Jesse Rowlen (in red) recorded a pair of pins in the 285-pound weight class on Saturday as Huntingdon defeated the University of the Ozarks and lost to Truett-McConnell. (Photo by Wesley Lyle)

Posted: Jan 23, 2016

Wrestling team earns first home win of NCAA era

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon wrestling team took the mat in front of a home crowd for the first time this season in a pair of matches at Roland Arena on Saturday.

The Hawks knocked off Division III opponent University of the Ozarks 37-15 before falling to NAIA opponent Truett-McConnell 27-25.

The match against Ozarks was just the second home match for the Hawks during the NCAA era and the first home victory. It was the fourth win of the season.

Mason Blakeney (133 pounds), Brandon Abejon (141), DeAndre Beck (149) and Jesse Rowlen (285) each had two wins.

Against Ozarks, Blakeney won 6-4, Abejon won by technical fall, 22-4, Beck won by technical fall, 16-1 and Rowlen pinned his opponent in 1:26.

Ryan Brooks (125) pinned his opponent in 2:19 while Jared Mercer (165) won by pin in 6:26. Deon Maxwell (157) won by forfeit.

In the final match of the day, Huntingdon took on Truett-McConnell for the second time this season. The Bears won the first meeting 30-19 on Jan. 15 and survived a two-point win on Saturday.

Abejon got things going for Huntingdon by pinning his opponent in 1:43. Jesse Herron (197) won 7-1 while Rowlen pinned his opponent in 1:27.

Blakeney won by major decision, 14-4 and Beck won by forfeit.

The Hawks return to action in the Cumberland Open on Jan. 30.

Huntingdon 37 – University of the Ozarks 15

125 – Ryan Brooks (HC) d. JaToris Combs (UO), Fall, 2:19

133 – Mason Blakeney (HC) d. Siaygnoun Nhamnhouane (UO), 6-4

141 – Brandon Abejon (HC) d. Ny'Trell Dean (UO), Technical Fall, 22-4

149 – DeAndre Beck (HC) d. Eli Raatz (UO), Technical Fall, 16-1

157 – Deon Maxwell (HC) won by forfeit

165 – Jared Mercer (HC) d. Marcus Jones (UO), Fall, 6:26

174 – Monte Blade (UO) d. Wyatt Miller (HC), Fall, 1:28

184 – John Gruenwald (UO) d. Cody Dixon (HC), Fall, 2:22

197 – Jimmy Wheeler (UO) d. Jesse Herron (HC), 2-1

285 – Jesse Rowlen (HC) d. Christopher Aroche (UO), Fall, 1:26

Truett-McConnell 27, Huntingdon College 25

125 – Devonte Upshaw (TM) d. Ryan Brooks (HC), Fall, 2:19

133 – Mason Blakeney (HC) d. Jakaree Garrison (TM), Major Decision, 14-4

141 – Brandon Abejon (HC) d. Isaac Padilla (TM), Fall, 1:43

149 – DeAndre Beck (HC) won by forfeit

157 – David Capers (TM) d. Deon Maxwell (HC), 8-3

165 – Blaine Bird (TM) d. Jared Mercer (HC), Fall, 2:42

174 – Tyler O'Rear (TM) d. Wyatt Miller (HC), Injury Default

184 – Joey Cable (TM) d. Cody Dixon (HC), Fall, 3:21

197 – Jesse Herron (HC) d. Patrick Wasp (TM), 7-1

285 – Jesse Rowlen (HC) d. Ty Anderson (TM), Fall, 1:27

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