By james art 
CLINTON, SC – Beginning a season at home for the first time in the program’s six-year history, the Presbyterian College men’s wrestling team fell short of back-to-back wins over Sacred Heart after defeating the Pioneers last fall. The final decision was 32-11 SHU on Sunday afternoon at Templeton Gymnasium.
Caleb Rowe, Ryan Lunaand Trenton Donahue all managed a W in the opening matchup of the 2024-25 slate, although the visitors’ opening 12-0 run in the match was enough to eventually grab the 19-point win.
PC finished the competition 8-0 with wins by Luna and Donahue, not to mention a 20-5 technical by Reid Douglas in an exhibition match against Owen Ayotte.
Head coach Mark CodyNow the gang of ‘s will head to Boone, North Carolina next weekend for the Appalachian State Invite, a rare appearance in a tournament on a schedule almost entirely made up of duals.
They will begin the NC brackets on Saturday November 9th bright and early in the morning.
SIGNIFICANTS
– Rowe started his individual season 1-0 after finishing 4thth spot in the SoCon Championships in the spring, knocking off Hunter Perez via a 9-4 decision to start his junior campaign strong.
– Despite a 29-point hole, the Blue Hose never relinquished the white flag with a solid finish to the dual. Donahue created that ruckus with a 15-0 technique against Jack Ice in six and a half minutes.
– Moving up two full weight classes from his first two PC seasons, Luna pulled out a 4-3 W over Vincent Milazzo to end the dual on a high note. Douglas then kept the good vibes going with his TF in the overtime match.
RESULTS
157 – Felix Lettini (SHU) won Ellie Holliday (PC) by TF, 16-1 (6:32)
SHU leads 5-0
165 – Mike McGhee (SHU) won Joshua Rowe (PC) through Dec. 9-6
SHU leads 8-0
174 – Aidan Zarrella (SHU) won Reid Douglas (PC) by MD, 16-7
SHU leads, 12-0
184 – Caleb Rowe (PC) def. Hunter Perez (SHU) to Dec. 9-4
SHU leads, 12-3
197 – Jake Trovato (SHU) def Toler Hornik (PC) until the fall, 0:31
SHU leads, 18-3
285 – Brendan Gilchrist (SHU) def Nathan Carnes (PC) until the fall, 5:22
SHU leads, 24-3
125 – Mikey Manta (SHU) won Brayden Adams (PC) through Dec. 11-4
SHU leads, 27-3
133 – Andrew Fallon (SHU) won Tyler Rodier (PC) by TF, 18-3 (3:27)
SHU leads, 32-3
141 – Trenton Donahue (PC) def. Jake Ice (SHU) by TF, 15-0 (6:31)
SHU leads, 32-8
149 – Ryan Luna (PC) def. Vincent Milazzo (SHU) to December 4-3
FINAL SCORE – Sacred Heart win. Presbyterian, 32-11
(Extra countable match)
Reid Douglas (PC) def. Owen Ayotte (SHU) by TF, 20-5 (5:51)
NEXT
– Home to Southern Conference powerhouse Appalachian State, Presby will turn its attention to next weekend’s tournament as they iron out the kinks in a new campaign.
– ASU made a smooth recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Helena in late September, making the tournament in Boone.
– The Mountaineer Invitational is set for 9:00 a.m. in six days, the first of two visits to App State’s campus this season for the Blue Hose (the other is in mid-January).