CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel wrestling team picked up its third victory of the season on Friday afternoon, defeating Limestone 28-10 inside McAlister Field House.
 
Sawyer Root (9-5) led things off for the Bulldogs at 184 pounds, taking a 10-4 decision over Limestone's Steve Decius to give The Citadel an early 3-0 lead. Marshall Haas (7-3) added to the lead at 197 pounds after earning a 5-1 decision giving the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead as junior Joe Bexley (5-4) took to the mat for the 285 bout. Bexley won easily, giving The Citadel a 12-0 lead after winning by technical default.
 
At 125 pounds, Patrick Kearney (1-5) lost in a close match by a 7-5 decision to make the score 12-3 heading into the 133-pound match. Limestone would add another four points to its team score after Caleb Smith (7-7) dropped the 133-pound match by an 11-2 major decision but the Saints then forfeited at 141 pounds, giving Ty Buckiso (7-4) the win. With four weight classes remaining, The Citadel held an 18-7 lead.
 
Matt Frisch (4-1) was the next Bulldog to take to the mat at 149 pounds. The senior took a 5-2 win by decision to increase The Citadel's lead to 21-7. In the 157-pound bout, Aaron Walker (9-3) held an 8-2 lead over Deandre Johnson heading into the third period. The junior had no trouble in the third period, cruising to a 17-5 win and effectively clinching the team win for the Bulldogs.
 
The next match featured Jason Carr (4-4) against Mac Mota at 165 pounds. Behind a last second takedown at the buzzer, Carr won by a 4-3 decision in his first appearance in a dual this season. The win pushed the score to 28-7 in favor of the Bulldogs.
 
Tim Knipl (8-4) was the last Bulldog to take the mat for the day and he faced Matt Ostemiller. Knipl had previously defeated Ostemiller at The Citadel Open in early November but Knipl was unable to duplicate the result and lost by a 7-4 decision.
 
The Citadel lost just three bouts en route to the 28-10 win and improved to 3-0 on the year.
 
Frisch and Haas will now head to Reno, Nevada, to compete in the Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday. As a team, The Citadel will return to the mat Jan. 1st and 2nd for the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Results will be available at CitadelSports.com following the completion of each day's events.
 
For more information on The Citadel wrestling, follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.