LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University wrestling team began its 2021-22 campaign and the Ned Shuck era with an exhilarating victory over Southern Illinois Edwardsville (SIUE) on Sunday afternoon at Knights Hall.  The Knights split its two home dual matches after a loss to Indiana later in the day.

Bellarmine defeated the Cougars in close fashion 19-18, thrilling the large crowd on hand.  After all 10 individual matches, the score was tied 18-18.  The officials went through tie-break criteria and Bellarmine earned the winning point by outscoring SIUE 57-53 in total match points.  In Bellarmine's second dual, the Knights were clipped 40-3 by Indiana.  IU also topped SIUE 40-3 in the second dual of the afternoon.

"It feels great as a coach when you ask your team to fight like madmen out there and they totally deliver," Shuck said. "The guys wrestled with passion.  They relentlessly attacked and created an environment that our huge crowd could get behind and appreciate.  I can't thank our fans enough for the huge outpouring of people that showed up for our first dual this year! We can't wait to pack Knights Hall again."

The Knights started out its opening dual strong as Jack Parker (125) defeated Tommy Dineen 17-10, giving Bellarmine a 3-0 lead.  That was followed by an 8-3 win for Max Dansereau (133) against Matt Malavsky to push the advantage to 6-0.  After an SIUE win by decision, Mitch Collica (149) edged Caden Green 3-2 to make it 9-3 Knights. 
 
One of the biggest moments of the match came from Cole Nance (157), when he pinned Max Kristoff with 25 seconds remaining in the third period (6:35).  That gave the Knights their largest lead of the dual at 15-3.  SIUE's Cardeionte Wilson topped Devan Hendricks (165) in a hard-fought battle 5-3, cutting the advantage to 15-6.  Senior Eric Beck (174) followed with a 13-8 victory, pushing Bellarmine ahead 18-6. 
 
The Cougars stormed back, however, with a Sergio Villalobos 9-7 win, pin from Austin Andres, and Aric Bohn 8-4 victory. That evened the score 18-18 preceding the Knights win by criteria.
 
"Our match against SIUE really captured the mentality and culture that we are trying to build, and I was impressed," senior captain Gavin Grime added.  "Cole Nance deserves a huge shout out.  He stepped up big time with that fall, and that goes back to his hard work and training."
 
The dual win over SIUE was Bellarmine's first in the Division I era that did not include a forfeit.  Last season, the Knights topped Presbyterian 32-18 which included three match wins via forfeit. 

Bellarmine's second dual was highlighted by a Hendricks (165) 4-1 versus IU's Sammy Cokeley.  Hendricks fully controlled the match, accumulating nearly three minutes of riding time.
 
Beck (174) fought hard until the final buzzer against Nick South, but fell 2-1.  Ultimately, Indiana won 40-3.

"Turning that first dual around from only having two match wins last year against SIUE, to winning the dual, is a tribute to our team's commitment to being their best with attitude, effort, and fight," Shuck added.  "Swords Up!"

Bellarmine is back in action on Saturday Nov. 13 at George Mason.  The Knights will face the host Patriots, Bucknell University, and Averett University at the Patriot Duals beginning at 10:00 a.m.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).
 
Bellarmine 19, SIUE 18
125: Jack Parker (BU) def. Tommy Dineen (SIUE), 17-10 by decision
133: Max Dansereau (BU) def. Matt Malavsky (SIUE), 8-3 by decision
141: Saul Ervin (SIUE) def. Logan Hoskins (BU), 9-2 by decision
149: Mitch Collica (BU) def. Caden Green (SIUE), 3-2 by decision
157: Cole Nance (BU) def. Max Kristoff (SIUE),  Fall (6:35)
165: Cardy Wilson (SIUE) def. Devan Hendricks (BU), 5-3 by decision
174: Eric Beck (BU) def. Kevin Gschwendtner (SIUE), 13-8 by decision
184: Sergio Villalobos (SIUE) def. Sam Schroeder (BU), 9-7 by decision
197: Austin Andres (SIUE) def. Bryant Wilkinson (BU), Fall (1:41)
285: Aric Bohn (SIUE) def. Charlie Cadell (BU), 8-4 by decision

Indiana 40, SIUE 3
125: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Tommy Dineen (SIUE), 18-2 by tech fall (5:42)
133: Brock Hudkins (IU) def. Matt Malavsky (SIUE), Fall (1:19)
141: Cayden Rooks (IU) def. Saul Ervin (SIUE), 3-2 by decision
149: Graham Rooks (IU) def. Caden Green (SIUE), 16-1 by tech fall (6:59)
157: Kasper McIntosh (IU) def. Max Kristoff (SIUE), 4-2 by decision
165: Cardy Wilson (SIUE) def. Matt Ortiz (IU), 7-6 by decision
174: Nick South (IU) def. Kevin Gschwendtner (SIUE), 4-1 by decision
184: DJ Washington (IU) def. Sergio Villalobos (SIUE), Fall (3:34)
197: Nick Willham (IU) def. Austin Andres (SIUE), Fall (5:58)
285: Jacob Bullock (IU) def. Aric Bohn (SIUE), 8-7 by decision

Indiana 40, Bellarmine 3
125: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Jack Parker (BU), 17-2 tech fall (2^nd period)
133: Brock Hudkins (IU) def. Max Dansereau (BU), 13-4 by major decision
141: Cayden Rooks (IU ) def. Logan Hoskins (BU), 13-4 by major decision
149: Graham Rooks (IU) def. Mitch Collica (BU), 17-5 by major decision
157: Kasper McIntosh (IU) def. Cole Nance (BU), 7-3 by decision
165: Devan Hendricks (BU) def. Sammy Cokeley (IU), 4-1 by decision
174: Nick South (IU) def. Eric Beck (BU), 2-1 by decision
184: DJ Washington (IU ) def. Sam Schroeder (BU), Fall (1:03)
197: Nick Willham (IU) def. Charlie Cadell (BU), 16-0 by tech fall (5:43)
285: Jacob Bullock (IU) win by forfeiture