CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The 14th-ranked Newberry College wrestling team went on the road to Campbellsville Duals and came away with a 4-0 weekend. The Wolves defeated Indiana Tech, ranked second in the NAIA, in a tense 19-16 affair and scored big wins over Bellarmine, Truett McConnell, and Brewton-Parker on the weekend.
The Wolves began their day against Super Region 2 foe Bellarmine. Newberry overpowered the Knights in the first four weight classes, including a pin from Austin Palmer in the 149-pound class, before allowing Bellarmine on the board. The Wolves capped off the dual with wins in the final five weight classes to take a 43-6 win.
Newberry easily disposed of Truett McConnell 52-0 in its second competition of the day, sweeping all 10 weight classes and allowing only 11 total match points in a 52-0 win.
Both early matchups would serve as a precursor to Newberry's bout with Indiana Tech, the second-ranked team in the NAIA ranks. The teams alternated wins in each of the first seven weight classes, with each team recording one four-point major decision. The Warriors surged ahead in the 184-pound matchup, however, after Dillion Francisco earned a pin to put the Warriors ahead 16-13.
But Cody Brundage and Nick Weldon took matters into their own hands. Brundage's narrow 7-6 win at 197 tied the score at 16 apiece, with everything riding on the matchup between Weldon and Oscar Martinez at 285. Weldon eked out a 3-2 win, securing a 19-16 victory for the Wolves and the team's first-ever dual win over a varsity team ranked in the top two of any division in school history.
The day's final match pitted Newberry against Brewton-Parker. Newberry gave up just three points, riding the momentum from the Indiana Tech victory to a 38-3 win and a 4-0 showing in Campbellsville.
“This weekend was a great weekend for our kids and program," said head coach Cy Wainwright. “Our kids showed resilience and persevered in a group effort that will make our team closer and stronger together.“
The Wolves will next take to the mat when they travel back to Kentucky for the Patriot Duals, hosted by the University of the Cumberlands, on Dec. 3.
