Men's Wrestling Dominate the AAC Tournament Claiming Nine of Ten Weight Classes
Men's Wrestling / 02.18.24
LAKELAND, Fla. --- The Life University men's wrestling team held an incredible hitting percentage Saturday, having nine Running Eagles claim individual titles out of the 10 weight classes as the team pulled away for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship.
The one-day tournament was held at Southeastern in Lakeland, Fla. The Running Eagles tallied 217 points to edge second-place Southeastern (180 points). Reinhardt finished third with 161 points with St. Thomas (79.5 points) and Montreat (52 points) rounding out the top five. Making up the rest of the field are Brewton-Parker (50) in sixth, Truett McConnell (32.5) in seventh, WVU Tech (31.5) in eighth, St. Andrews (15) in ninth, Keiser (11.5) in 10th, Pikeville (10) in 11th, and Bluefield (0) in 12th
Brevin Balmeceda was named the AAC Wrestler of the Year, Omi Acosta was named the AAC Coach of the Year, and Cole Manion was crowned the AAC Assistant Coach of the Year.
Beginning at 125 lbs, Brandon Orum started his day with a 1:17 fall. In the semifinals, Orum completed another bonus point win in a 13-3 major decision over #17 Trevor Borom. In the final, Orum matched up with an unranked opponent and won with a 5-3 decision.
Also at 125 lbs, Antonio Saldate placed third after a pin in the first round before a narrow loss in the quarters bumped him down into the consolation bracket. After that, Saldate won by tech fall and decision to claim third.
At 133 lbs, newcomer Thaddeus Long continued his stellar campaign. Beginning with a pin in the first round over an unranked foe. He continued his domination with another TF in the semis before tabbing a win in the championship bout over #9 Andrew Voiles.
Continuing the success, Tyree Johnson joined the podium with another 1st place finish. First earning two unranked wins before claiming a win over #5 Kael Brisker in the championship with a major decision. Also at 141, Bret Minor fought to a third place finish after dropping to Brisker in the semifinal matchup.
At 157 lbs, AAC's Wrestler of the Year dominated the competition with two tech falls, a major and a decision, besting #19 and #5. The win in the championship bout was convincing, refusing to concede a single point as Balmeceda majored #5 Salvador Silva 9-0.
At 165 lbs, Steven Villalobos tabbed an impressive 20.5 team points winning by tech fall in the quarters and a pin in the semis before a medical forfeit concluded his run in the tournament.
At 174 lbs, Riley Smucker and Tre Morissette controlled the bracket entirely, grabbing bonus points all the win to the championship bout where Morissette conceded a medical forfeit as Smucker was crowned the 174 lbs champion.
Kyle Homet followed suite, earning a pin to get into the quarters, a tech fall in the quarters, another tech fall in the semis before his first place finish was awarded after an injury default.
At 197 lbs, Demarco Lee was the next champion, earning major decisions over two unranked opponents in the semis and quarters before winning via decision over #11 Curtis Thomas.
At 285 lbs, Zane Lanham cruised through the quarters and semis with two tech falls before again besting #4 Gabe Davis with another convincing win, 7-2.
The full list of Life U champions is listed below:
Up next, the Running Eagles turn to the 67th Annual NAIA Tournament, taking a contingent of 12 wrestlers to Wichita, Kansas.
