Turner Kirby

Wrestling 12/7/2025 7:51:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

#2 Lander Takes Down Two Ranked Teams En Route to Perfect Day at Carolina Clash

GREENWOOD – The second-ranked Lander Wrestling team recorded wins over #19 Newberry and #10 Glenville State as part of a perfect 6–0 day at the 2025 Carolina Clash inside Finis Horne Arena on Sunday.

Two different lineups competed for the Bearcats, with each group wrestling three times and going 3–0. The "A-Squad" earned wins over Newberry, Glenville State, and Mount Olive, while the "B-Squad" tied the program record for most points in a dual in a 57–0 win over Lincoln Memorial and added victories over Emmanuel and Emory & Henry.

With the sweep, Lander moves to 10–0, the best start in program history, and extends its overall dual winning streak to 16 straight dating back to last season. The wins over #19 Newberry and #10 Glenville State marked the 14th and 15th victories over ranked opponents in program history, with Glenville State representing Lander's fifth top-10 win all-time.

Match 1: #2 Lander 57, Lincoln Memorial 0

Lander opened the day with a shutout, earning bonus points in all 10 matches.

Santiago Ramirez, Kevin O'Brien, and Sean Crews each collected tech falls, while George Maholtz, Kaden Purler, and Ransom Randolph added first-period pins.
RJ James, JT Spence, Grant Lawter, and Mason Nate received forfeit wins.

Match 2: #2 Lander 25, #19 Newberry 12

Newberry struck first at 125, but #8 James Joplin regained the lead with a 3–2 win, using a first-period takedown to carry him the rest of the way. #10 Elijah Lusk followed with an 18–1 tech fall, turning his opponent three different times in the opening period to put Lander ahead 8–3.

After the Wolves closed the gap with a win at 149, #15 Noah Roulo and #1 David Hunsberger posted back-to-back decisions to stretch the lead to 14–6.

At 174, #15 Maxwell Kiel earned a win via injury default, and #11 Dylan Kohn clinched the dual with a 20–5 first-period tech fall.

Match 3: #2 Lander 45, Mount Olive -1

Ramirez and Lusk delivered early wins around a forfeit to Joplin for a 12–0 start. Lander then rolled out four straight tech falls from #4 Isham Peace (17–2), Reid Noble (22–6), Hunsberger (19–4), and Kiel (20–5).

Kohn added a major at 184, #4 Marvelous Rutledge added a pin, and #6 Isaac Sheeren closed the dual with a 15–8 decision.

Mount Olive was deducted a team point for control of mat, marking the first time an opponent has finished a dual with a negative score against Lander.

Match 4: #2 Lander 49, Emmanuel -1

Pins from Maholtz, Purler, Randolph, Crews, and Spence powered the Bearcats past Emmanuel, along with tech falls by James and Nate.

Lawter added a major decision, while Ramirez and O'Brien picked up hard-fought decisions.

Both teams received a team-point deduction following the 149-lb match for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Match 5: #2 Lander 55, Emory & Henry 0

After a Ramirez tech fall, Maholtz recorded a 16-second pin to make it 11–0. Lander never looked back as Purler, Crews, Spence, and Nate all earned pins.

Wood added a 15–0 tech fall, Randolph won 4–3, and both James and Lawter received forfeit victories.

Match 6: #2 Lander 35, #10 Glenville State 10

Glenville State opened with a major decision, but Lander answered quickly as Joplin recorded a tech fall and Lusk added a major to put the Bearcats ahead 9–4.

After the Pioneers took wins at 149 and 157 to regain a 10–9 lead, Lander closed the dual with five straight bonus-point victories.

Hunsberger earned his third tech fall of the day, Kiel added an 18–4 major, and Kohn blew the match open with a pin in 1:12. Rutledge followed with a 17–2 tech fall before Sheeren sealed the dual with a forfeit win.

Lander now prepares for the Midwest Classic, hosted by UIndy next weekend—the premier in-season tournament in Division II. The Bearcats will look to capture their second Midwest Classic team title when action begins Saturday morning.

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Players Mentioned

Sean Crews: 174; Sophomore; 174

David Hunsberger: 165; Senior; 157

RJ James: 125; Sophomore; 125

James Joplin: 133; Graduate Student; 125

Grant Lawter: 184; Junior; 184

Elijah Lusk: 141; Graduate Student; 141

Reid Noble: 149; Junior; 149

Isham Peace: 149; Redshirt Senior; 149

Ransom Randolph: 165; Junior; 165

Marvelous Rutledge: 197; Senior; 197

Players Mentioned

Sean Crews
: Sophomore; 174
: 174

David Hunsberger
: Senior; 157
: 165

RJ James
: Sophomore; 125
: 125

James Joplin
: Graduate Student; 125
: 133

Grant Lawter
: Junior; 184
: 184

Elijah Lusk
: Graduate Student; 141
: 141

Reid Noble
: Junior; 149
: 149

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Senior; 149
: 149

Ransom Randolph
: Junior; 165
: 165

Marvelous Rutledge
: Senior; 197
: 197