BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Campbell wrestling team hosts a pair of SoCon opponents this weekend with visits from Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb.
 
The Fighting Camels (7-3, 1-0) are coming off a 31-9 victory over Davidson with five bonus-point victories. App State (4-2) is also 1-0 in SoCon play, while the Running Bulldogs are 4-5 overall and 0-1 in conference after a loss to Bellarmine.
 
MATCH INFORMATION vs APP STATE
When: Friday, Feb. 2 | 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pope Convocation Center/Gore Arena | Buies Creek, N.C.
Watch: UFC Fight Pass
Live Results: HERE
Tickets: Buy Here
 
MATCH INFORMATION vs GARDNER-WEBB
When: Sunday, Feb. 4 | 2:00 p.m.
Where: Pope Convocation Center/Gore Arena | Buies Creek, N.C.
Watch: Purchase Stream Link here
Live Results: HERE
Tickets: Buy Here
 
On Friday, the Camels host the Mountaineers in the Camels' fourth appearance on CFFC Match Day on UFC Fight Pass. The Camels are 3-2 in dual matches broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, with wins over Army, Wyoming, and North Dakota State.
 
Campbell is looking to avenge a 22-14 loss last season. App State took six of the 10 individual matches. Between the two teams, 10 wrestlers are ranked in the NCAA Coaches' Rankings (released 1/22).
 
Against Gardner-Webb last season, the Camels came away with a 25-12 victory on the back of three bonus-point wins.
 
Below are the probable lineups:
 
Campbell
125: #25 Anthony Molton (13-4) -or- Zander Phaturos (8-5)
133: #20 Domenic Zaccone (16-6)
141: Chris Rivera (6-11) -or- Wynton Denkins (11-4)
149: Justin Rivera (7-10) -or- Hagen Heistand (13-6)
157: Chris Earnest (10-7)
165: #28 Dom Baker (11-5)
174: #19 Austin Murphy (14-6) -or- Riley Augustine (4-4)
184: Caleb Hopkins (11-7)
197: #16 Levi Hopkins (17-6)
HWT: #8 Taye Ghadiali (23-3)
 
Appalachian State
125: Chad Bellis
133: #23 Ethan Oakley
141: Riley Edwards -or- Ike Byers
149: #20 Cody Bond
157: #17 Tommy Askey
165: #27 Will Miller
174: Luke Uliano
184: Tomas Brooker
197: Carson Floyd
HWT: Jacob Sartorio
 
Gardner Webb
125: Drew West -or- Aedyn Concepcion -or- Matthew Rowland -or- T.K. Davis
133: Tyson Lane
141: Todd Carter -or- Dominic DiTullio
149: #31 Zach Price
157: Tyler Brignola
165: Andrew Wilson
174: Samuel Mora
184: #27 Jha'Quan Anderson
197: Josh McCutchen
HWT: Peyton McComas
Individual rankings according to NCAA Coaches' Poll (1/22/24)
 
QUOTABLE
174 Austin Murphy
On his return to action:
"I had a couple weeks off, but it wasn't like I couldn't go. We just decided it was a smart decision, and the team was able to dominate without me. It was just a good time to give me a break, hone in on some of my moves and get ready for the final stretch here. I have eight weeks left in my time as a Camel. This App dual means a lot to us, so we're looking to get after it."
 
On the rivalry with App State and why it means so much to get a win over them:
"When I got to here, I wasn't too familiar with App State or any of the schools in the [SoCon]. My first year, I was able to start against App State, and I fell short in my match. The environment was great. It was at their place; they had a lot of fans…they were crowding the mat. Luckily my teammates were able to pick me up and we won that dual. We hadn't lost a dual against App in my first 3-4 years, but we dropped one the last time I wrestled them. This is definitely a big dual for me personally and for us as a team because I don't want to go out on a team that lost to App."
 
184 Caleb Hopkins
On why the rivalry with App State is so strong:
"It's always been between us and App State for both the regular season and postseason conference championships. It's our last big test before the conference tournament and NCAA tournament. One, it's a way to kind of gauge where you're at, and also it gives you a feel for who very well could be the best or second-best guy in the conference. So, getting that win over that guy is a good stepping stone to getting to where we want to be, which is vying for All-America and national championships."
 
On the practice quality leading up to the dual:
"We've had a really good mix of rest days, really hard days, and recovery days. With that combination, I think that has us primed for this weekend and going forward for the rest of the season."
 
Follow the Camels on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for up-to-date information and content throughout the year.