CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #11 Campbellsville University men's wrestling team hosted the Campbellsville Duals Saturday, and the Tigers went 4-2.
Campbellsville hit the mat against the #7 Cumberland University Phoenix (W, 24-22), the #5 Reinhardt University Eagles (L, 15-35), the (RV) Rochester University Warriors (W, 39-12), the (RV) Truett-McConnell University Bears (W, 35-16), the (RV) Williams Baptist University Eagles (L, 24-26), and the #14 Lourdes University Gray Wolves (W, 30-20).
The Tigers started every dual down six points due to
Raymond Williams and
Chris Morales missing time in the 157-pound division. Despite the injury forfeits, Campbellsville made the most of their duals and came away with four huge wins over Cumberlands, Rochester, Truett-McConnell, and Lourdes.
Freshman
Zeke Escalera (6
th nationally in 133) went undefeated on the day with two pins. Escalera even bumped up to the 141 class against Cumberland to help the team get the tight win 24-22. Cumberland is currently coached by Campbellsville alum James Hicks.
Tombola Sindihebura (15
th nationally in 141) also rose to a higher weight class (149) to aid the team in securing victories through the day as All-American
Dayton Marvel and freshman standout
Tyler Muldrew (10
th nationally in 149) aim to be back soon.
In the 165 class,
Gavin Smith (9
th nationally in 165) secured a 7-2 decision victory over the #10 ranked wrestler in the nation on Reinhardt. All-American
Mahlic Sallah (14
th nationally in 174) returned to the lineup posting two pins going undefeated on the day. In that same division,
Brice Parks grabbed a win over a national qualifier from Williams Baptist and had a close match with an All-American from Reinhardt.
Curtis Thomas (197) pinned an individually ranked member of the Reinhardt Eagles and had two pins on the day total with no losses.
Gabe Martinez (16
th nationally in 197) also recorded two pins on the day helping the Tigers secure the win against Cumberland. 285 freshman
Gabe Craig returned to the lineup pinning the #12 ranked heavyweight from Reinhardt.
The Tigers return to action Thursday December 16
th at the Missouri Valley Duals Challenge in Marshall, Missouri.
