LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Friday night will go down as the biggest day in Bellarmine University wrestling program history. The Knights hosted perennial powerhouse No. 2 Iowa in Knights Hall, welcoming a record setting 2,285 Bellarmine fans.
 
"We had a fun night. It was a really monumental moment for our program," said head coach Ned Shuck. "
 
Bellarmine pulled out all the stops, bringing in Danny Wimmer Presents to put on the best show possible, incorporating smoke, lights, pyrotechnics and the best rock music to enhance the fan experience.
 
"I'm super grateful for everyone here in Kentucky and southern Indiana who showed up to help us have a sell out crowd. They were all loud and rowdy and following along with the DWP production and it created an unbelievable atmosphere." Shuck said of tonight's environment.
 
The Knights battled hard on the mat, despite what the 49-0 score would say.
 
"I loved the fight from the team tonight, it may not have gone our way on the scoreboard, but I feel like we brought the fight and energy," said redshirt senior Devan Hendricks, the longest tenured Knight on the team. "The amount of growth I've seen from this team in the past six years is astronomical, and I'm extremely blessed to get to be a part of the growth within this team. I'm looking forward to what's next for us!"
 
Hendricks turned in one of the best performances on the mat for the Knights, battling against Iowa's Gabe Arnold until the last second before succumbing to a 5-3 decision.
 
Outside of him, the rest of the Bellarmine competitors competed with their "can't wait" team motto in mind, constantly pressuring their foes.
 
"Our guys got to challenge themselves with Iowa being the No. 2 ranked team who brought a veteran team with a lot of talent. Getting to test ourselves against an opponent like that was a lot of fun." Shuck said.
 
Bellarmine will have a quick turnaround for its next dual as the Knights will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, hosting Kent State at 1 p.m. ET at Knights Hall.
 
"I'm really excited for our next dual on Sunday against Kent State. We have a quick turnaround, but we get to see how we want to make adjustments and, long term, see what we need to keep doing to turn those type of matches around." Shuck said of the team's next dual.
 
Bellarmine vs. No. 2 University of Iowa
125: Kale Peterson (Iowa) def. Jack Parker (BU) by TF, 26-6
133: Drake Ayala (Iowa) def. Trayce Eckman (BU) by MD, 14-6
141: Ryder Block (Iowa) def. David Mayora (BU) by TF, 19-4
149: Kyle Parco (Iowa) def. Zac Cowan (BU) by TF, 21-4
157: Jacori Teemer (Iowa) def. Gray Ortis (BU) by Fall, 0:24
165: Mike Caliendo (Iowa) def. Cole Nance (BU) by TF, 21-6
174: Nelson Brands (Iowa) def. Grant O'Dell by TF, 20-5
184: Gabe Arnold (Iowa) def. Devan Hendricks by DEC, 5-3
197: Stephan Buchannan (Iowa) def. Andrew Liber (BU) by TF, 16-1
285: Ben Kueter (Iowa) def. Daulton Mayer (BU) by Fall, 0:32
 
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