Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. --- The No. 2 Life University men's wrestling team hosted their Senior Night tonight versus Montreat College, dictating the flow of the match from the first bout on their way to a flawless, 55-0 victory.

Life U (5-1) stayed undefeated in Appalachian Athletic Conference play with the defeat of Montreat (4-4) while also maintaining their home unbeaten streak that dates back to the 2018-19 season.

Brandon Orum started the dual off with a result that would be seen in six other matches on the night, pinning his opponent in 1:20 to open the match 6-0 in favor of the Running Eagles. At 133 lbs. Travis Knowlton made quick work of his opponent getting a 16-0 tech fall in just 1:28. Another pin came at 141 lbs. as the route was truly on, Jordan Mitchell boosting the advantage to 17-0 with his fall only taking 1:46. 

The team's second tech fall was earned by Francis Morrissey in the following bout, the sophomore recording a 24-9 victory with 37 seconds left on the clock in the second period. In the next match, Greg Ewert gave his opponent no room to breathe, rocking him back onto his shoulders for the pin with three seconds to go in the first. The only victory to not come in the bonus came at 165 lbs., a 5-4 decision by Tyler Helfrich-Meyers moving the lead to 31-0.

The final four bouts went by in a flash, each of them being decided by pinfall. Riley Smucker started the streak at 174 lbs. with the quickest decision of the night, pinning his opponent in only 16 seconds. One of the team's reliable seniors, Asher Eichert followed that up with an oppressive session that only took 1:15. In the penultimate match of the night, Zane Lanham made it all the way to the third period before earning the pin. Senior transfer Austin Harris put a bow on the night at heavyweight, throwing his opponent to the mat immediately to earn a fall in only 0:25.

The men wrestle on the road ofr their next dual, facing Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. on January 19th at 7 PM.