Life University Athletics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ---- The No. 2 nationally ranked Life University men's wrestling team split its opening pair of matches Monday afternoon, as the team fell to No. 14 NCAA Division 1 North Carolina 29-6, but defeated NCAA Division II Queens 35-3.

The Running Eagles had the opportunity to wrestle the No. 14 Tar Heels in Chapel Hill and face seven ranked wrestlers in the dual. Brandon Orum started off the dual at 125 lbs. and was seconds away from taking the match into overtime when a final moment escape gave the 3-2 decision to the UNC wrestler. Hunter Sparks battled to a 13-5 loss against the No. 13 ranked wrestler at 133 lbs. as Jacob Ruiz scored first but fell late to the No. 14 ranked wrestler at 141 lbs. Yarhoski Aldiva gave up just one bonus point to the No. 5 ranked wrestler.

Jack Bass took on the defending NCAA Division 1 National Champion at 157 lbs. Bass fell 12-4 to the No. 2 ranked O'Connor as Ashton Habeil nearly defeated his opponent at 165 in a 5-3 decision. Asher Eichert faced the No. 22 ranked wrestler at 174 lbs. in an 8-3 decision for the Tar Heels with Myles Starke putting up a fight at 184 lbs., but falling 2-0. Zane Lanham provided the points for the Running Eagles with a pin at 197 lbs. to the No. 23 nationally ranked wrestler in the country. J.J. Perez fell 8-0 in the final bought to the No. 33 nationally ranked wrestler for the final of 29-6.

Life U returned to the mat immediately after to face Queens University, where the Running Eagles responded with a 35-3 victory. Keegan Slyter started the dual at 125 lbs. with a 4-2 decision with Sparks bouncing back with a 9-6 decision at 133. Ruiz earned the 5-2 decision at 141 lbs. as Julian Hernandez earned the 3-2 decision at 149. Denver Stonecheck earned the win via pin fall at 157 as Habeil picked up the 12-2 major decision at 165 lbs. Eichert won the 8-3 decision at 174 as Mike Gibson fell 6-1 at 184 for Queens' only win of the dual. Lanham earned his second pin of the day at 197 as Perez finished the dual with a 12-4 major decision at 285 lbs. 

The men's wrestling team will return to action on Thursday, November 4, as they host Truett McConnell in the home opener at 6 PM inside the Eagles' Nest.