WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The #19 Campbellsville University women's wrestling team proved they can compete with the nation's best this weekend, posting a 4-3 record at the Patriot Duals hosted by the University of the Cumberlands. The Tigers finished 3rd in their opening day pool and closed the event with a strong showing against ranked competition.
- #7 Gaby Perez (145 lbs) and #8 Kylee Tait (160 lbs) secured massive victories over top-10 opponents, with Tait defeating #6 Bo Geibe (Indiana Tech) and Perez earning a tech fall over #8 Hayden Newberg (Indiana Tech) and a decision over #10 Genesis Gilmore (Cumberlands).
- The #19 Tigers posted a 4-3 record over the two-day event, picking up dual victories against Rochester Christian, Lindsey Wilson (Blue), Life University (Green), and Montreat.
- #10 Olivia Messerly added to the team's highlight reel with a first-period pin over #12 Presley Anderson of the University of the Cumberlands.
- Freshman Desi Lee (180 lbs) was a key point scorer, going 4-3 on the weekend with two pins and a technical fall, including a fall over Indiana Tech's Teagan Aurich.
- Campbellsville faced a gauntlet of ranked teams, battling against #3 University of Providence and #7 Indiana Tech, gaining valuable experience against the NAIA's elite.
The weekend was defined by statement wins from Campbellsville's veteran leaders against top-10 opponents.
At 160 pounds, #8
Kylee Tait delivered one of the tournament's biggest upsets. Facing #6 Bo Geibe of Indiana Tech, Tait wrestled a gritty match to earn a 4-3 decision victory. Tait finished the weekend with a 5-2 record, adding falls against Rochester Christian and Montreat to her resume.
#7
Gaby Perez was equally dominant at 145 pounds, going 5-2. She dismantled Indiana Tech's #8 Hayden Newberg with a 10-0 technical fall and gritted out a 5-2 decision over #10 Genesis Gilmore of the Cumberlands. Perez was a bonus-point machine for the Tigers, also recording a tech fall against Rochester Christian and a pin against Lindsey Wilson.
#10
Olivia Messerly went 4-2 on the weekend, highlighted by a signature win against the University of the Cumberlands. Messerly pinned #12 Presley Anderson in 2:23, providing a spark for the Tigers in their final dual. She also collected falls against Rochester Christian and Lindsey Wilson, along with a tech fall against Montreat.
Her sister, #18
Addison Messerly, posted a 4-3 record at 124 pounds. She was instrumental in the team's victories, securing falls against Lindsey Wilson and Montreat, and adding a 10-0 technical fall in the opener against Rochester Christian.
Freshman
Desi Lee continued her strong rookie campaign at 180 pounds. Lee went 4-3, providing crucial team points with pins against Lindsey Wilson and Indiana Tech, and a 12-2 tech fall against Life University's Green squad.
Rita Carey also contributed significantly, going 4-3 at 138 pounds. Carey picked up a pin against Life University and a tech fall against Lindsey Wilson.
Dual Results Summary:
- W vs. Rochester Christian University (29-20)
- L vs. #3 University of Providence (3-44)
- W vs. Lindsey Wilson Blue (29-19)
- L vs. #7 Indiana Tech (13-34)
- W vs. Life University Green (26-22)
- W vs. Montreat (25-22)
- L vs. University of the Cumberlands Blue (14-33)
The Tigers will take a break for finals and the holidays before returning to the mat on January 9th for the NWCA Multi-National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
