BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell jumped out to an early lead in the lower weights and captured a pair of individual upsets in the final three bouts to take a 24-12 win over Gardner-Webb Friday night.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (4-3, 1-1 SoCon) saw their five-match win streak in league dual action snapped in the process.
Nationally ranked Nathan Kraisser quickly pinned freshman Artur Hofer in the opening match of the night, doing so in 1:15 to stake the Camels (5-6, 1-1 SoCon) to an early 6-0 lead. Jonathan Ryan outlasted Garrett Hancock, 4-3, at 133 pounds to push the lead to 9-0 and Joshua Heil captured an 11-6 decision over Ryan Hull at 141 pounds for a commanding 12-0 margin.
Chris Vassar stopped the run with a 10-4 decision at 149 pounds, taking an 8-1 lead after the first period on the strength of two takedowns and a four-point near fall.
The Camels took momentum back at 157 pounds, as Austin Kraisser nipped veteran Ryan Mosley by a 5-4 score to give Campbell a 15-3 lead with only five matches remaining to be wrestled.
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Marinelli won, 8-2, over John Weiss at 165 pounds, rallying with a four-point near fall and a takedown in the third period to pull away.
Austin Trott improved to 13-1 on the season – and 7-0 in duals – with a quick pin of Alex Herringshaw at 174 pounds. The Kingsland, Ga., senior put Herringshaw away in 2:28 after taking an early lead on a takedown and stall warning.
Hunter Gamble, ranked 18th nationally entering Friday's action, was topped by Ville Heino at 184 pounds – with Heino scoring on a reversal and then a takedown to pull out a low-scoring, 4-2, decision. That decision put Gardner-Webb in an 18-12 hole and the Camels clinched the match when Willie Bivens held off Payton Mills for a 7-5 win at 197 pounds.
Jere Heino took a 7-2 decision over Boyce Cornwell in the final match of the night to provide the final team margin.
Campbell will take the mat again, Jan. 28, at noon as it travels to Chattanooga for its third SoCon dual of the year. The match was originally set for Jan. 8, but inclement weather forced a postponement.
Gardner-Webb will continue a busy weekend on Saturday, traveling south to face The Citadel at 4 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.
Campbell 24, Gardner-Webb 12
125: Nathan Kraisser (CAM) pinned Artur Hofer (GWU); (1:15) – 0-6
133: Jonathan Ryan (CAM) dec. Garrett Hancock (GWU); 4-3 – 0-9
141: Joshua Heil (CAM) dec. Ryan Hull (GWU); 11-6 – 0-12
149: Chris Vassar (GWU) dec. Benjamin Barton (CAM); 10-4 – 3-12
157: Austin Kraisser (CAM) dec. Ryan Mosley (GWU); 5-4 – 3-15
165: Tyler Marinelli (GWU) dec. John Weiss (CAM); 8-2 – 6-15
174: Austin Trott (GWU) pinned Alex Herringshaw (CAM); (2:28) – 12-15
184: Ville Heino (CAM) dec. Hunter Gamble (GWU); 4-2 – 12-18
197: Willie Bivens (CAM) dec. Payton Mills (GWU); 7-5 – 12-21
285: Jere Heino (CAM) dec. Boyce Cornwell (GWU); 7-2 – 12-24