Wrestling 2/1/2025 6:02:00 PM

Phoenix Wrestlers Earn Multiple Podium Finishes at Cumberland Open

LEBANON, Tenn. – Phoenix Wrestlers Earn Multiple Podium Finishes at Cumberland Open

Cumberland Wrestling had a strong performance at the Cumberland Open, highlighted by Truth Vesey's first-place finish at 125 lbs. Vesey dominated his way to the championship, winning three straight matches by technical fall before facing teammate Bentley Ellison in the final. Vesey secured the title with a 7-3 decision over Ellison, finishing the tournament with a perfect record.

Bentley Ellison put together an impressive tournament run at 125 lbs, finishing as the runner-up. He opened with a first-period pin before securing a dominant tech fall in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Ellison battled to a 7-5 decision over Gabriel Tellez of St. Thomas University to set up an all-Cumberland final against Vesey, where he fell in a hard-fought 7-3 decision.

Ellis Haney placed third at 125 lbs, rebounding from a first-round loss to put together an outstanding run through the consolation bracket. After dropping a sudden-victory decision in the opening round, Haney responded with three straight dominant wins, including two pins and a tech fall. He avenged his earlier loss to Tellez in the consolation semifinals, pinning him in just 1:49, before securing third place with a 20-5 tech fall victory over Hinds Duncan of Huntingdon.

At 141 lbs, Hunter Kegley delivered a strong performance, placing second. He opened his tournament with a 24-second fall, followed by another pin in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Kegley controlled his match, earning a 12-5 decision to advance to the championship bout. In the finals, he faced a tough opponent in Adrian Ayala of Lindsey Wilson, ultimately falling by tech fall, 21-5, to finish as the runner-up.

Billy Tate also reached the championship match at 165 lbs, finishing as the runner-up. He opened the tournament with back-to-back narrow decision victories before controlling his semifinal match for a 5-2 decision win. In the championship bout, Tate was unable to overcome King University's Joe Bertrand, falling by major decision, 13-1.

Tanner Willett placed third at 157 lbs, showing resilience in the consolation bracket after a semifinal loss. After receiving a first-round bye, Willett won a close 9-8 decision in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he fell by tech fall but rebounded with a pin in 5:00 during the consolation semis. He then secured third place after a medical forfeit victory over teammate Jacob Barlow.

Jacob Barlow finished fourth at 157 lbs, advancing to the semifinals before suffering a loss by fall. He bounced back with a medical forfeit victory in the consolation semifinals but finished fourth after falling to Willett in the placement match.

At 133 lbs, Bobby Estrada picked up multiple wins before falling in the consolation semifinals. He opened the tournament with a 4-1 decision before dropping his quarterfinal match by fall. He responded with back-to-back victories, including a tech fall win (21-6), before being eliminated in the consolation semis by a 5-1 decision.

Several other Phoenix wrestlers saw action but were unable to place. Aslan Nadeau (133 lbs), Anitie Akpan (149 lbs), Thomas Magness (157 lbs), Tyler Jones (157 lbs), Saller Logan (165 lbs), and Evan Dixon (285 lbs) all competed but did not advance deep into their brackets. Kaleb Ruhl (125 lbs) suffered two injury defaults, preventing him from continuing in the tournament.

Wrestler	Weight	Record	Placement
Ellis Haney	125	5-1	3rd
Truth Vesey	125	4-0	1st
Bentley Ellison	125	3-1	2nd
Kaleb Ruhl	125	0-2	N/A
Bobby Estrada	133	3-2	N/A
Aslan Nadeau	133	0-2	N/A
Hunter Kegley	141	3-1	2nd
Anitie Akpan	149	0-2	N/A
Thomas Magness	157	0-2	N/A
Tanner Willett	157	3-1	3rd
Jacob Barlow	157	2-2	4th
Tyler Jones	157	0-2	N/A
Joe Parisi	157	3-2	N/A
Billy Tate	165	3-1	2nd
Saller Logan	165	1-2	N/A
Evan Dixon	285	0-2	N/A