Greensboro College Pride Wrestling Drops Home Opener To Davidson, 41-9

Pride Wrestling Drops Home Opener To Davidson, 41-9
Courtesy of Greensboro College Sports Information Director Wes Gullett

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College wrestling team dropped their home opener to the Wildcats of Davidson College Tuesday, 41-9.

“We were not very pleased with how some of our guys performed tonight,” Head Coach Erik Wince said. “We talked to them in the locker room following the match about fighting back after getting down. The guys have to fight for the full seven minutes and some of them did not do that tonight.”

Greensboro struck for the match’s first three points as Zachary Rainess recorded an exciting 3-2 decision win over Dustin Runzo in the 141-lb weight class.

Rainess held a one-point advantage late in the third period but Runzo scored a late escape to tie the bout up at 2-2. However, Rainess, who had over one-minute of riding time, was awarded one final point to secure the match’s first win for the Pride.

“We knew the Zach’s match was going to be a tough one, especially after last season’s loss to the same guy,” Wince added. “Zach did a great job winning the hand battle and got the crowd fired up right out of the gate.”

Following the Rainess victory, Davidson ran off seven straight wins to pull out to a 41-3 lead.

After the Wildcats recorded a fall victory in the heavyweight division, Gabe Wilson got Greensboro on the board once again with an 8-5 decision victory.

Wilson came out of the gates fast but was forced to regain his composure after falling behind late in the first period on a two-point take down.

Heading into the second period, Davidson deferred their option to Wilson who was able to pull within 2-1 with an escape early in the period.

Wilson then took a 3-2 lead with a takedown of his own with just over one minute remaining in the second period, but Michel McClelland scored a two-point reversal to regain his one-point advantage.

McClelland was able to add to his advantage with an escape point in the first 30 seconds of the third period, but Wilson battled back to take a 7-5 lead following a two-point takedown and two near fall points, before closing out his bout with one bonus point for riding time.

“Gabe always battles and finds a way to win,” Wince remarked but we have to find a way to slow him down after getting really excited to wrestle,” Wince remarked. “We have to find a way to slow him down early in the match as he is always really excited when he hits the mat. McClelland is a really tough kid for Davidson and Gabe did a great job getting the separation that he needed late.”

Following Wilson’s emotional comeback victory, Tyler Haskin electrified the Greensboro faithful once again in the final bout of the evening.

Haskin quickly recorded a two-point takedown of Davidson’s Zamir Ode before Ode recorded one point of his own with a late escape in the first period.

Ode then went on to take a one-point advantage into the third period, but Haskin evened the match in the first minute of the final period with an escape point.

With the riding time bonus on his side, Haskin battled off a late attack by Ode and was able to secure the one-point riding time bonus to secure the 3-2 win.

“Tyler has done a great job with his weight and being a leader on this team,” said Wince. “He did a great job on top after recording a big takedown early in the match.”

Ryan Dominique, Quaevon Cannon, Tyron Dudley, Carlos Ortega and Nicholas Harper also wrestled for Greensboro.

The Pride will return to action Saturday when they travel to Mount Union Duals. For more information on Greensboro College wrestling, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.