Marietta, GA – Derrick Bannister, Dylan Preston, and Bryce Nickel earned top-5 placements in their respective weight classes at the Life Open. Bannister placed third with a 5-2 record in 149, Preston placed fourth in 165 with a record of 3-2, and Nickel finished in fifth with a record of 4-2 in 141.

Bannister's first opponent was Noah Davis (Lindsey Wilson), who he beat by a 6-4 decision. Bannister moved on to take on Jorden Schlossman (Belmont Abbey). He won that match with a fall. Bannister then faced Rusty Craddock (Thomas More) and won by injury default. Bannister then lost by fall to Devin Griffen (Reinhardt). The next he won by no contest over Mitchell Freeman (Rio Grande). In the third-place match, Bannister would take on Logan Spell (Presbyterian) and won that one by fall in 3:40.

Preston's day started with a first round bye. In his first match he took on Patrick Werve (UNC Pembroke-Unattached), who he beat with a tech fall 18-3. Preston would then face off against Tommy Marby (Rio Grande) and lost by a 5-2 decision. Preston bounced back and got a 15-0 tech fall against Kailan Keith (Thomas More). Preston would then take on Chandler Diles (Brewton-Parker) and win in a fall in 5:38. In the third-place match, Preston took on Tanner Hill (Reinhardt) and loss by a 3-2 decision.

 #4 ranked Nickel started his day with a 7-3 decision win over Jordan Mitchell (Life). Following a bye, Nickel would fall in a 5-2 decision to Blake Gonzalez (Grand View). In his next match, Nickel won by a 6-5 decision over Anthony Caruso (Midway). Then, Nickel would take on Kael Brisker (Southeastern) and win by a 10-4 decision. Next, Nickel took on #6 Shea Ruffrigde (Grand View), and lost by major decision 14-2. In the fifth-place match, Nickel won by injury default over Jacob Ruiz (Life)

Following the Thanksgiving break, the Patriots will open up their dual schedule, taking on Midway at home on December 8^th at 7pm.

The Patriots wrestling team store is up and running. You can get all the Cumberlands wrestling gear you want by clicking here.

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