The Ashland University wrestling team dropped two close matches on Day 1 of the Division II Region II Duals in Hartsville, S.C., on Friday (Jan. 29).
The Eagles were downed by Newberry, 26-15, and took a tough 21-19 loss to host Coker College.
The highlight of the evening was senior Joe Brandt reaching career victory No. 100 as an Eagle. Brandt, the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the country at 197 pounds, took down Newberry's Cody Brundage by a 4-1 decision in the first dual of the evening.
Brandt stands with a career record of 101-24, 15-2 on the season, after two wins on Friday. He also pinned Temaris Dixon of Coker in 1:45 in the second dual of the night.
Brandt On His 100th Victory
Redshirt junior Brent Fickel (149) returned to the Eagles' starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 20 at the Midwest Classic. Fickel pinned Newberry's Zach Dobbins in 4:13. He finished the night with a 16-4 major decision over Coker's Jordan Tague. Fickel improved his record to 7-6 this season.
Eagles junior Bobby Mason (141) won both of his matches on Day 1. Mason tallied a 6-3 decision over Newberry's Zach Dobbins and a 3-2 decision over Curtis Harris of Coker.
Also winning against Newberry was Eagle junior Jordan Murphy (4-0 decision) at the 174-pound weight class. Murphy currently sits ranked No. 4 in Super Region II.
Senior Zeb Beam (157) won his match against Coker's Rashad Cunningham by a 3-2 decision.
The Eagles will be back for Day 2 of the Region II Duals beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday (Jan. 30) against Limestone. The Eagles also will face King University (11 a.m.) and UNC-Pembroke (1 p.m.).
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