UNCP Wrestling Routs Visiting Anderson, 29-10

PEMBROKE – UNCP registered 23 takedowns and a pair of near falls en route to pulling out seven individual victories on the night as the Braves turned in their fourth-straight victory over Anderson, 29-10, in the annual "Battle For The Belt" on Thursday evening at the English E. Jones Center.

All-Americans Russell Weakley and Mike Williams each turned in wins by pin fall to key the lopsided rout, but the Braves were also aided by major decision victories by both Timdarius Thurston and Shane Nolan. The victories marked successful season debuts for both Williams and Thurston who had missed the first month of the 2010-11 campaign while nursing injuries.

Weakley needed just less than two minutes to give UNCP the first lead of the night by pinning Andrew Rankin in the opening bout, but Thurston followed with a 10-2 win over Joe Perry and newcomer Tyquan Easton stretched the team lead out to 13-0 with a 9-3 decision over Ian Harper. The Trojans would not go quietly, however, as Dan Telhada grabbed a tight 3-2 victory over Patrik Foxworth at 149 pounds and Dalton Harper pulled the visitors to within five points, 13-7, moments later with a 19-6 major decision over Chris Foy.

Williams' second-period pin of Jordan Lide at 165 pounds would stretch the UNCP advantage back out to 11 points, 19-8, but the Trojans answered back again, this time with Trevor Sanford's 6-2 decision over Dennis Fix in the 174-pound bout.

The rest of the night would belong to the Braves though as Shiheem Bryant turned in a 7-1 decision over Sean O'Connell at 184 pounds and Nolan followed with a 13-4 major decision over Zoi Ouellette. Freshman Seth Stewart would finish off the bookend sweep in the heavyweight division as he toughed out a 3-2 win over Chase Duke.

UNCP will be back in action on Saturday when the Braves pack up their show and head to Davidson to take part in the multi-team Davidson Open at the Baker Sports Complex. Wrestling action is set to get underway at 9 a.m.


UNCP 29, Anderson 10
125: #4 Russell Weakley (UNCP) pinned Andrew Rankin (AU) F 1:54
133: Timdarius Thurston (UNCP) maj. dec. Joe Perry (AU) M 10-2
141: Tyquan Easton (UNCP) dec. Ian Harper (AU) D 9-3
149: Dan Telhada (AU) dec. Patrik Foxworth (UNCP) D 3-2
157: Dalton Harper (AU) maj. dec. Chris Foy (UNCP) M 19-6
165: #7 Mike Williams (UNCP) pinned Jordan Lide (AU) F 4:20
174: Trevor Sanford (AU) dec. Dennis Fix (UNCP) D 6-2
184: Shiheem Bryant (UNCP) dec. Sean O'Connell (AU) D 7-1
197: #7 Shane Nolan (UNCP) maj. dec. Zoi Ouellette (AU) M 13-4
285: Seth Stewart (UNCP) dec. Chase Duke (AU) D 3-2
Starting Weight: 125
Records: Anderson 3-4; UNCP 2-0