LEBANON, Tenn. – Fifth-ranked Campbellsville University wrestling defeated eighth-ranked Cumberland University on the road Friday, 26-19, in their Mid-South Conference opening dual.

The Tigers struggled at the start of the dual, taking a loss at 197 and pin at heavyweight. Campbellsville was down 9-0 going in to the 125 pound weight class, where fourth-ranked Cody Steiner turned the meet around with a pin against Nick Paden. Andrew Ferguson followed with a decision in the 133 pound weight class and Colby Rinehart won at 141 pounds through injury default to put Campbellsville in the lead, 15-9. 

Brandon Westerman, ranked No. 2 at 141 pounds, bumped up to the 149 weight class, and battled hard, but Cumberland added four more points to the board with an 8-0 major decision by Jake Williams. At 157 pounds, Shawn McGhee shut out Brian Shockley with a 16-0 tech fall in the second period, while 165-pounder Treyvontay Rhodes pinned his opponent to help stretch Campbellsville's lead, 26-13. The pin also locked up the Tigers' win as Campbellsville fell short in decisions at 174 and 184 pounds.

Campbellsville (20-4, 1-0 MSC) will return to duals action Jan. 25 at the Darton State College Duals, meeting St. Andrews College and Brewton Parker. Some of the Tiger wrestlers will return to action at Cumberland University on Saturday, Jan. 18, in the Cumberland Open, beginning at 10 a.m. EST.

Story by Toria Alsip

RESULTS