GREEENWOOD, SC. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College wrestling team competed in the Carolina Clash on Saturday. Through the morning session the Panthers lost to the top team in the nation and host Lander. In the day's second match Wesleyan ended-up on the wrong side of 41-9 decision against Coker. The Panthers will have two more duals later this afternoon.
The day started at 8AM central time where the Panthers faced several returning All-Americans in the opening dual. The top-team in the nation Lander won 57-0. The Panthers then turned their attention to Coker later Saturday morning.
The Cobras defeated the Panthers 41-9. The match was highlighted by
Bryar Lane at 174-pounds. Lane won the back-and-forth battle 11-10. Benjamin Newton took Lane down early in the opening period and held a 7-0 lead. Lane closed the first period with an escape and takedown.
Starting the second period Newton produced another takedown to extend his lead to 10-4. Like the end of the first frame, Lane recorded an escape and takedown to narrow the gap and go into the final two minutes trailing 10-8. Lane's conditioning showed in the third period as he turned Newton to his back to get three nearfall points and take the match 11-10.
At 197-pounds
Drayden McKerrow recorded the first takedown the of the match against Kaleb Walley. However, as the match marched into the final period McKerrow trailed 5-4. McKerrow erased any riding time to start the third period before allowing Walley to escape. Both combatants showed signs of their endurance running low. In the final 25 seconds McKerrow got Walley to the mat, but Walley would not let the Panthers 197-pounder gain control before the clock expired. Walley won 6-4.
Kelton Farmer's Kentucky Wesleyan debut lasted 40 seconds at heavyweight. Farmer opened the final match by taking down Zach McRae to his back and securing the pin.
Later today the Panthers will face Mount Olive at 12:30 PM CT and end the Carolina Clash with a match-up against UNC Pmebroke. The final match will start at 3:30PM CT.
