CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Four freshmen helped carry fourth-ranked Campbellsville University to a 29-16 Mid-South Conference dual victory over Cumberland University Tuesday night in Gosser Gym.

"Our freshmen are doing well for us. We weighed in five true freshmen tonight, and four of them got wins," Franky James, Campbellsville head coach, said.

Cole Manion, weighing in for only the third time this year at 125, started the night with a 12-4 major decision win against Cumberland's Chris Mosher. The Bulldogs forfeited their 133-pound match, giving Campbellsville an early 10-0 lead.

Cumberland pushed back with a win by decision at 141 pounds and then defending NAIA champion Jake Williams majored fourth-ranked Kyle Terry, 12-4, at 149 pounds to pull Cumberland within three points, 10-7.

Two-time All-American Shawn McGhee bounced back from a pair of recent Mid-South Conference losses to dominate Cumberland's Nate Croley, quickly working his way to an 18-1 tech fall in the first period. The bonus points gave the Tigers a 15-7 advantage.

Freshman LJ Henderson followed with a 14-1 major decision, just missing a tech fall, to give Campbellsville distance, 19-7.

"LJ has been a bright spot this season. He's getting better in every position – his offense and defense," James said. "He's a tough kid. We really need to get more guys like LJ."

The Tigers gave up nine team points in its next two weights, placing the dual in jeopardy, but freshmen Evan Decker and Nate Jackson finished strong.

Decker, a military veteran in his first season with Campbellsville, put on a clinic against Cumberland's Christian Varner en route to a 18-6 major decision to clinch the Tigers' win. Nate Jackson put the cherry on top, getting a late pin with 13 seconds remaining (6:47).

"I'm happy for Nate. He and Even just keep getting better. Evan wants it bad and wants to keep improving," James said.

Campbellsville (10-4, 2-2 MSC) will remain home this weekend for its final Mid-South Conference dual on Friday, Feb. 6. The Tigers will host University of the Cumberlands at 7 p.m. in Gosser Gym. 

 

No. 4 Campbellsville University 29, Cumberland University 16
125 – Cole Manion (CAKY) def. Chris Mosher (CUMB), MD 12-4 
133 – Davion Caston (CAKY) win by forfeit  
141 – Austin Meyn (CUMB) def. Ryu Ballard (CAKY), Dec. 6-4 
149 – Jake Williams (CUMB) def. #4 Kyle Terry (CAKY), MD 12-4
157 – #4 Shawn McGhee (CAKY) def. Nate Croley (CUMB), TF 18-1, 3:00
165 – LJ Henderson (CAKY) def. Peter Donchev (CUMB), MD 14-1
174 – Aric Fernandez (CUMB) def. Marvin Lawrence (CAKY), Dec. 8-4
184 – Kyle Delaune (CUMB) def. Jerron Thomas (CAKY), Fall 2:06 
197 – Evan Decker (CAKY) def. Christian Varner (CUMB), MD 18-6
285 – Nate Jackson (CAKY) def. Clifford Terrell (CUMB), Fall 6:47 

Campbellsville (10-4,2-2 MSC)
Cumberland (4-12, 1-3 MSC)