LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine wrestling competed in its first dual and first home event on Wednesday night, and the Knights put together an exhilarating victory.
 
Bellarmine (1-0) faced its old GLVC rival Lindenwood (1-3) for the second time in program history, this time in Division I, and pulled out a 23-15 win.
 
The dual ultimately came down to the final match, with Bellarmine on top 17-15 heading into the heavyweight bout.  Bellarmine freshman Thadd Huff faced off against Michael Kramer and delivered under pressure.  With seven pins out of his nine victories entering Wednesday, Huff pinned Kramer to seal the Bellarmine win.
 
"Wow, our guys had a ton of fight tonight," Knights Head Coach Ned Shuck said. "We had some guys step in that had less than ideal preparation or wrestled in a weight class above their normal weight, and they stepped up and embraced the challenge. It was a huge team effort tonight, and it felt so good to cap it off with a match-sealing pin!"
 
It was a team effort indeed prior to Huff's deciding pin.  Trailing 3-0 entering the 133 bout, freshman Michael Schiffhauer defeated Caiden Pelc (7-2 by decision) to give Bellarmine its first win of the night and even the overall score 3-3.  Lindenwood took the 141 match, but BU responded at 149 with a Zac Cowan 16-5 win by major decision over Ben Bohr.  That victory gave Bellarmine the lead and the Knights never gave it up.
 
Bellarmine was aided by a Lindenwood forfeit at 157 before Cole Nance fell by decision in a tough battle against Lindenwood's Gavin Londoff.  With Bellarmine ahead 13-9, Devan Hendricks expanded the lead by defeating Luke Dickhaus in dominating fashion (18-5 by major decision).  The Lions cut the lead down to two, however, with wins by decision at 184 and 197.  With a 17-15 edge for the Knights, that set up the match-sealing pin for Huff at heavyweight.
 
"Our season ticket holders, and all of our fans got a great show tonight with a big knock out finish," Shuck added.  "I loved the energy the fans brought for our guys, and I can't wait for our next home dual. Go Knights!"

Bellarmine has three weeks off before its next scheduled dual.  The Knights will face Appalachian State in their SoCon opening dual on Dec. 20 in Boone, N.C.
 
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Bellarmine 23 – Lindenwood 15      
 
125: Austin Kegley (LIN) def. Jack Parker (BU), 12-10 by decision
133: Michael Schiffhauer (BU) def. Caiden Pelc (LIN), 7-2 by decision
141:  Kalen Napier (LIN) def. Trayce Eckman (BU), |11-7 by decision
149:  Zac Cowan (BU) def. Ben Bohr (LIN), 16-5 by major decision
157:  Kysen Montgomery (BU) Wins By Forfeiture
165:  Gavin Londoff (LIN) def. Cole Nance (BU), 6-4 by decision
174:  Devan Hendricks (BU) def. Luke Dickhaus (LIN), 18-5 by major decision
184:  Austin Raynor (LIN) def. Kennedy Wyatt (BU), 7-4 by decision
197:  Ryan Golnick (LIN) def. Royce Hall (BU), 5-2 by decision
Hwt: Thadd Huff (BU) def. Michael Kramer (LIN), Fall (2:30)
*Exhibition (184): Noah Rowlett (BU) def. Cody Thurston (LIN), Fall (1:07)