BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The 2024-25 Campbell wrestling season kicks off tomorrow night in the first NCAA wrestling event of the season, as the Camels face off against #25 Wyoming in the Dual at the Daddy, held at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The dual begins at 8:00 p.m. and will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass. Using this link, users can purchase a special wrestling only deal on UFC Fight Pass at a rate of just $2.99 per month. Campbell's dual against Nebraska on Nov. 15 will also be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Campbell and Wyoming received a waiver from the NCAA to hold their dual one day before the official start of the 2024-25 wrestling season. The two teams both received votes in the recently released NWCA Coaches Poll. Campbell is sitting just outside the top 25 with 16 points, and the Cowboys have 11 points.
The Camels and Cowboys are facing off for the second straight year, after the Camels defeated the Cowboys, 23-12, in the Battle at the Barn last November.
The Camels aim to build off their success from last season, when five wrestlers advanced to the NCAA Championships and Taye Ghadiali became the second NCAA All-American in team history.
Ghadiali returns, in addition to Levi Hopkins, to anchor the back end of the lineup. Anthony Molton and Domenic Zaccone return at 125 and 133 pounds and will look be a strong starting duo for the Camels.
After taking a redshirt season last year to train for Olympic Trials and U23 Championships around the world, Shannon Hanna returns to the Campbell lineup at 141 pounds. He has made two NCAA Championships in his career.
Probable Lineups
Individual rankings according to Intermat.
(RV) Campbell vs. (RV) Wyoming
125: #23 Anthony Molton vs. #2 Jore Volk
133: #18 Domenic Zaccone vs. Stockton O'Brien
141: #29 Shannon Hanna vs. Cole Brooks
149: Eugene Harney vs. #15 Gabe Willochell
157: Seth Larson vs. #25 Jared Hill
165: Kendrick Hodge vs. Cooper Voorhees
174: #25 Dom Baker vs. Riley Davis
184: Cole Rees OR Conor Maslanek vs. Eddie Neitenbach
197: Mike Slade vs. #16 Joey Novak
HWT: #7 Taye Ghadiali vs. Kevin Zimmer
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Scotti Sentes
On his excitement for the start of the NCAA Wrestling season:
"I'm very excited. Wyoming's a tough team, they have a couple great transfers, everybody returns. I think most polls have them top 25, so it's a great opportunity to go in there in a big-time matchup at a big-time venue against a top-ranked team. I think there's a lot of individual opportunities, and obviously an opportunity to showcase the Campbell wrestling brand. Those are the reasons you wrestle, to put on a show, and this is a great opportunity to put on a show."
On how his lineup shakes out for the first dual of the season:
"They're battle-tested. We've had some of these big-time matchups before and a lot of them are used to it. It's nothing new, and we have a mix of freshmen in there too who won their wrestle-off. I think that mix of these young guys being really excited for the first time to put on the singlet along with those veterans that have been out there will be a good mix. I'm excited to see these guys get after it."
On what he's hoping to see from the freshman:
"I'm looking to see them let loose and get after it. I think Orange & Black prepared them. We did something different with the event this year and them wrestling outside the football stadium in front of the big Homecoming crowd. From what I could tell, watching online from across the world, it looked like it was a great showing. So, these guys, who won their wrestle-offs, were able to perform in a difficult environment. I think that prepared them, the fact they showed up and found ways to win at that event, I'm confident they'll be able to do well out in Wyoming
141 | Shannon Hanna
On the differences between freestyle and folkstyle wrestling:
"The grind. I've been wrestling freestyle full time for about a year now, and it's not as grinding. In folkstyle, you have to control your opponent the whole time."
On what he's looking forward to while wrestling for Campbell:
"Being part of the team. Even though, when I'm representing the Bahamas, I'm still representing Campbell. But being able to put on the same singlet as my brothers, go out there, cheer each other on and compete, it's a different feeling."
On competing against Wyoming after missing last year's dual:
"I wanted to be there, watching it on TV last year. It was a cool opportunity for the guys in the barn in Wyoming with UFC Fight Pass. I like to be in front of the camera, so when there's a big stage and opportunity like that I always want to be out there. To be able to do that this year means a lot."
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