BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell wrestling begins their run at the 2024 NCAA Championships on Thursday, with six Camels qualifying for the event.
The tournament takes place March 21-23 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The action begins at noon (ET), and the entire event can be viewed on the ESPN family of networks.
Campbell has now sent five or more wrestlers to the NCAA Championships for six consecutive seasons.
Domenic Zaccone (133) is competing in his third straight NCAA tournament. He is seeded No. 22 and will face the 11-seed Zeth Romney from Cal Poly. Zaccone placed second at the SoCon Championships this year. He's ranked eighth in the country for tech falls, recording nine this season.
At 165 pounds, Dom Baker is the No. 26 seed and will go up against Oklahoma State's Izzak Olejnik (No. 7 seed). Baker earned his way to the NCAA Championships by winning the true-place match at the SoCon tournament, a 1-0 decision over Chattanooga's Kamdyn Munro. This will be Baker's first trip to the national tournament.
Austin Murphy heads to the NCAAs for the second time, doing so in the 2020-21 season. He is the No. 11 seed at 174 pounds, facing off against No. 22 Peyton Mocco (Missouri) in the first round. Murphy won the SoCon Championships and finished his year with a 22-6 record.
Qualifying for the NCAAs for a fourth time, Caleb Hopkins represents Campbell at 184 pounds. An at-large selection, Hopkins is seeded 28th and will go up against Nebraska's Lenny Pinto (5 seed). The two wrestled earlier this year, with Pinto winning a close decision.
Levi Hopkins (197 pounds) is heading to nationals for the second time in his career. The No. 13 seed, Hopkins will face No. 20 Evan Bockman from Utah Valley. Hopkins was undefeated in conference matches, and he recorded three consecutive falls to win the SoCon Championship. Hopkins ranks third in the country in pins (13) and seventh in total wins (27).
Finishing the year ranked No. 9 in the NCAA Coaches Rankings, heavyweight Taye Ghadiali will be the No. 7 seed at the NCAA Championships. His first-round matchup will be No. 26 seed Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech). Ghadiali won 31 matches this season, the most in the country. He also ranks fifth in pins (12) and sixth in tech falls (10). This is Ghadiali's fourth trip to the national tournament.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 21: First Round – 12:00 PM, ESPNU/ESPN+
Thursday, March 21: Second Round & Consolations – 7:00 PM, ESPN/ESPN+
Friday, March 22: Quarterfinals & Consolations – 12:00 PM, ESPNU/ESPN+
Friday, March 22: Semifinals & Consolations – 8:00 PM, ESPN/ESPN+
Saturday, March 23: Medal Round – 11:00 AM, ESPNU/ESPN+
Saturday, March 23: Championship Finals – 7:00 PM, ESPN/ESPN+
Follow the Camels on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for up-to-date information and content throughout the year.Â
