Banda, Camp Lead the Way for Eagles at AAC Championships; Six National Qualifiers
Marietta, GA - Reinhardt Wrestling competed at the AAC Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday this week. The tournament was hosted by Life University. The Eagles had success across the board, but the most impressive run was the 125 weight class. Angel Banda and freshman Lee Camp battled their way to the finals. The two did not wrestle one another - Banda took the championship, with Lee taking second. Both are qualifiers for NAIA Nationals and will lead the Eagles once again on March 6-8, 2025, at Park City Arena in Park City, Kansas.
The Eagles had five All-AAC members this year (top 3 finishers of each weight class). Along with Banda (125 1st place) and Camp (125 2nd Place), Aushaud Evans (157), Matt Jenkins (165), and John Lovett (197) made All-AAC finishing in third position.
The team finished in third place just behind Southeastern in second place and Life in first place. Life and Southeastern are both top 5 teams in the country. The AAC will make a lot of noise at the NAIA National Championships in a couple of weeks.
Other notable performances by the Eagles were freshman Garrett Pace placing 4th at 141, Devin Griffen placing 5th at 149, Nate Napoliatano at 165, Jonathan Paramore at 184, and Caleb Pruitt at 285.
Lee Camp was named AAC Freshman of the Year and Assistant Coach Hayden Lee was named AAC Assistant Coach of the Year!
The six qualifiers currently are Angel Band and Lee Camp (125), Devin Griffen (149), Matt Jenkins (165), Nate Napolitano (165), and John Lovett (197). There is a shot for others to receive at-large bids from the NAIA and those should be named early this week.