LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time since Dec. 20, Bellarmine wrestling will compete in a pair of SoCon duals this weekend.  The Knights face Gardner-Webb on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. before a 1:00 p.m. matchup at Davidson on Sunday afternoon.
 
Bellarmine's slate was most recently occupied by invitationals, and the Knights were quite successful.  Last weekend, Bellarmine competed in the NUWAY College Open and NWCA National Duals.  Both tournaments were at the Louisville Expo Center, and the Knights piled up plenty of team and individual success.
 
In the NUWAY College Open, Bellarmine totaled 33 victories, while freshmen Damion Ryan (125) and Trayce Eckman (133) won their respective weight classes.  BU's win percentage of 73 percent ranked fifth out of 41 total teams. 
 
Bellarmine's win rate was even better in the NWCA National Duals, as seven Knights wrestlers went undefeated, and the team posted a 6-0 record on its way to a NCWA Division championship.  Jack Parker (125), Michael Schiffhauer (133), Zac Cowan (149), Grant O'Dell (157), Cole Nance (165), Devan Hendricks (174), and Kennedy Wyatt (184) all went 6-0.  Thadd Huff (235) and William Muckler (285) went 5-1 in their bouts last weekend.  Head Coach Ned Shuck was pleased with how his team made the most of the opportunity:
 
"What an amazing opportunity and event right in our backyard," Shuck said.  "We are so thankful for the NCWA in welcoming us into their National Duals as a transitioning D1 team as they have with others in the past. Our guys work their butts off every day to get an opportunity for a National Dual Title and post-season National tournament. Without the NCWA that doesn't happen for us yet."

Now the Knights turn their attention to conference action.  Gardner-Webb, picked to finish fourth in the SoCon, is 1-6 in duals this season and has lost six straight.  Their lone dual victory came versus Bloomsburg on Dec. 2.  Most recently, the Runnin' Bulldogs fell 37-6 to no. 17 Nebraska and 25-12 to Campbell.  Last season, Gardner-Webb snuck out a 24-15 victory over Bellarmine in Knights Hall. 
 
Davidson has posted a 2-4 dual record this year and is 1-0 in SoCon action.  The Wildcats, picked to finish sixth in the SoCon, earned their two victories versus Queens (42-4) and Presbyterian (26-7).  They last competed in a dual on Jan. 5, losing to Brown 22-19.   In last year's meeting, Bellarmine led 19-14 going into the final bout, before a pin gave Davidson the 20-19 win in Knights Hall.
 
Based on Bellarmine's lineup from its last dual, however, the Knights have seven new wrestlers set to compete in this year's meetings with Gardner-Webb and Davidson.
 
Friday's dual at Gardner-Webb can be viewed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

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