MARIETTA, Ga. — For the fourth time in program history, CU men's wrestling claimed the Mid-South Conference tournament title. The Tigers earned a share of the title by tying Cumberland University with 142.5 team points.
Today's championship – which also served as the NAIA East Region Championship – is the first MSC postseason tournament since the 2011-12 season. The MSC title for the Phoenix is the first in program history. Â
The Tigers produced a tournament-best three champions in the 10 weight classes. CU had seven grapplers qualify for the NAIA National Championship by finishing in the Top 3 of their respective weight classes and also brought home three individual MSC and Regional titles.
The tournament will also produce five wildcards -- as voted on by the coaches – for the NAIA National Championship. The national championship is scheduled for March 4-5 in Topeka, Kansas.
Defending national champion and No. 2 Davion Caston kept his title defense hopes alive at 133 pounds with an impressive showing at the event. He won via major decision through the first two rounds, and downed Sammy Rosario of Cumberland University, 3-2 in a tough title contest.
Two other Tigers claimed individual titles at the event – Jaedin Sklapsky (149) and Sean Black (165). Sklapsky and teammate Andrew Hoskins met in the championship match but Sklapsky won via forfeit and Hoskins finished runner-up. At 165, No. 6 Black won with a 3-1 sudden victory over Orlando Nawade (Cumberland).
Caston, Sklapsky and Black were all named first-team all-conference along with the seven other champions.
Campbellsville's Nate Knauf finished runner-up at 197 pounds, as Dalton Bailey won a 1-1 decision by criteria. Hoskins and Knauf both earned second-team all-conference honors.
No. 5 Kyle Terry and No. 10 Chuck Sharon also picked up automatic bids with third place finishes. Terry knocked off Andy Dobben with a 2-1 decision in the consolation finals. Sharon did the same at 174 pounds, but won via a forfeit over teammate Justin Brown.
Miguel Santis and Christian Clary both finished in fifth place and are hopeful for at-large selections to the big dance.
Following Campbellsville and Cumberland in the team standings was MSC East regular season champion Lindsey Wilson College with 118.5 points. In addition, MSC West division champion and favorite Life University finished fourth at 106.5 points.
St. Catharine was fifth with 95.5 points, University of the Cumberlands placed sixth with 75.5 points, Southeastern finished seventh with 54 points, Brewton Parker placed eighth with 44.5 points, West Virginia Tech placed ninth with 22.5 points, St. Andrews was 10th with 8.5 points and Truett-McConnell was 11th with eight points.
The Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Year, the MSC Freshman Wrestler of the Year, MSC Coach of the Year and MSC Champions of Character recipient will be handed out on Sunday at the conference's wrestling banquet.
