LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University wrestling team will engage in a marathon of duals on Sunday as the Knights will compete in the Newberry Duals in South Carolina.

Bellarmine will face three regional opponents in host Newberry, UNC Pembroke and Coker, and the Knights will also clash with Emmanuel. Wrestling action is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. (ET) at Eleazer Arena.

"These matches are very important for our individuals because the outcomes likely will decide seeding for the regional tournament, which is our national qualifying tournament," Bellarmine Coach Spencer Adams said. "Each dual we gain experience for our young team, and the guys are learning how to compete together as a team instead of as individuals."

Bellarmine's Great Lakes Valley Conference duals are over one month away, but when they arrive the Knights will face two league opponents each match day for three consecutive Saturdays. The Newberry Duals will serve as strong preparation for conference action.

"I think this will help us tremendously as we enter our conference dual season," Adams said. "With our team not being well-suited this year for duals, we have to learn how to bounce back from a loss and wrestle just as well the next match. As individuals, these tough duals are going to help our guys learn to bounce back after defeat. At the regional tournament in February, we will have to use the same mindset if they lose on the championship side of the bracket and have to come back to place top four to make the cut for nationals. The more we put our guys in these tough situations, the better they will handle it when it actually counts in February."

Sophomore Gage Branson is 12-1 and ranked fifth in the region at 141. Freshman Andrew Sams is 10-2 and ranked third at 174. Freshman Eric Beck is ranked fifth at 165 and freshman Alex Rhine is ranked eighth at 149.

"I think our team can win some duals this weekend, which would be a great confidence boost going into the grueling Mid-West Classic tournament (at UIndy) in two weeks," Adams said. "We don't have any matches scheduled between this weekend and the Mid-West Classic because I want our guys focused on their upcoming finals. We have prepared very well and have had a great week of practice so I anticipate that each guy will step on the mat and show improvement, which is ultimately our main emphasis."

NEWBERRY DUALS MEET INFORMATION

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