Jefferson City, TN -  Kaci Payne (SR/Pulaski, VA) became the first four-time National Qualifier for Campbellsville University when he placed 3rd at the EdSouth this weekend.   Campbellsville placed third overall in the ten team tournament hosted by Carson-Newman College. 

 

Campbellsville now has 14 wrestlers who have qualified for the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament and head coach Franky James says the top 12 wrestlers have been determined as the team heads into the East Region and National Tournaments.

At the EdSouth Invitational, Zach Flake made it to the finals and defaulted because of a sore knee at 141.

 

At 149, Josh Mason placed 5th.

 

 At 157 David Clemens won the tournament with a win over nationally ranked Scott Horton of Indianapolis . Also at 157 George Sheppard placed 3rd after losing a first round match to Horton.

 

At 165 Chris Branam placed 5th.

 

At 174 Johnny Sinchok finished 3rd.

 

Glen Jackson made it to the finals where he dropped a 9-4 decision and finished 2nd at 197. 

 

Chad Brown finished in 6th place at 285.

 

According to James the top 12 wrestlers for the Tigers and a brief synopsis of each wrestler heading into the Regional Touranment are as follows: 

 

James Hicks-125- will recover in time for the East Region.

Kaci Payne- 133 continues to improve and is now a legitimate All-American threat

Zach Flake- 141-returned to the mat this weekend with two pins and a win over # 7 ranked Rissler of King

Kyle Norred 141- Has a win over # 5 ranked Graham and will be a threat at the National Tournament

Josh Mason 149- Has beaten the # 3 ranked man at his weight and can compete with anybody. Could be a real darkhorse at the National Tournament.

 

David Clemens 157- Is ready to win his first National Title this year.

George Sheppard 157- Is a freshman that could challenge Dave at the National Tournament. Has not lost to an NAIA wrestler at 157.

 

Chris Branam-165- Has beaten ranked opponents and is consistent. Great chance to be an All-American  this year

Bryan Wells- 165 Is only a sophomore and has been up and down. Has the ability to have a big tournament in March

Johnny Sinchok- 174 Having a great freshman year. Could go all the way this year and is a definite All-American candidate

Glen Jackson- 197 Glen has had a good year and is looking really focused right now. Expect a big National Tournament.

Chad Brown-285 Is learning how to win the close matches and could be a dangerous opponent in March.

 

James added, "if James Hicks or Zach Flake have trouble recovering from EdSouth injuries, we could see Daniel Rucker, Marc Macias, James Linker, Josh Deadrick or Patrick Driscoll get into our top 12. From top to bottom all 12 of our National Qualifiers have a chance to All American at this years National Tournament and put the team in a position to do better than our 7th place finish in 2006-07."