FINDLAY, Ohio – The Campbellsville University Tigers traveled to Findlay, Ohio, to wrestle in the prestigious NCAA Division Two Finlay Open on Saturday. With nationally ranked teams represented from NCAA Division One, Division Two, Division Three, and NAIA Universities, the men battled in a 64-man bracket. The Tigers were led by Shad Slone and Gabe Craig, earning first-place finishes in their respective brackets. Campbellsville had four placers overall.
Slone, wrestling in the 174-lbs. weight-class, won all five of his matches over the weekend. Storming through one of the toughest brackets of the tournament, Slone knocked off four nationally ranked division two competitors. He beat the NCAA Division Two returning National Champion, who is currently ranked first. Slone earned his wins by technical fall twice (15-0 over Indiana Tech's Griff Bekish and 16-0 over Glenville State's Zach Holstion, by decision twice (10-6 over Baldwin Wallace's Thomas West and 8-6 over Grand Valley State's Josh Kenny, and by fall in the first-place match (0:46 over Wisconsin-Parker's Brady Schuh).
Craig, wrestling in the 285-lbs. weight-class, won all five of his matches over the weekend, winning over numerous nationally ranked Division Two competitors. Craig's victories were earned by fall three times (0:19 over Wilmington's Jermiah Jones, 4:58 over Ashland University's Mason Mustain, and 2:58 over Glenville State's Colby Whitehill), by major decision (18-7 over McKendree's Tyler Haynes), and sudden victory in the first-place match (4-1 over Grand Valley State's Carter Blough).
Nik Yancey placed third in the 149-lbs. weight-class. Yancey finished the weekend with a record of 5-1, winning by decision in four of his five matches won. His final victory was earned by sudden victory in the third-place match, winning over Baldwin Wallace's Emmanuel Scordos.
Campbellsville's Jasitin Kubwimana was the final Tiger to place in the top eight. Kubwimana, wrestling at 165 lbs., earned a seventh-place finish with a record of 4-2, with victories coming from decision three times and a major decision.
The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, November 23rd, in Marietta, Georgia, to take part in the Life Open.
