Waterloo, IA – The 13th-ranked University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling team turned in a 2-1 performance on Day 1 of the NWCA/NAIA National Duals, highlighted by wins over #7 Campbellsville and #18 Corban University. The Patriots advanced to the quarterfinals after a 29-12 opening win over #7 Campbellsville before falling to #3 Southeastern 28-8. They bounced back to close the day with a strong 30-10 victory over Corban University in the consolation bracket.
 
#13 Cumberlands Knocks Off #7 Campbellsville, 29-12
The Patriots started the day with an impressive win over MSC rival and 7th-ranked Campbellsville, taking seven of ten bouts — including three falls and a tech fall.
Elijah Valencia got UC rolling at 125 with a pin at 2:43 over Amari Harden. #20 Riley Bettich followed with a 4-2 decision at 133 over #4 Izaeah Beavers, and Ty Lehman added a sudden victory decision (10-5) at 149 over #5 Nicholas Yancey.
At 157, #16 Brice Coleman notched a fall in 6:05 over Anthony Joseph to extend the lead. After falling in a 13-10 decision at 165, Lane Kiser added six more points with a pin in 4:54 over Kaiden Bates at 184. Jovon Howe closed out the match with a 15-0 tech fall in just 1:50 over Ethan Heady at heavyweight.
 
#13 Cumberlands Falls to #3 Southeastern, 28-8
In the quarterfinals, the Patriots ran into #3 Southeastern squad and dropped the dual 28-8, managing just two match wins.
Valencia earned a major decision at 125, winning 8-0 over Brodie Christmas, and Bettich followed with a dominant 15-2 major at 133 against Erick Hair to give UC an early 8-0 lead.
Southeastern responded by winning the final eight bouts, including a pin at 157 and three straight major decisions from 184 through heavyweight. The Fire secured decisions in three close matches at 141, 149, and 174 to pull away for the team win.
 
#13 Cumberlands Rebounds with 30-10 Win Over #18 Corban University
The Patriots closed out the day on a high note, defeating #18 Corban University 30-10 by winning seven of ten matches — including two forfeits and a fall.
Valencia and Bettich both received forfeits at 125 and 133 to give UC an early 12-0 lead. Eli Peyton followed with a 5-3 decision at 141 over #23 Blake Runion, and Ty Lehman earned a 7-5 decision at 149 over #21 Bo Davis.
Marc Le Gaspe added a 12-5 win at 157, and Malachia Harris followed with an 8-5 decision at 165. Weston Melvin provided the lone fall of the match, pinning his opponent in 3:43 at 174.
Cumberlands dropped the final three bouts but had already built enough of a lead to close out the 20-point team victory.

 The Patriots will continue competition at the National Duals on Saturday, January 10^th, as they take on #10 Providence at 9 a.m. CT.

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