Christian Decatur, left, and brother, Tim, will join the University of Mount Olive wrestling program this fall. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
A “package deal” recently arrived on the University of Mount Olive campus.
Head wrestling coach Dan Willis is eager to open it, but he’ll have to wait until the winter to unveil what’s inside.
The contents may raise a few eyebrows.
Already etched in Wayne County grappling lore, brothers Tim and Christian Decatur have returned home to join the Trojans’ program. The duo spent last season at Newberry College.
“I’m very excited to have them come back, and they know a lot of guys on the team,” Willis said. “Not only are they good wrestlers, but I feel like they’re going to fit in well with our guys on the team … add to the unity. They’ll be able to thrive in this program.”
Each took a different path to Pickle Town, however.
A season-ending injury sidelined Tim.
The hardship allowed the senior to concentrate on his major in psychology and minor in criminal justice. He posted a 4.0 grade-point and achieved the highest academic honor bestowed on Newberry graduates — induction into the prestigious Newberry College Bachman Honor Society.
Yet, he felt empty.
Something was missing.
“One night I was just sitting there and it clicked in my brain that I wouldn’t go on my journey because I had an injury,” said Tim, who started his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina. “I saw all of my teammates going to nationals and I saw guys I beat placing at nationals so that made me want to come back and get with UMO.”
He weighed his options, spent countless hours researching schools and, most importantly, discussed his decision with his grandparents.
The four-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American said UMO was his best choice. He’s been accepted into grad school and plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical medical health counseling.
Christian started at Pembroke University.
He eventually transferred to Newberry, but didn’t have the career he anticipated. When Tim entered the transfer portal and eyed UMO, he followed suit.
The younger sibling is a sports management major who has aspirations of a broadcast career.
“I’m really moving around to go with what is the best fit for me,” Christian said. “The best thing for me, at this point, especially taking a visit here at Mount Olive, we’re home. We’re with each other. We’re comfortable where we’re at … comfortable and kind of know the environment.
“Everything we’ve looked for is here. I’m feeling confident that this could be the place that my potential is fully unleashed. I’m looking forward to it.”
Willis said NCAA transfer rules require Christian to sit out 2024.
Tim is immediately eligible to compete.
They’ll have to wait a year to join each other in the starting lineup, a fantasy that never became reality at Newberry.
UMO is coming off its best season on the mat.
The Trojans logged school records in total dual-team wins (12), conference wins (six) and finished second behind powerhouse Lander in the region. Willis took five qualifiers to nationals and coached his first All-American — Mike Vernagallo.
That’s not to mention seven NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
“We want to be on a team that is winning, but also that we know we can add to them,” Tim said. “Be a part of the family, come in and contribute to what they are doing. With the addition of us and another friend, David Bertram, we’ve been talking to, we’re going to be a power team.
“Coach was really excited that we’re coming here because he knows that we could be a huge contribution to the team.”
Is it winter yet?
