Eagles Take Down Two NAIA Top 10 Opponents

December 17, 2021

David Finney

Waleska, GA - On a Thursday afternoon just before the Christmas break, Coach Bedard and the Eagles Wrestling team hosted Defending National Champion, Life University, which is currently ranked #2 in the NAIA, and University of the Cumberlands (KY) who is ranked #7 in the NAIA.

These were three solid, powerhouse programs meeting to see where each stands halfway through the season. The Brown Athletic Center was packed with fans from each school and everyone in attendance could feel the intensity with each grappler that took to the mat.

Reinhardt would start the afternoon facing the Patriots of Cumberlands. The Eagles would take six out of the ten matches total and win by a score of 27 to 15. Highlights from the individual matches were Ivan Arguello at 133 weight class and Cole Tenety at 174 weight class - each winning with a pin and accumulating 12 of the 27 total points for the Eagles.

After watching Life and Cumberlands compete in the middle match, the Eagles would head back to the mat for the final match of the afternoon versus #2 ranked Life University. It was a much-anticipated match between the two teams, the coaches, and the fans in attendance and from the start, the tension and rivalry could be felt. The two teams did not disappoint and it was a match full of fierce competition and each wrestler giving every ounce of energy they had.

Coach Bedard and his Eagles would come out victorious on this final match winning 23 to 12. There were so many highlights from this match because even the Eagles that came up a little short were still highly competitive. The Eagles took another six out of the ten total matches and Arguello was a stand-out again winning by pin at 133. Trent Leon (141) and Cole Tenety (174) each won by major decision dominating their Life opponent.

The Eagles will return to action after the Christmas/New Year's break on January 6th for the NAIA National Duals. Listed below are the winners from both matches for the Eagles.

RU vs. Cumberlands | Final Score 27 to 15

125 - Koby Milner, 5-2 win

133 - Ivan Arguello, pin

149 - Avry Mutschler, 4-2 win

165 - Matt Jenkins, 5-0 win

174 - Cole Tenety, pin

184 - Kyle Homet, forfeit

RU vs. Life | Final Score 23 to 12

133 - Ivan Arguello, pin

141 - Trent Leon, 19-6 major decision

157 - Cole Luallen, 6-2 win

174 - Cole Tenety, 14-6, major decision