CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #5-ranked Campbellsville University men's wrestling team kicked off its 2025-26 season with a strong third-place finish at the Pepsi Patriot Open, hosted by #8 University of the Cumberlands. The Tigers amassed 187.5 team points, trailing only #3 Southeastern (289) and NCAA DII Montevallo (194).

One day after the Open, the Tigers traveled to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for a quad meet, facing opponents from three different NCAA divisions, going 2-1 in their duals.

• Freshman Ashton Boswell (197 lbs.) won his bracket at the Open, going 5-0 with two falls, a major decision, a decision, and a dominant 16-0 technical fall in the finals.
• Six Tigers placed in the top three of their brackets at the Open: Boswell (1st), Skylar Grant (2nd), Malachi Kapenga (3rd), Luke Schlosser (3rd), Kaiden Bates (3rd), and Anthony Joseph (3rd).
• Campbellsville (2-1) routed its non-DI opponents at the Chattanooga Quad, defeating King University 34-6 and Huntingdon College 41-4.
• Nik Yancey (149 lbs.) went 3-0 on the day, highlighted by a 13-2 major decision against UTC, a 20-3 tech fall over Huntingdon, and an 8-3 decision against King.
• Shadrick Slone (174 lbs.) was ruthlessly efficient in his 16-0 technical fall against Huntingdon, scoring a takedown, two four-point near falls, a three-point near fall, and a two-point near fall in just 1:49.
• The Tigers next take the mats at the Millikin Open on Saturday, November 8th in Decatur, Illinois.

The story of the tournament was the performance of the Tigers' first-year class, which competed in dedicated "Freshman" brackets.

Ashton Boswell (197 lbs. (freshman)) announced his arrival by claiming the individual title in his division. Boswell went 5-0, opening with a fall (1:42) and a 12-3 major decision. He added another fall (5:42) in the quarters, won his semifinal by a 14-9 decision, and dominated the first-place match with a 16-0 technical fall.

In the 174-lb. freshmen bracket, Skylar Grant earned a second-place finish. Grant tore through the bracket with an 18-9 major decision and two quick falls (5:49 and 0:34) before an injury default win in the semi. He fell 9-2 in the championship bout.

The Tigers secured four separate third-place finishes:

• Kaiden Bates (174 lbs. (freshman)) had a remarkable run, losing his first match 20-4 only to battle back with six consecutive victories. His path included four falls, one 18-0 technical fall, and a medical forfeit, culminating in a pin (1:37) in the 3rd place match.
• Malachi Kapenga (141 lbs. (freshman)) finished 5-1, recording two tech falls (21-3 and 16-0) and a fall (6:48). After a loss in the semifinals, he secured a 9-2 decision for third place.
• Luke Schlosser (165 lbs. (freshman)) also posted a 5-1 record, winning five straight in the consolation bracket—including a fall (5:54) and a 16-0 tech fall —after an early 4-2 decision loss.
• Competing in the Open division, Anthony Joseph (157 lbs.) was the lone podium placer. He went 4-1 to take third 36, winning by fall (2:37) and a 15-7 major decision en route to the semifinals.

Dual 1: Campbellsville 41, Huntingdon 4

The Tigers overwhelmed Huntingdon College, winning nine of the ten bouts and earning bonus points in seven of them. After Caleb Thomas dropped a major decision at 125 lbs, Campbellsville rattled off nine straight victories. The run was a clinic in bonus points.

Shadrick Slone (174 lbs.) was ruthlessly efficient in a 16-0 technical fall, securing a takedown, two four-point near falls, a three-point near fall, a two-point near fall, and riding time, all in the first 1:49 of the match. Izaeah Beavers (133 lbs.), Nik Yancey (149 lbs.), Jasitin Kubwimana (165 lbs.), and Brice Parks (184 lbs.) all added dominant technical falls of their own. Nick Moore (141 lbs.) added a pin at 3:47, and Antwaun Burns (157 lbs.) secured a 16-4 major decision.

Dual 2: Campbellsville 34, King 6

Campbellsville continued its dominance against NCAA Division II King University, winning eight of the ten matches. Caleb Thomas (125 lbs.) bounced back from his earlier loss to set the tone, winning by a 19-3 tech fall. Wyatt Hinton (133 lbs.) followed immediately with a first-period fall at 1:02 after securing a takedown and a four-point near fall. Bryant Beane (141 lbs.) and Shadrick Slone (174 lbs.) both posted major decisions, while Jasitin Kubwimana (165 lbs.) won by forfeit. Yancey (8-3), Burns (7-3), and Parks (4-2) all contributed decisions to seal the 34-6 victory.

Dual 3: Chattanooga 37, Campbellsville 4

The Tigers' winning streak came to an end against the hosts from NCAA Division I. The Mocs' talent was evident as they took nine of the ten bouts. The lone bright spot for Campbellsville came at 149 lbs, where Nik Yancey completed his undefeated day by defeating Billy Meiszner in a 13-2 major decision.

While the team score was lopsided, the Tigers battled hard. Jasitin Kubwimana (165 lbs.) dropped a tight 2-0 decision, Nick Moore (141 lbs.) lost 8-2, and Joel Hatchett (197 lbs.) fell 5-1. The Mocs' other wins came via two technical falls, three major decisions, and one fall at 285 lbs.