Dobbs
: Redshirt Freshman; 157

Junior Downing
: Freshman; 141

Juan Edmond-Holmes
: Graduate Student; 285

David Hunsberger
: Freshman; 157

James Joplin
: Sophomore; 125

Jack Tangen
: Graduate Student; 149

Anthony Yacovetti
: Junior; 197

Kaden Kuenzi
: Junior; 133

Brandon Matthews
: Graduate Student; 174/184