Jefferson City, TN- The #12 ranked Campbellsville University wrestling team travelled to Carson Newman College this weekend to participate in the annual EdSouth Invitational. Until this year, the Tigers had never finished higher than 3rd in the EdSouth tournament. This year's tournament fielded 12 teams, including Carson-Newman, Newberry, Cumberland University, Campbellsville, Indianapolis, King College, Limestone, Marion Military, St. Andrews, University of the Cumberlands, North Carolina Pembroke and Newport News Apprentice. Campbellsville won the tournament by putting 4 wrestlers in the finals and placing 12 wrestlers in the top 4. Freshman Tommy Pretty was the Tigers lone champion as he captured the tournament title at 133 pounds. Tommy was 4-0 on the day with 2 pins and 2 wins by major decision. In the finals Tommy won by major decision over NCAA II All-American Andrew Young of Newberry College. Also reaching the finals for Campbellsville were Zach Flake at 141 pounds, Ruben Perez at 149 pounds and Spencer Adams at 184.
According to Coach James "this team is peaking at the right time and we are happy with how they are preparing and how they competed this weekend. "
Other CU place winners included Daniel Rucker and Johnny Papesh who met for 3rd place at 125. Tyler Voth who lost a first round match to Young of Newberry, but wrestled back with 5 straight wins to claim 3rd place at 133. Matt David suffered a 1st round loss to tournament champion Jeremy Parker in the first round and wrestled back to finish 3rd at 141 pounds. Seth Lucas battled to a 4th place finish at 149 pounds and Josh Ashbrook became a National Qualifier with his 4th place finish at 157 pounds. In the upper weight classes, CU put Freshman Spencer Adams in the finals at 184, while Glen Jackson finished 3rd at 197 and David Coffey became a National Qualifier with his 3rd place finish at 285.
Campbellsville is up next on the mats in St. Charles Missouri for the NAIA National Qualifier Tournament on February 21st.
