CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Senior Nick Montgomery of the Cleveland State University wrestling team placed eighth, as the Southern Scuffle concluded Monday evening inside the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's McKenzie Arena.
Montgomery was the only unseeded wrestler to place at the 149-pound weight class in this year's event. Seven of the top 19 wrestlers at 149, according to Intermat's national rankings, competed in this year's Scuffle.
Montgomery began his day with a with a thrilling win over Kennedy Monday of North Carolina.
Monday had a 4-3 edge after two periods, but Montgomery quickly evened the match just nine seconds into the final frame with an escape. Montgomery then surged ahead with a takedown, but Monday came back to take an 8-6 lead with under 30 seconds remaining. Montgomery was able to escape to pull within a point and then secured a takedown with under 10 seconds to go to all but clinch the match. Montgomery claimed a 10-8 decision after getting a point for riding time.
Montgomery fell in the consolation quarterfinals by way of major decision to No. 6 seed Matt Cimato, who is ranked among the top 20 nationally. He then competed in a seventh-place match against another seeded athlete and dropped an 8-3 decision. That bout was closer than the final score would indicate as Montgomery had the lead within the final minute. His opponent was able to secure near fall points in the final five seconds to secure the victory and increase the final margin.
Montgomery had advanced to the championship quarterfinals Sunday with a pair of pins in the round of 32 and the round of 16, including taking down the seventh seed via fall in under 100 seconds.
Montgomery's finish gives the Vikings four place-winners at the Southern Scuffle in the past three seasons. He is also the first Viking to place at the 149-pound weight class in the Scuffle since CSU started attending the event five years ago.
Cleveland State currently sits 21st in the team scoring, one spot higher than yesterday, as it finished the event with 15.5 points.
This event served as the Vikings' final non-dual action of the regular season. CSU will return to the mats Sunday, Jan. 15, as it begins league action with a dual at George Mason.
CSU Results at the Southern Scuffle (Day Two)
149
Consolation Sixth Round: Nick Montgomery (CSU) over Kennedy Monday (North Carolina) - 10-8 dec.
Consolation Quarterfinals: No. 6 Matt Cimato (Drexel) over Montgomery (CSU) - 11-0 MD
Seventh-Place Match: No. 7 Matthew Zovistoski (Appalachian State) over Montgomery (CSU) - 8-3 dec.