Campbell 24, Gardner-Webb 12

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell earned its third Southern Conference victory on Senior Night Wednesday, defeating Gardner-Webb 24-12. The Fighting Camels didn’t trail the Runnin’ Bulldogs the entire match, and moved to 4-6 overall and 3-1 in the Southern Conference.

The Fighting Camels are now tied with Appalachian State for second place in the Southern Conference. The loss ended Gardner-Webb’s dual match winning streak at two straight, as the Runnin’ Bulldog grapplers fell to 4-7 overall and 2-3 in the SoCon.

Before the match, Campbell recognized the careers of its four seniors, Tanner Bidelspach, Matt Cox, John Merickel and Brad Merriman.

Redshirt junior Brent Jorge gave the match an exciting start at 149 pounds with a pin over Gardner-Webb’s Ryan Medved in 1:17. The pin was his fourth of the season, as he stayed undefeated in the SoCon, standing 4-0 at 149 pounds.

Nick Rex, another redshirt junior, fell at the 157-pound spot to Alex Medved 4-2. Sophomore Paul Duggan and freshman Cody Ryba posted the only back-to-back wins of the night for the Camels at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively.

Duggan tallied the second pin of the night over Justin Guthrie in 2:53 at 165. It was his 16th victory of the year and he is now 2-1 at 165 in the conference. Ryba followed up with a 7-1 decision over Hunter Gamble. It was the first SoCon win for Ryba, who is 1-1 in the conference at 174.

At 184 pounds, Bulldog Gray Jones defeated redshirt sophomore James Cook in the second sudden victory round, 3-1. Merickel blanked Blake Salyer in a 6-0 decision at 197 pounds.

The heavyweight and 125-pound classes saw nationally ranked wrestlers in action. Gardner-Webb’s No. 33 Travis Porter defeated sophomore Joe Nolan 6-3 at 285 pounds, while Campbell’s No. 25 Eric Montoya, a 125-pound freshman, stayed perfect in SoCon action after posting an 8-2 decision over Cortez Starkes. He is 4-0 in the conference and holds the team’s most wins as he is 27-10 overall.

In the 133-pound spot, Bulldog Robbie Golde earned an 8-4 decision over Bidelspach. In the final match of the night, Campbell freshman Michael Dahlstrom defeated Davante Andujar 7-3.

The Camels will have a three-day break before their match with conference newcomer SIUE on Saturday. Action will take place at Hibriten High School in Lenoir, N.C. at 5 p.m.

Gardner-Webb will return home to host the Mocs of Chattanooga on Friday at 7 p.m. in Paul Porter Arena.

Campbell 24, Gardner-Webb 12
149: Brent Jorge (CU) pin Ryan Medved; 1:17
157: Alex Medved (GWU) dec. Nick Rex; 4-2
165: Paul Duggan (CU) pin Justin Guthrie; 2:53
174: Cody Ryba (CU) dec. Hunter Gamble; 7-1
184: Gray Jones (GWU) SV-2 James Cook; 3-1
197: John Merickel (CU) dec. Blake Salyer; 6-0
285: #33 Travis Porter (GWU) dec. Joe Nolan; 6-3
125: #28 Eric Montoya (CU) dec. Cortez Starkes; 8-2
133: Robbie Golde (GWU) dec. Tanner Bidelspach; 8-4
141: Michael Dahlstrom (CU) dec. Davante Andujar; 7-3