Bristol, Tenn.- The King University men's wrestling team opened its home slate in dominant fashion, defeating Lincoln Memorial University 52–6. The Tornado controlled the dual from start to finish, earning bonus points in nearly every bout and showcasing both veteran leadership and emerging talent.
Match-by-Match Results
- 125 lbs – Phoenix Sandifer set the tone early, pinning Andrae Aguilera in 3:48 to give King its first six points.
- 133 lbs – Justin Pierce added to the lead with a win by forfeit, extending the Tornado advantage to 12–0.
- 141 lbs – Ashtan Hendricks continued the momentum, securing a fall over Porter Finstad in 5:00.
- 149 lbs – Jamarius Koshko followed with another pin, defeating James Thaxton in 4:15.
- 157 lbs – LMU earned its lone victory of the night as Jose Gutierrez pinned Elijah Brown in 4:14.
- 165 lbs – Joe Bertrand responded with a dominant technical fall, blanking Christopher Puryear 15–0 in 6:54.
- 174 lbs – Clinton Morrisette kept the pressure on, earning a technical fall over Justice McKague, 21–6 in just 2:08.
- 184 lbs – Luke Justice picked up a win by forfeit, adding six more points to King's tally.
- 197 lbs – Josef Pociask also won by forfeit, pushing the team score further out of reach.
- 285 lbs – Heavyweight Nathan Coley closed the dual with another forfeit victory, sealing the 52–6 team win.
Team Performance
King's lineup delivered a near-perfect performance, recording four pins and two technical falls while capitalizing on forfeits to build an insurmountable lead. The Tornado wrestlers showed aggression and efficiency, with Sandifer, Hendricks, and Koshko each earning falls in under five minutes, while Bertrand and Morrisette demonstrated dominance with technical falls that highlighted their offensive firepower.
LMU managed one victory at 157 lbs, but the Tornado's depth across the board proved overwhelming. The final team score of 52–6 reflects King's control of the dual and sets a strong tone for the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead
With this decisive win, King Wrestling builds momentum heading into upcoming Conference Carolinas competition. The Tornado will look to carry their aggressive style and balanced lineup into future matchups as they aim to establish themselves as one of the premier programs in the league.
Next Competition: Midwest Classic
King now turns its attention to the Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis on Saturday, December 13 – Sunday, December 14. The tournament is one of the most competitive regular-season events in collegiate wrestling, drawing top programs from across the country.
The Tornado will look to build on their dominant home opener and test themselves against elite national competition. With strong performances from veterans and newcomers alike, King enters the Midwest Classic with confidence and momentum.
