Carolinian

Issue date: 2/7/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: JOHN READ/THE CAROLINIAN Kevin Artis (141 pounds) is getting used to having his arm raised after matches this season. The senior from Baltimore, MD earned his 20th win of the season versus N.C. State.

After beginning the season with the best ten-match start in UNCG history, the Spartans lost only their second match of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 1 in a tight 22-17 match versus N.C. State. The match went back and forth, with the Wolfpack taking the first lead.

N.C. State's Jeremy Hartrum (125 lbs.) pinned the Spartans' Justin Walp in 4:20 to give the Wolfpack a 6-0 lead to start the match. The Spartans quickly retaliated by winning the next two matches to take the lead. Chris Bencivenga defeated N.C. State's Garrett Cummings in the 133 lbs. weight class in a 9-6 decision victory, then UNCG's Kevin Artis (141 lbs.) pinned the Wolfpack's Jalil Dozier in 3:19 to give the Spartans a 9-6 team advantage.

The Wolfpack proceeded to win the next two matches. Joe Caramanica defeated the Spartans' Cody Harrington (149 lbs.) 8-5 and Kody Hamrah took a major decision from UNCG's Nathan Berryman, 11-1, to give the Wolfpack a 13-9 advantage. UNCG's Mark Ring (165 lbs.) then brought the Spartans back within one point, earning an 8-6 decision over N.C. State's Obie Simpson.

With the Spartans threatening, N.C. State earned two key wins to give the Wolfpack a 19-12 advantage. Rick Brownlee of N.C. State took a 7-5 decision win from UNCG's Joe Lowe in the 174 lbs. weight class and the Wolfpack's Jeremy Colbert defeated UNCG's Kane Smith 5-1.

With two matches remaining, the Spartans needed to earn seven points, meaning two decision wins would not be enough. Daren Burns did his part, earning a technical fall versus N.C. State's Mark Jahad in 4:42, bringing the Spartans within two points, 19-17. Down by two, needing only a decision from their nationally ranked heavyweight, Tyler Shovlin, the Spartans appeared to have the match right where they wanted it. But Shovlin lost a close 3-2 decision to N.C. State's Jainor Palma, making the final score N.C. State 22, UNCG 19.

The Spartans wrestled Old Dominion in Norfolk Virginia on Sunday, but scores were not available at press time. The Spartans next match is an out-of-conference bout versus Maryland, Saturday at 10:30 am in Fleming Gym.

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