Takedown Report

One for the Thumb – No. 15 Lander Dominates Twice to Win Fifth Straight Conference Carolinas Title

PEMBROKE, N.C. – The 15th-ranked Lander Wrestling team turned in one of the most dominant days in program history Sunday, winning 19 of 20 bouts to claim their fifth-straight league crown at the Conference Carolinas Wrestling Championship inside Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
Lander rolled past Belmont Abbey, 43-3, in the semifinals before shutting out host and 24th-ranked UNC Pembroke, 39-(-2), in the championship match. Both victories marked the largest margins over each opponent in program history. The title is Lander’s third under the current Conference Carolinas banner, to go along with two South Atlantic Conference Carolinas championships.
The Bearcats’ 43 points in the semifinal were their most ever in the Conference Carolinas Championship, while the 39 points in the title bout were the most in a championship match in program history and the second-most ever at the championship site.

Semifinal: #15 Lander 43, Belmont Abbey 3
Lander made sure there would be no repeat of November’s early deficit against the Crusaders.
Kaden Kuenzi and #7 James Joplin opened the dual with bonus-point wins to stake the Bearcats to a 9-0 lead. After Belmont Abbey picked up its lone win at 141, Lander slammed the door with seven straight victories, six coming with bonus points.
Isham Peace earned his fourth major decision of the season at 149, and Noah Roulo shook off a frantic opening period at 157 to roll to a 27-11 technical fall. David Hunsberger pushed his Division II-leading tech fall total to 12 with a 19-3 victory.
Maxwell Kiel clinched the dual with a shutout major decision against his former team. Dylan Kohn added another major at 184 before Marvelous Rutledge and Isaac Sheeren capped the rout with first-period pins…. more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2026/2/15/wrestling-one-for-the-thumb-no-15-lander-dominates-twice-to-win-fifth-straight-conference-carolinas-title.aspx

February 20, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized