Wichita, KS – The #7 University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling team had five Patriots compete on day two of the 69th annual NAIA National Championships on Friday. Cumberlands currently sits in 16th place with 28 team points after the second day of competition.

At 285, #10 Austin Silva went 0-2 on day two to conclude his run at nationals. Silva opened the day in the championship quarterfinals against #2 Kenneth Copley (Embry-Riddle), where he fell by technical fall, 19-4. Dropping into the consolation bracket, Silva faced #4 Shane Cook (Grand View) and fell by a 7-3 decision to end his tournament.

174 wrestler #7 Weston Melvin also finished 0-2 on day two. Melvin faced #2 Roman Garcia (Central Methodist) in the championship quarterfinals and fell in a 7-2 decision. In the consolation bracket, he battled #12 Jagger Tyler (Dakota Wesleyan) but dropped a narrow 4-3 decision, concluding his time at nationals.

In the 125-weight class, #8 Matteo Vargo went 1-1 on the second day of competition. Competing in the consolation bracket, Vargo opened with a fall at 6:00 over Kyle Sieminski (Southern Oregon). He then faced fifth-seeded #5 Anthony Hughes (Marian) and fell by a 12-5 decision, ending his tournament.

133 wrestler #9 Riley Bettich posted a 1-1 record on day two. Bettich earned a 6-4 decision over Josiah Fernandez (Keiser) in the consolation bracket to advance. In his next match, he took on #4 Vincent Citrano (Oklahoma City) and fell by a 7-3 decision to wrap up his national tournament run.

At 157, #14 Brice Coleman competed in one match on Friday. Coleman faced #6 Ben Miller (Doane) in the consolation bracket and fell by a fall at the 4:34 mark to conclude his time at the national championships.

The NAIA National Championships will conclude Saturday in Wichita, KS.

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