Bellarmine began 2022 with its toughest tournament in program history.  The Knights competed with some of the top teams in the country at the Southern Scuffle (hosted by Chattanooga), which is considered the most challenging in-season collegiate wrestling tournament in the nation.

Led by wins from Devan Hendricks and Cole Nance, the Knights finished 28th over the two-day event.

"The guys got an awesome experience at the Southern Scuffle and battled hard," Knights Head Coach Ned Shuck said. "They got to see how close they are to the best competition in the country. In multiple matches that didn't quite go our way, our guys scored offensively and were in scoring positions to win their matches. We are really excited to get back to work and prepare for our next competition."
 
Hendricks (165) led the Knights with two victories, defeating John McClimon (Iowa) 17-1 by technical fall and Augustine Garcia (CSU-Bakersfield) 3-1 by decision.  Nance (157) corralled the other win for Bellarmine, knocking off Kenny O'Neil (South Dakota State) with 4-2 victory by decision.  All three of Nance's bouts were very competitive, each ending in a decision.  Along with the two wins for Hendricks, one of his losses was by decision as well.  The same is true for Eric Beck (174), who went winless, but fought hard in a pair of defeats by decision.  The other Bellarmine wrestlers to compete over the weekend were Mike Tortorice (133), Zac Cowan (149), Mitch Collica (149), and Sam Schroeder (184).
 
Hendricks and Nance are now tied for the team lead with five wins this season.
 
Bellarmine next competes at the Mat Mayhem Open on Thursday, Jan. 6 at the Kentucky Exposition Center directly next to Freedom Hall. 
 
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