BUIES CREEK, NC – In its return to the mat after 20 days off from competition, the Bellarmine University wrestling team dropped its Southern Conference opener 29-10 on the road at Campbell on Friday night in Gore Arena/Pope Convocation Center.
 
"I am proud of the guy's fight. We had some solid performances, and I believe we are closer than the final score shows," said head coach Ned Shuck. "We definitely had some bright spots we will keep building on and we're looking forward to our men picking up their training and working to have a stronger performance in our next home dual against App State."
 
The Knights looked solid across the board despite falling in the first two weight classes. Redshirt freshman AJ Rallo (141) finally got Bellarmine on the board with a 6-4 decision over No. 21 ranked Shannon Hanna, getting BU within striking distance down 8-5.
 
Senior Cole Nance (165) nearly had a second win over a ranked opponent for the Knights, leading No. 21 Dom Baker heading into the third period, but a reversal out of the starting position put Baker on top as he rode Nance to a bonus point a 3-1 decision.
 
At 174, Bellarmine got back on the board thanks to Grant O'Dell. After a scoreless first, O'Dell found himself in a heated 1-1 tie after three periods. The redshirt sophomore didn't wait around in overtime, striking for an early takedown to set up a 4-1 sudden victory win.
 
In the next bout, redshirt senior Devan Hendricks bided his time, down 1-0 after two periods. Hendricks kicked into another gear in the third, exploding for 12 points to secure a 12-2 major decision.
 
Bellarmine was ultimately upended in the final two weight classes as the Knights suffered a 29-10 loss.
 
Up next, Bellarmine will return home to host its first SoCon dual of the season, welcoming Appalachian State to Knights Hall on Friday, January 31.
 
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Bellarmine (10) vs. Cambell (29)
125: #21 Anthony Molton (CU) def. Damion Ryan (BU) by TF, 23-7
133: Logan Heil (CU) def. Trayce Eckman (BU) by DEC, 6-4
141: AJ Rallo (BU) def. #21 Shannon Hanna (CU) by DEC, 9-5
149: Wynton Denkins (CU) def. Zac Cowan (BU) by DEC, 4-2
157: Chris Earnest (CU) def. Jeb Prechtel (BU) by Fall, 3:20
165: #29 Dom Baker (CU) def. Cole Nance (BU) by DEC, 3-1
174: Grant O'Dell (BU) def. Riley Augustine (CU) by SV-1, 4-1
184: Devan Hendricks (BU) def. Mike Slade (CU) by MD, 12-2
197: #25 Levi Hopkins (CU) def. Andrew Liber (BU) by Dec, 4-1
285: Landon Sargent (CU) def. Will Muckler (BU) by Fall, 1:42