CHATTANOOGA, Tn. – Senior Daulton Mayer and redshirt freshman AJ Rallo earned podium finishes for the Bellarmine University wrestling team as the Knights competed in their final tournament of the season at the Southern Scuffle, hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, this weekend.
 
Mayer (285) placed eighth while Rallo (141) finished seventh to lead a group of 21 Knights competing in the event with a field full of tough competition.
 
"I'm grateful for my guys and their fight in another tough tournament!  We had some really gritty performances and some near misses," head coach Ned Shuck said of his team. "How we move forward will be key to maximizing our growth. They've consistently stepped up to challenges with great attitudes and I don't expect that to change when we get back home."
 
For Mayer, the performance is his third straight podium finish in tournament play. The senior, a transfer from Thomas More University, has adapted quickly to Bellarmine's system and been a key contributor for Shuck early this season. Mayer started his podium run with a pin the first round and a 5-4 decision in the second round before falling in a 10-6 decision in his third bout. The heavyweight bounced back though, earning another pin in the consolation bracket before falling twice more in his next to matches to earn the 8^th place finish and a 3-3 record.
 
Rallo, the only other Knight to join Mayer on the podium, did so in his first appearance of the season. Last season as a true freshman, Rallo impressed with six wins, two in SoCon action and three by fall. In his first action of the 2024-25 season, he stumbled in his first bout, falling 11-0 but responded quickly, winning his next five matches in a row. Rallo lost a 4-1 decision before ending his weekend on a high note with a medical forfeit victory to claim 7^th place with a 6-2 record. Rallo won twice against SoCon opponents while his two losses came against the No. 22 ranked wrestler in the country in the 141-weight class.
 
As a team, Bellarmine finished 15^th out of 23 teams with 46 points, finishing ahead of four SoCon teams in Gardner-Webb (17^th, 35.5), Davidson (19^th, 30.5), Presbyterian (22^nd, 8.5) and Appalachian State (23^rd, 8).
 
Up next, the Knights will open their Southern Conference schedule with a trip to Buies Creek, NC for a dual with Campbell University.
 
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