LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After toppling the No. 8 team in the NAIA, Campbellsville men's wrestling came up just short of back-to-back upsets during the first day of the NWCA-NAIA National Duals.
No. 5 University of the Cumberlands won by a final score of 19-12 as the Patriots won a tight meet that came down to the final match to determine a winner. All but one match was one by decision and the match that wasn't was a major decision.
The Patriots won the three of the first four matches of the dual at the 125, 133 and 149 weight classes. Hayden Lee won a 6-2 decision over
Jordan Martinez at 125 lbs., Jacob Seto won a 9-5 decision over
Marvin Galette at 133 lbs. and Tres Leon won a 10-1 major decision over
Jaedin Sklapsky 10-1 at 149 lbs. to jump out to a 10-3 lead. The three points came from
Aaron Rugnao at 141 lbs. as he won a 6-2 decision over Chasen Brown.
The Tigers returned the favor by then winning three of the next four matches at the 157, 174 and 184 weight classes.
Chandler Woenker won a 5-4 decision over Jacob McNutt at 157 lbs.,
Mahlic Sallah won a 11-7 decision over Jarod Swank at 174 lbs. and
Aaron Mosley won a tight decision 8-6 over Max Emerson at 184lbs. to bring the meet within a point at 13-12.
Coming down to the wire, Cumberlands came away with the wins they needed to have with back-to-back decisions in the 197 and 285 divisions. Eric Deluse defeated David Richardson by decision 2-0 to pull ahead 16-12. Then with
Ashton Mutuwa needing a major decision or better for CU to tie, Aaron Johnson picked up the win over Mutuwa 3-2 by decision.
In the double-elimination format, the Tigers are still alive but will now head over to the elimination side where they will face the winner of Marian and Baker at 5 p.m. ET in Freedom Hall later today.
