Bellarmine University Athletics

2024-25: competed just once in his first season as a Knight…went 1-2 at the Soldier Salute

BEFORE BELLARMINE
AT GEORGE MASON 2022-23: Overall record, 24-17…Earned an automatic bid to represent the Patriots at the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships…The first-time qualifier was seeded No. 26 in the NCAA Championship…MAC Conference Rookie of the Year…First Patriot to win the conference accolade in more than 20 years (Tony Howard in 2001 when Mason was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association)…Unseeded at the MAC Championships, Higley earned the NCAA bid after finishing runner-up at the conference tournament…He took down two ranked opponents en route to the 149-pound MAC Championship final…Central Michigan's NCAA Qualifier #26 edged Higley, 7-5, in the final to win the championship…The Sullivan County, Pa. native was one of five Mason wrestlers to win more than 20 matches, finishing with a 24-17 record, including a team-high 10 falls…He won the Jerry Mullin Coaches Appreciation Award.
 
2021-22: Won three of five matches at Southeast Open (Nov. 7)…Top medalist at the Journeymen Classic…Won four matches against Caleb Morris, Nicolas Botello, Alex Bendinelli, and Joel Myling (Nov. 14)…Won two of four matches at Keystone Classic (Nov. 21), against Ben Bancroft (Navy), 20-5 (4:34), Alex Bendinelli (Millersville)…Finished with a 9-4 overall record.
 
WHY BELLARMINE?: Chose Bellarmine to further his education
 
PERSONAL: Son to Darrick and Desire…brother to Kayla…in addition to wrestling, also played soccer and baseball at Sullivan County High…was a three-time state placer as well as a sectional, district and regional champion…named team MVP all four year…finished high school with a 138-16 record…favorite hobbies are fishing and hunting…favorite athlete is Zain Rutherford