LaHaye Named Coach of the Year for Second Time - Bearcats Place Eight on All-Conference Team

Lander Faces Newberry in Conference Carolinas Semifinals on Sunday

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Conference Carolinas unveiled its 2023-2024 Wrestling postseason awards on Friday afternoon that saw Head Wrestling Coach, R.C. LaHaye, named the conference's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year while eight wrestlers were named to the All-Conference team in their respective weight classes.

Named to the first team were James Joplin (125), Isham Peace (141), Zeth Brower (149), David Hunsberger (165), Anthony Yacovetti (197), and Juan Edmond-Holmes (285). Elijah Lusk (133) and Jack Bond (184) were both named to the second team.

All of Lander's wrestlers that were named to the first team are ranked in their respective weight classes in the latest NWCA national rankings. Elijah Lusk was also ranked at 133 as well.

LaHaye earns his second straight Coach of the Year honor after Lander completed their second consecutive undefeated conference regular season with a perfect 10-0 conference record and a 15-3 record overall. Bearcat wrestlers hold a record of 385-177 this season and were 64-7 in conference action. So far this season, Lander has amassed 267 bonus point wins including 123 pins.

The eight Bearcat All-Conference wrestlers have a record of 140-28 and 43-2 during the conference season.

Lander gets set to face the Newberry Wolves in the inaugural Conference Carolinas Wrestling Championship on Sunday. First whistle for that match is set for 11:00 AM.

The Bearcats and Wolves have not faced each other this regular season after being a staple of the schedule for the previous four seasons. Newberry won the first two meetings between the programs, including the 2020-21 matchup for the then South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Championship, but the Bearcats have won the last two matches in dominating fashion, outscoring Newberry 50-20.

The Wolves only have one wrestler ranked in the latest NWCA rankings in Devon Rice at 285 (11th) but have shown some prowess on the offensive side with a wrestler ranked in the top-ten nationally in pins in John Parker (9th with 7) and tech falls with returning All-American Devan Moore (7th with 8).

Lander meanwhile has the seven wrestlers mentioned previously ranked and have the DII leader in pins with Yacovetti having 13 falls. Meanwhile, David Hunsberger is ranked sixth in tech falls with nine.

Lander has three wrestlers ranked in the NWCA's "Most Dominant Wrestler" rankings while the Wolves have none.

The winner of the matchup between Lander and Newberry will face the winner of the UNC Pembroke-King matchup that will go off at the same time at 3:00 PM on Sunday for the conference title. The losers of the two matches will face off at 1:00 for third place.

Lander took down both the Braves and Tornado this season en route to their perfect 10-0 conference record and beat the Braves last season to secure their second straight conference title.

After the conference tournament, all eyes turn to March 2nd and the NCAA Super Region II Wrestling Championships hosted in Horne Arena where the Bearcats will look to secure their second straight Super Region title.

2023-24 Conference Carolinas Men's Wrestling All-Conference Wrestler of the Year Scott Joll, UNC Pembroke Freshman of the Year Avery Buonocore, UNC Pembroke Coach of the Year RC LaHaye, Lander 125 Pounds First Team: James Joplin, Lander Second Team: Logan Seliga, UNC Pembroke 133 Pounds First Team: Gabe Hixenbaugh, Montevallo Second Team: Elijah Lusk, Lander 141 Pounds First Team: Isham Peace, Lander Second Team: John Carayiannis, Belmont Abbey 149 Pounds First Team: Zeth Brower, Lander Second Team: Jake Piccirilli, UNC Pembroke 157 Pounds First Team: Keegan Roberson, UNC Pembroke Second Team: Maxwell Kiel, Belmont Abbey 165 Pounds First Team: David Hunsberger, Lander Second Team: Trent Mahoney, King 174 Pounds First Team: Scott Joll, UNC Pembroke Second Team: Andrew Reed, Newberry 184 Pounds First Team: JaQuez Bostic, Limestone Second Team: Jack Bond, Lander 197 Pounds First Team: Anthony Yacovetti, Lander Second Team: John Parker, Newberry 285 Pounds First Team: Juan Edmond-Holmes, Lander Second Team: Devon Rice, Newberry

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Jack Bond: Redshirt Senior; 174

Zeth Brower: Redshirt Senior; 141

Juan Edmond-Holmes: Graduate Student; 285

David Hunsberger: Sophomore; 157

James Joplin: Junior; 125

Elijah Lusk: Junior; 133

Isham Peace: Redshirt Sophomore; 133

Anthony Yacovetti: Senior; 197

Players Mentioned

Jack Bond
: Redshirt Senior; 174

Zeth Brower
: Redshirt Senior; 141

Juan Edmond-Holmes
: Graduate Student; 285

David Hunsberger
: Sophomore; 157

James Joplin
: Junior; 125

Elijah Lusk
: Junior; 133

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Sophomore; 133

Anthony Yacovetti
: Senior; 197