BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Before officially kicking off the 2021-22 season, Campbell's annual Orange & Black wrestle-offs return on Saturday.
The team will dual outdoors, in front of the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center on Saturday morning, October 23 at 11:30 a.m. during Campbell's homecoming festivities.
Winners of Saturday's finals, cut down after preliminary rounds earlier in the week, will determine the Camels' starting lineup at each weight class to begin the 2021-22 season.
Highlighting the matchups will be the 125 pound bout, featuring two-time NCAA qualifier
Korbin Meink taking on Fresno State transfer
Anthony Molton, who topped last season's NCAA qualifier and SoCon runner-up
Zurich Storm 8-3 in the preliminary round.
Taking the mat will be a combined six NCAA Championships appearances, as well as eight SoCon finals showings, including 2021-22 Preseason All-SoCon picks and returning NCAA qualifiers
Austin Murphy at 174 pounds,
Caleb Hopkins at 184 and
Chris Kober at 197.
Full prelim results, as well as Saturday's matchups are below.
Campbell's 2021-22 season kickoff dinner also returns this year, hosted inside the Pope Convocation Center at 6:30 p.m.
Campbell claimed its third straight SoCon regular season and tournament championships in 2021, going 8-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference duals. The Camels extended their SoCon dual win streak to 16 in the process, going unbeaten through its league slate for the second straight season.
Ranked as high as No. 22 in the NCWA team poll and No. 19 by InterMat, a school record seven Camels qualified for the 2021 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo., while first year head coach
Scotti Sentes was named national Rookie Head Coach of the Year (Amateur Wrestling News), as well as SoCon Coach of the Year.
Campbell will officially open the 2021-22 season at home, hosting Montreat on November 3.
Preliminary match results:
125
Anthony Molton over
Zachary Thompson (Fall 0:34)
Joziah Fry over
Sebastian Melguizo (9-2)
Korbin Meink over
Joziah Fry (4-3)
Anthony Molton over
Zurich Storm (8-3)
Joziah Fry over
Zachary Thompson (16-5)
Zurich Storm over
Sebastian Melguizo (7-3)
Zurich Storm over
Joziah Fry (2-1)
141
Shannon Hanna over
Domenic DeFalco (21-9)
Chris Rivera over
Callum Sitek (3-2)
Callum Sitek over
Domenic DeFalco (Fall 4:06)
157
Matthew Dallara over
Jakob Chisolm (10-4)
Bilal Bailey over
Jared Hopkins (10-4)
Jakob Chisolm over
Jared Hopkins (10-4)
165
Kevin Muschel over
Josh Epperly (6-3)
Troy Nation over
Patrick Adams (Fall :40)
Josh Epperly over
Patrick Adams (9-4)
Riley Augustine over
Kevin Muschel ( 4-0)
184
Cole Rees over
Shane Quick (8-3)
197
Chris Kober over
Conor Maslanek (9-2)
Brandon Hoselton over
Conner Miller (8-0)
Levi Hopkins over
Brandon Hoselton (3-1)
Conor Maslanak over
Conner Miller (9-2)
HWT
Chad Nix over
Calvin Hayford (7-0)
Luke Davis over
Eli Daugherty (7-2)
Eli Daugherty over
Calvin Hayford (7-6)
Finals: Team Orange vs. Team Black
125:
Anthony Molton vs.
Korbin Meink
133:
Domenic Zaccone vs.
Gabriel Hixenbaugh
141:
Chris Rivera vs.
Shannon Hanna
149:
Justin Rivera vs.
Brennan Watkins
157:
Bilal Bailey vs.
Matthew Dallara
165:
Riley Augustine vs.
Troy Nation
174:
Cameron Andrews vs.
Austin Murphy
184:
Cole Rees vs.
Caleb Hopkins
197:
Chris Kober vs.
Levi Hopkins
HWT:
Chad Nix vs.
Luke Davis