NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Your Mount St. Joseph wrestling team traveled to Nashville, Tennessee this weekend to compete in the Gator Boots Duals. The Lions faced off against Delaware Valley University (Pa.), Elmhurst University (Ill.), and Augustana College (Ill.). The Lions went 3-0 on the day extending their dual-match win streak to 7.
MSJ vs Delaware Valley
The Lions started their day wrestling Delaware Valley University. Sophomore Charles Lipps (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) got things started for the Lions as he secured the team's first match win of the day with a 18-3 technical fall victory in the 157lb weight class. The Lions next win would come in the 184lb weight class. Sophomore Cornell Beachem Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) would secure his win in the first period when he pinned his opponent to bring the dual score to 23-21, in favor of the Lions. Following Beachem Jr. in the 197lb weight class would be sophomore Antonio McCloud (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder). McCloud would get control early and much like his teammate Beachem Jr. would get the pin in the first period. The final score of the dual would come to 29-24 as MSJ escapes with the win.
MSJ vs Elmhurst
In the Lions second match of the day they would match up against the Bluejays of Elmhurst. Freshman Tariq Hornbuckle (Phoenix, Ariz/Desert Vista) would start things off for the Lions with a 18-3 technical fall victory to give the Lions a 5-0 lead in the dual score. Next at the 133lb weight class freshman Jabari Thomas (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) would get the win finishing his match ahead 13-3. Next at the 149lb weight class freshman Diontae Rone (Covington, Ky./Hughes) nearly missed a technical fall victory winning 16-2. Another freshman, this time it was Eric Fomekong (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) at the 157lb weight class securing his first career win at the collegiate level with a 12-7 victory. Freshman Amar Thomas kept the streak going for the Lions with a win in the 165lb weight class defeating his opponent 13-2 bringing the dual score to 20-6 in favor of MSJ. Antonio McCloud would secure his 2nd win of the day pinning his opponent again in the first round. As the dual closed the Lions were yet again victorious, this time the final showed 26-19.
MSJ vs Augustana
In their final match of the day the Lions faced off against the Vikings of Augustana College. Tariq Hornbuckle started the dual with a 8-3 victory. Following Hornbuckle was Jabari Thomas who secured his 2nd win on the day with a pin in the 2nd period. After the Lions dropped matches, Amar Thomas got the Lions going again with a pin in the 2nd period. At the 184lb weight class Cornell Beachem Jr. also secured his 2nd win on the day with another pin taking place in the 1st period. Sophomore Antonio McCloud would complete his match sweep on the day with a 24-5 technical fall victory. To finish up the day sophomore Cameron Sauerwein (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison) defeated his opponent in the 285lb weight class 14-6 to secure the Lions victory. The final score of the dual would read 30-14 with the Lions celebrating a victory and a dual tournament sweep.
The Lions won't be back in action until the new year begins. Their next meet will take place on Tuesday, January 7th at home in the Harrington Center when they face off against the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern. Continue to check out MSJSports.com for more updates on the rest of the Lions 2019-20 season!
