With the win, UNCG moved its overall record to 7-5. The team is currently 3-1 in the Southern Conference with four athletes undefeated against conference opponents. The loss dropped Gardner-Webb's dual record to 3-7.
The Spartans took control of the mat as sophomore Mitchell Johnson (9-12, 2-2 SoCon) opened up the evening with a 4:48 fall victory over Tommy Bennett (6-16) in the 125-pound bout. This was Johnson's fourth pin of the season.
Senior Jeff Hedges (18-9, 4-0 SoCon) added his second technical fall of the season as he defeated Matthew Featherston (0-11), 17-0. The No. 19 wrestler at 133-pounds was recently honored with the title of Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week.
UNCG's Ben Wilmore (4-10, 2-2 SoCon) went into the 141-pound bout with the Spartans leading GWU, 11-0. The senior added another four team points as he defeated Chas Franz (14-12) with a 14-6 major decision; his second major of the season.
The Spartans won three more matches in a row before the Bulldogs could mark the board with three points.
Junior Marcus Hannah (11-5, 3-1 SoCon) recorded his first major decision of the season as he took the 149-pound match with a 19-8 victory over Joshua Lowe (14-4). Senior Mark Ring (6-10, 2-1 SoCon) followed with a 17-2 technical fall over Austin Reece (6-12) at 157 pounds and redshirt freshman Bryon Sigmon (12-10, 3-1 SoCon) closed out the six-match shutout with an 8-5 decision over Brenden Couture (8-12).
The Bulldogs tallied their first team point as 174-pound Chad Davis (20-8) was able to hold off freshman Mikal McKee (10-13, 1-3 SoCon) to win a 3-2 overtime decision. Though GWU nabbed a win, UNCG still held a 27-3 advantage.
The Spartans shook off the loss with wins in the final three matches of the evening.
Senior Nick Clark (6-10, 2-2 SoCon) got UNCG back on stride with a 15-5 major decision over Matthias Piasecki (12-11) at 184-pounds, 11th-ranked senior Daren Burns (25-5, 4-0 SoCon) kept the momentum going with a 2-0 shutout over Dustin Porter (16-6) at 197 pounds, and junior Ryan Hsu (18-8, 4-0 SoCon) closed out the session in fashion with a 14-2 major decision over GWU's heavyweight, Evan Rhodes (3-11).
The Spartans will have the following week off as they prepare to take on Virginia Tech on Sunday, February 3 in Blacksburg, VA.
For more news on UNCG wrestling, ticket prices, a complete season schedule, and all other Spartan athletic information log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
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