GATLINBURG, Tn. (December 16, 2023) – The St. Thomas Bobcats wrestling team faced a tough challenge at the Rocky Top Duals, where they clashed with Cumberland (Tenn.) in a match that showcased both skill and determination. Here's how the action unfolded.
 
Vs. #15 Cumberland (Tn.)
 
125 lbs:
Stephen Moreno squared off against Chris Busutil of Cumberland (Tenn.) in a tightly contested match. The two wrestlers battled fiercely, each vying for control. In the end, it was Moreno who emerged victorious, securing a hard-fought decision with a score of 4-3. The win gave the Bobcats an early 3-0 lead in the team score.
 
133 lbs:
The momentum shifted in the 133-pound bout as Ivan Arguello from Cumberland faced off against Jaylan Claudio. Arguello managed to secure a fall at 4:06, earning six points for Cumberland and putting them ahead 6-3 in the overall team score.
 
141 lbs:
The 141-pound match featured Jared Dinh of Cumberland against Thomas Williams. Dinh secured a major decision with a score of 14-2. This victory extended Cumberland's lead, bringing the team score to 10-3.
 
149 lbs:
Victor Guzman of Cumberland clashed with Noah Horst from the Bobcats in the 149-pound bout. Guzman earned a major decision with a score of 12-3. The team score now stood at 14-3 in favor of Cumberland.
 
157 lbs:
The 157-pound match saw Jack Latimer of Cumberland facing Kade Clute. Latimer dominated the match, securing a technical fall with a score of 15-0 in just 2:08. Cumberland extended their lead to 19-3.
 
165 lbs:
Eli Clemmons of Cumberland squared off against Wetzel Hill in the 165-pound bout. Clemmons secured a technical fall with a score of 20-1 in 4:31. The team score now stood at 24-3 in favor of Cumberland.
 
174 lbs:
Cole Smith of Cumberland faced Jeivan Ross of the Bobcats in the 174-pound match. Smith secured a technical fall with a score of 18-3 in 5:10, increasing Cumberland's lead to 29-3.
 
184 lbs:
In the 184-pound bout, Rocco Horvath of Cumberland faced Buck Abidin. Horvath's grit paid off as he secured a decision with a score of 10-3, bringing the team score to 32-3 in favor of Cumberland.
 
197 lbs:
Kadin Stutzman of Cumberland faced Estaban Hoyos in the 197-pound match. Stutzman secured a fall at 2:27, earning six points and extending Cumberland's lead to 38-3.
 
285 lbs:
The final bout featured Jairo Caceres against Evan Huling of Cumberland in the 285-pound weight class. Caceres fought hard and secured a decision with a score of 5-0, providing a glimmer of hope for St. Thomas University. However, Cumberland claimed the overall victory with a team score of 38-6.
 
 
Vs. #9 Cumberlands (Ky.)
 
125 lbs:
DJ Perez went up against Austin Franco of Cumberlands. Despite Perez's efforts, Franco secured a technical fall with a commanding score of 17-0 in 5:13. Cumberlands took an early lead of 5-0 in the team score.
 
133 lbs:
Jaylan Claudio faced Chandlar Akins of Cumberlands in the 133-pound match. Akins displayed his skill and control, securing a technical fall with a score of 15-0 in 2:55. Cumberlands extended their lead to 10-0.
 
141 lbs:
Jerry Molina went up against Conner Burrus of Cumberlands in the 141-pound bout. Burrus earned a major decision with a score of 12-4. Cumberlands increased their lead to 14-0.
 
149 lbs:
Christian Espinoza faced a tough opponent in Jace Luchau of Cumberlands. Luchau secured a close decision with a score of 8-6, adding three more points to Cumberlands' lead. The team score now stood at 17-0.
 
157 lbs:
Kade Clute clashed with Seth Lambers of Cumberlands  in the 157-pound match. Lambers went on to secure a fall at 2:12 and earning six points for Cumberlands. The lead extended to 23-0.
 
165 lbs:
Wetzel Hill faced Turner Black of Cumberlands in the 165-pound bout. Despite Hill's efforts, Black secured a major decision with a score of 16-6, bringing Cumberlands' lead to 27-0.
 
174 lbs:
In the 174-pound match, Jeivan Ross from the Bobcats faced Charlie Friedenreich of Cumberlands. Ross fought hard and managed to secure a decision with a score of 19-13, putting St. Thomas on the scoreboard with three points.
 
184 lbs:
Buck Abidin of STU went up against Tobias Garrison of the Patriots in the 184-pound bout. Garrison secured a close decision with a score of 7-5, adding three more points to Cumberlands' lead. The team score now stood at 30-3.
 
197 lbs:
Estaban Hoyos faced Jovon Howe of Cumberlands in the 197-pound match. Howe secured a fall at 2:16, earning six points for Cumberlands and extending their lead to 36-3.
 
285 lbs:
Jairo Caceres went up against Wylie Dunn of Cumberlands (Ky.) in the 285-pound match. Dunn secured a fall at 1:02, earning six more points for Cumberlands and sealing their victory with a final team score of 42-3.
 
 
Vs. (RV) Midway
 
125 lbs:
Stephen Moreno from the Bobcats faced off against Andrew Vogeler of Midway in a highly competitive match. Moreno showcased his skills on the mat, securing a convincing major decision with a score of 15-5. This victory earned St. Thomas University four crucial points and set a positive tone for the team.
 
133 lbs:
In the 133-pound bout, Jaylan Claudio clashed with Tyrique Simms of Midway. Simms managed to secure a fall in the match, earning six points for Midway University and putting them in the lead with a score of 6-4.
 
141 lbs:
Thomas Williams faced Anthony Caruso of Midway in the 141-pound match. Williams exhibited control and skill, securing a decision with a score of 6-1. This win added three points to St. Thomas University's total, bringing the team score to 7-6 in their favor.
 
149 lbs:
Christian Espinoza went up against Kaleb Clark of Midway in the 149-pound bout. Espinoza demonstrated his grit on the mat, securing a decision with a score of 11-4. St. Thomas University extended their lead to 10-6.
 
157 lbs:
Kade Clute faced a tough opponent in Chris Begley of Midway in the 157-pound match. Begley secured a major decision with a score of 9-0. Midway University took the lead with a score of 10-10.
 
165 lbs:
Wetzel Hill battled Jabril Williams of Midway in the 165-pound bout. Hill delivered a stellar performance, securing a fall and earning six crucial points for St. Thomas University. The team score swung back in their favor, 16-10.
 
174 lbs:
Jeivan Ross faced Michael Colligan of Midway in the 174-pound match. Ross exhibited strength and skill, securing a fall and adding six more points to St. Thomas University's total. The team score now stood at 22-10.
 
184 lbs:
Buck Abidin of STU faced Sebastian Hutchinson of Midway in the 184-pound bout. Abidin's dominant performance resulted in a technical fall with a score of 21-5, earning five points for St. Thomas University. The team score extended to 27-10.
 
197 lbs:
Estaban Hoyos went up against David Emfinger of Midway in the 197-pound match. Emfinger secured a fall, earning six points for Midway University. The team score tightened to 27-16 in favor of St. Thomas University.
 
285 lbs:
In the heavyweight division, St. Thomas University opted not to compete, resulting in a forfeit and six points awarded to Byron Pierce of Midway. The final team score now stood at 27-22, with St. Thomas University holding onto a narrow lead.
 
Despite the back-and-forth battles, St. Thomas University emerged victorious by a slim margin of 27-22 against Midway University at the Rocky Top Duals. The team's resilience and individual performances played a crucial role in securing the hard-fought win.
 

-STU-