LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University wrestling team will compete in its first-ever dual match on Thursday at Cumberland (Tenn.) University before participating in the Campbellsville (Ky.) Duals on Saturday.

The Knights will travel to Cumberland for a 6 p.m. (ET) dual match. Saturday's Campbellsville Duals will begin at 9 a.m.

In the latter, Bellarmine will wrestle Newberry, Belmont Abbey, Truett McConnell and University of the Cumberlands.

"Newberry and Belmont Abbey are in our region, so these head-to-head matchups are crucial for region seeding in February, which the regional tournament determines if our guys go to nationals in March," Bellarmine Coach Spencer Adams said.

Adams noted that sophomore Cole Tawney (141 weight class), sophomore Andy Dobben (157), junior Mitch Rusch (165), sophomore Timothy Edwards (174), junior Ci'Vaughn Green (184), junior Brian Carman (197) and senior heavyweight Cody Gibbons could all face wrestlers ranked in the top 8 in the region, some of whom could also carry national rankings.

"I'm excited to see how these guys are going to wrestle when there are rankings, region seeding and national recognition on the line," Adams said. "We have a chance to prove ourselves for the first time as a program. We are not a great dual team this year, but we definitely have some talented individuals. I'm looking to this weekend as a gauge to see where our individuals really are in terms of having the capability to be at the national tournament in March."

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