New College of Florida Men's Wrestling competed for the first time in school history Friday, recording five individual victories in duals against No. 3 Life University and RV Truett McConnell at Eagle Madness hosted by Life in Marietta, Georgia.
The Mighty Banyans opened their inaugural season with a 44-3 loss to Life before battling Truett McConnell in a closely contested 22-21 decision. NCF won four bouts against the Bears, earning bonus points in each victory.
Michael Kersey, Talon Maple, Jaden Weisgal and Justin Grant picked up victories against Truett McConnell, while Merrick Miller earned NCF's lone win against Life.
DUAL NOTES
A HISTORIC FIRST: Friday marked the first competition in New College Men's Wrestling history. The Mighty Banyans began their inaugural campaign against two nationally recognized opponents, facing No. 3 Life and a Truett McConnell team receiving votes in the NAIA national poll.
MIGHTY BANYANS PUSH BEARS TO THE FINISH: NCF held a 21-13 advantage with two bouts remaining against Truett McConnell. The Bears responded with a fall at 197 pounds and a decision at heavyweight to secure the one-point victory.
KERSEY DELIVERS FIRST-PERIOD FALL: Kersey pinned Caleb Benton in 1:51 at 149 pounds against Truett McConnell. Against Life, Kersey battled Dante Olivero in a narrow 6-5 decision.
MAPLE ADDS BONUS POINTS: Maple earned a 15-4 major decision over Toby House at 157 pounds against Truett McConnell. Maple also competed against Life's Isaac Balden, falling by an 11-8 decision.
GRANT WINS BY TECHNICAL FALL: Grant defeated Truett McConnell's Cooper Cook by 19-3 technical fall in 4:17 at 184 pounds. The victory supplied five team points and extended NCF's lead to 21-13.
WEISGAL PICKS UP SIX: Weisgal earned a victory by fall over Mikai Brinson at 141 pounds against Truett McConnell, giving the Mighty Banyans their first six points of the dual.
MILLER EARNS WIN AGAINST LIFE: Miller recorded a fall over Tyree Graham at 9:00 in the 165-pound bout against No. 3 Life. NCF's final team score reflected a three-point adjustment listed on the official score sheet.
BY THE NUMBERS
2: Duals contested during the first event in program history.
5: Individual victories for NCF across the two duals.
4: Bonus-point victories against Truett McConnell.
1: Point separating the Mighty Banyans and Bears in the final team score.
1:51: Time of Kersey's first-period fall against Benton.
19: Points scored by Grant in his technical-fall victory.
Up Next: New College of Florida competes in the Patriot Open, hosted by the University of the Cumberlands, on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Corbin, Kentucky. The tournament begins at 9 a.m.
