Napolitano Takes Third at Life University Open

Marietta, GA - After a successful dual meet with Montreat and Southeastern on Friday evening, several Eagles took to the mat at the Life University Open on Saturday. Coach Bedard rested several of the wrestlers who wrestled on Friday, which gave them a chance for others to gain some time and experience at the tournament.

Nathan Napolitano, who is a transfer wrestler, performed the best out of the fifteen wrestlers who saw mat time on Saturday.  Napolitano wrestles at the 157 weight class, which is one of the better ones on the Eagles squad.  At 157, you have All-American Trevor Burdick, who is one of the best wrestlers to go through Coach Bedard's program, and Devin Griffen - who picked up a win against Southeastern on Friday's duals.

Napolitano would go on to finish in 3rd place overall in a very competitive field. Also, doing well at the Life University Open were Tyler Garrett (4-2 record), CJ Shadinger (4-2), Aushaud Evans (4-2) record, John Lovett (3-2 record), and Caleb Pruitt (2-2 record).  They did not place at the tournament, but having the winning record at a competitive tournament like this is a good accomplishment and something to build on going forward.

Next up for the Eagles is a dual meet at Lindsey Wilson University on Saturday, December 9th and then the Eagles will be back home for a much anticipated dual meet with both UNC Pembroke and Life University.  Reinhardt and Life University have become a big rivalry the past few years and both schools have excellent wrestling programs.  At the time of the dual, Reinhardt should be in the NAIA Top 10 after knocking off #3 Southeastern on Friday night and this will make the Reinhardt - Life dual one of the top duals of the season for the NAIA.