RALEIGH, N.C. – Redshirt senior Christian Monserrat upset No. 4 Justin Oliver in the 149-pound bout, as the West Virginia University wrestling team dropped a 26-10 dual to No. 9 NC State on Sunday afternoon, at Reynolds Coliseum, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
Monserrat, a native of Methuen, Massachusetts, squared off against Oliver for the second time this season, as he avenged his 18-3 loss at the Journeymen/MyHouse Collegiate Classic on Nov. 11. With the win, Monserrat improves to 15-3 on the year and 11-0 in dual action.
 
In the sixth match of the day, Monserrat and Oliver remained scoreless entering the second period. Oliver deferred his choice, as Monserrat chose to start on his feet, earning a takedown for the 2-1 lead into the final frame. Oliver elected to start the third on bottom, but Monserrat rode him through the period and added on the riding time point for the hard-fought 3-1 victory over the fourth-ranked wrestler in the nation at 149 pounds.
 
"Despite the loss, we had some great individual performances," said first-year coach Tim Flynn. "Christian beat a highly ranked guy and that's a testament to his training and preparation. That shows if he wrestles his best then he can compete with the best in the nation, and that is exciting."
 
Additionally, junior Brandon Ngati (HWT) and redshirt freshman KJ Fenstermacher (133) each earned wins at their respective weights, as Fenstermacher came away with his second bonus-point victory of the season at 133 pounds.
 
The Mountaineers (2-9, 2-2 Big 12) started the match in a 3-0 hole, as redshirt freshman Noah Adams dropped a 12-6 decision to No. 19 Malik McDonald at 197 pounds. Both grapplers entered the second scoreless, with Adams electing to start in the defensive position. Despite an early escape, McDonald racked up a takedown and four nearfall points for the 6-3 lead into the final frame. Adams scored a takedown in the third, but it wasn't enough, as McDonald used a pair of escapes and two takedowns for the 12-6 decision. 
 
Down 3-0 in team scoring, Ngati picked up his fifth straight dual win of the season, defeating Deonte Wilson in a 3-2 decision at heavyweight. Ngati earned a second-period escape to take a slim 1-0 lead, as both grapplers started the third on their feet. Wilson took advantage of a penalty point to knot the score at one-all, but Ngati used a takedown to put the score back in his favor at 3-1. Wilson quickly escaped, but Ngati held on to claim the 3-2 decision and tie the team score at 3-3.
 
Redshirt freshman Joey Thomas dropped a 13-3 major decision to Zurich Storm at 125 pounds, but Fenstermacher countered with a 10-2 major decision over John Devine in the next bout to tie the team score once again at 7-7.
 
NC State took a five-point lead into the break though, as Jamel Morris posted a 16-0 technical fall over true freshman Caleb Rea at 141 pounds.
 
Following a five-minute intermission, Monserrat did his part and secured a win over a top-five wrestler to cut the Mountaineers' deficit to two at 12-10 with four bouts remaining.
 
At 157 pounds, No. 4 Hayden Hidlay won by fall over redshirt junior Zachary Moore to increase the Wolfpack's lead to eight and never look back. NC State then added a win by decision and a tech. fall victory at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, before both teams ended the match with a double forfeit at 184 pounds.
 
Looking ahead, The Mountaineers return to the WVU Coliseum for the first time since Dec. 19, as West Virginia welcomes Oklahoma State on Friday, Jan. 18, for an 8 p.m. dual. Iowa State also comes to Morgantown on Jan. 20 for a 1 p.m. matchup.
 
Family Day is scheduled for the Oklahoma State match on Friday, Jan. 18. Families can purchase four tickets and receive a $15 concession voucher for $25. Mountaineer Maniac students also in attendance will receive free food and a giveaway item. Additionally, the Mountaineers will sign autographs following the match.
 
The Mountaineers' annual Cradles for Cancer for breast cancer awareness is set for WVU's contest against Iowa State on Sunday, Jan. 20. WVU Medicine will sponsor the match and will collect donations for the WVU Cancer Institute. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and can get the WVU sports official "pink" t-shirt with a donation of $10 or more to WVU Medicine. Autographs also will take place following the match.
 
No. 9 NC State 26, West Virginia 10
197: No. -/20/19 Malik McDonald (NCSU) dec. Noah Adams (WVU), 12-6
HWT: Brandon Ngati (WVU) dec. Deonte Wilson (NCSU), 3-2
125: Zurich Storm (NCSU) major dec. Joey Thomas (WVU), 13-3
133: KJ Fenstermacher (WVU) major dec. John Devine (NCSU), 10-2
141: Jamel Morris (NCSU) tech. fall Caleb Rea (WVU), 16-0 [5:00]
149: Christian Monserrat (WVU) dec. No. 6/4/4 Justin Oliver (NCSU), 3-1
157: No. 4/4/4 Hayden Hidlay (NCSU) wins by fall Zachary Moore (WVU), F 3:00
165: No. 15/18/- Thomas Bullard (NCSU) dec. No. 20/-/19 Nick Kiussis (WVU), 9-5
174: No. 19/-/- Daniel Bullard (NCSU) tech. fall James Wujek (WVU) 18-0 [3:45]
184: No match
 
Rankings are listed as follows: The Open Mat/FloWrestling/Intermat
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.