Life University Athletics

LAKELAND, Fla. ---- The No. 2 nationally ranked Life University men's wrestling team won seven of the ten matches on the road Friday night to defeat No. 3 Southeastern 25-13 in a key Mid-South Conference dual.

The key win started with three victories in exhibitions for the Running Eagles as Steven Villalobos defeated his opponent at 157 lbs. via pin in 3:53. Miguel Angel Hernandez also wrestled in an exhibition at 165 lbs. and earned the 6-3 decision and Mason McDaniel finished the exhibitions at 165 lbs. with a win via pin in 2:24. 

The dual started at 157 lbs. as No. 6 Jack Bass defeated the No. 20 ranked wrestler with a 15-2 major decision for four team points. No. 2 Sid Ohl followed up with a 5-1 decision at 165 lbs. over the No. 11 ranked wrestler. No. 4 Asher Eichert continued the win-streak at 174 lbs. with a 3-2 decision over the No. 8 ranked wrestler. In the upset of the dual, unranked Myles Starke defeated the No. 5 ranked wrestler at 184 lbs. to give the Running Eagles a 13-0 advantage. No. 2 Zane Lanham picked up the 8-0 major decision over the No. 19 ranked wrestler to give the Running Eagles a 17-0 lead and a 5-0 match record in the first half of the dual.

Southeastern stormed back with pins at 285 lbs. and 133 lbs. with a decision at 125 to bring the score to 17-15 with two matches remaining. No. 8 Julian Hernandez picked up the narrow 3-2 decision at 141 lbs. to give Life U some breathing room headed to the final match. No. 2 Denver Stonecheck sealed the dual with with a 4-1 decision over the No. 11 ranked wrestler at 149 lbs. to give the Running Eagles the 23-15 road victory.

The men's wrestling team will return to action on Saturday, February 5, when they compete in the Cumberland Open hosted by Cumberland University.

Head coach Omi Acosta shared his thoughts after the dual below: