Pioneer Wrestling continues to improve

ROME, GA., This past weekend the Spartanburg Methodist College wrestling team traveled to Shorter University in Rome, Ga to compete against NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA teams in an individual tournament. Although the Pioneers didn't find a way to get anyone on the podium, picking up wins for were Marvin Galette (125), Maurice Williams (133), Antione Hammond (165), and Jermain Robinson (157).

Marvin Galette (Rock Hill, SC/South Pointe High) had a tough route in his bracket facing the number one ranked 125lber in NAIA Devane Dodgens of Life University. He lost that match by decision. Galette, followed that up by a close decision victory, only to fall short losing to Southeastern University Olsen Delisca.

At 133lbs, Maurice Williams (Orlando, FL/Edgewater High), adds even more matches to his record having wrestled 20 matches thus far, this year. In this weekends' tournament he won his first match by decision only to lose to returning NAIA All-American and ranked number 2 in the nation Jake Sinkovics of Cumberlands (Ky.). Maurice then lost another tight match against Division I starter from UTC Chattanooga, Jake Huffine.

With Antione Hammond's (Irmo, SC/Dutch Fork High) weight finally getting to where he wants it, this was his first time wrestling at 165lbs. He managed to pick up two wins for the Pioneers against Alex Walker of Life University by decision and Jacob Sledge of Shorter University by fall.

Earning his first collegiate victory was Jermaine Robinson (Chesterfield, SC/Chesterfield High) at 157lbs. Coll Robertson of University of Florida was winning the match 14-0 until Jermaine made his comeback, bringing the score to 24-12 right before he pinned his opponent in the third period.

"Although, none of us placed this weekend," says Head Wrestling Coach Matt Oliver, "Some news guys came in and stepped up earning wins for us. It's a long season, and these young guys are still learning every day. They are getting the right experience going to these types of tournaments whether they win or lose. It is all a process and the results will come. Things like this take time and we will get to where we want to be."

Look out for the SMC Pioneer Wrestling team as they take on Anderson University, December 3 at 7:00pm, at home in the Moore Athletic Activities Building (Old Gym). The Pioneers are looking to have some of their wrestlers back from injuries that day, so it should be an eventful and exciting night.

Individual Results

-         Quarterfinals - Devane Dodgens (Life University) over Marvin Galette (SMC) (Dec 8-3)

-         Cons. Round 2 - Marvin Galette (SMC) over Timothy Randolph (Life University) (Dec 7-6)

-         Cons. Round 3 - Olson Delisca (Southeastern) over Marvin Galette (SMC) (MD 8-0)

-         Champ. Round 2 - Maurice Williams (SMC) over Austin Gould (Chattanooga) (Dec 6-2)

-         Quarterfinals - Jake Sinkovics (Cumberlands) over Maurice Williams (SMC) (TF 18-3 7:00)

-         Cons. Round 4 - Jake Huffine (Chattanooga) over Maurice Williams (SMC) (Dec 2-1)

-         Champ. Round 1 - Kalvin Harris (Shorter (Ga.)) over Brady Whiteside (SMC) (Dec 7-2)

-         Cons. Round 2 - Alfred Shavers (Shorter (Ga.)) over Brady Whiteside (SMC) (Dec 8-2)

-         Champ. Round 2 - Jermaine Robinson (SMC) over Coll Robertson (Florida) (Fall 6:42)

-         Quarterfinals - TJ Duncan (Shorter (Ga.)) over Jermaine Robinson (SMC) (Fall 0:25)Cons.

-         Round 4 - Tim Dinsdale (Southeastern) over Jermaine Robinson (SMC) (Fall 3:59)

-         Champ. Round 1 - Luke Moore (Cumberlands (Ky.)) over Antoine Hammond (SMC) (Dec 14-8)

-         Cons. Round 1 - Antoine Hammond (SMC) over Alex Walker (Life University) (Dec 7-2)

-         Cons. Round 2 - Antoine Hammond (SMC) over Jacob Sledge (Shorter (Ga.)) (Fall 2:57)

-         Cons. Round 3 - Anthony Codella (Life University) over Antoine Hammond (SMC) (Dec 6-1)

-         Champ. Round 1 - Wally Figaro (Shorter (Ga.)) over Bradley Mewhorter (SMC) (Fall 1:37)

-         Cons. Round 1 - Nathan Cleland (Southeastern) over Bradley Mewhorter (SMC) (SV-1 9-7)

-         Quarterfinals - Jacob Dempsey (Life University) over Nicholas Siniard (SMC) (Fall 2:04)

-         Cons. Round 2 - Hayden Cook (Shorter (Ga.)) over Nicholas Siniard (SMC) (Fall 2:11)

-         Quarterfinals - Tony Crowell (Cumberland (Tenn.)) over Austin Thompson (SMC) (MD 11-2)

-         Cons. Round 3 - Ramsey Bloy (Cumberlands (Ky.)) over Austin Thompson (SMC) (Fall 4:29)

-         Champ. Round 1 - Deandre Sims (Life University) over Onassis Williams (SMC) (Fall 6:06)

-         Cons. Round 1 - Seth Gorman (Life University) over Onassis Williams (SMC) (Dec 1-0)