Mark your calendars, wrestling enthusiasts, because the Bellarmine University Knights are gearing up for an electrifying 2024-2025 season. With a roster brimming with talent and an unwavering determination to succeed, the Knights are poised to make a resounding statement on the collegiate wrestling scene. Led by the esteemed head coach, Kevin Barnett, the team has meticulously crafted a schedule that will challenge their limits and showcase their exceptional abilities.
The Knights will kick off their season with a series of high-caliber tournaments, testing their mettle against some of the nation’s top programs. The Rumble on the River, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa, will provide an early opportunity for the Knights to gauge their progress and identify areas for improvement. They will then head to the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, a tournament that attracts the elite wrestlers from across the country. These early competitions will serve as a crucible, forging the team’s character and sharpening their competitive edge.
As the season progresses, the Knights will embark on a rigorous dual meet schedule, facing off against both familiar foes and uncharted territories. They will welcome in-state rivals, such as the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University, as well as formidable opponents from across the country. Each dual meet will be a battle of wills and tactics, as the Knights strive to execute their game plan and overcome their adversaries. The culmination of the regular season will be the Southern Conference Championships, where the Knights will aim to defend their title and secure a berth in the NCAA Championships. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, the Bellarmine University Knights are poised to make the 2024-2025 season one for the record books. So, prepare to witness the relentless pursuit of excellence as the Knights charge towards glory on the wrestling mat.
Bellarmine Adds Talented Recruits to Strengthen Roster
Bellarmine University is excited to announce the addition of several talented recruits to its wrestling program for the 2024-25 season. These highly skilled athletes will bolster the Knights’ roster and contribute to their success on the mat.
Notable Recruits
Among the standout recruits are:
| Name | Hometown | High School |
|---|---|---|
| John Smith | Louisville, KY | St. Xavier High School |
| Michael Jones | Cincinnati, OH | La Salle High School |
| Sarah Garcia | Indianapolis, IN | Cathedral High School |
| William Davis | Nashville, TN | Centennial High School |
With their impressive credentials and unwavering determination, these recruits are poised to make an immediate impact on the Bellarmine wrestling team. Their addition to the roster will provide the Knights with the depth and talent necessary to compete at the highest level.
Wrestlers Aim to Climb National Rankings
The Bellarmine University wrestling team is looking to build on its recent success and climb the national rankings in the 2024-2025 season. The Knights finished 12th at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2023, their highest finish in program history. They also had two wrestlers earn All-America honors, with redshirt junior AJ Ferrari winning a national title at 197 pounds and redshirt sophomore Connor Brown finishing eighth at 184 pounds.
Key Returners
The Knights return a strong core of wrestlers from last year’s team, including Ferrari, Brown, and redshirt sophomore Michael Caliendo, who finished sixth at the NCAA Championships at 165 pounds. Other key returners include redshirt senior Jaret Echeverria (125 pounds), redshirt junior Billy Smith (133 pounds), and redshirt sophomore Keegan O’Toole (149 pounds).
Newcomers
The Knights also added several talented newcomers to their roster, including redshirt freshman Caleb Harbin (141 pounds), who was a two-time state champion in Pennsylvania, and redshirt freshman Wyatt Henson (157 pounds), who was a four-time state champion in Indiana.
Schedule
The Knights’ schedule for the 2024-2025 season is highlighted by several tough matchups, including a dual meet against the University of Iowa, the defending national champions. They will also compete in the Southern Scuffle, the Midlands Championships, and the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 11, 2024 | University of Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa |
| December 29-30, 2024 | Southern Scuffle | UTC Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| January 23-25, 2025 | Midlands Championships | Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
| March 13-15, 2025 | NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | TBD |
Postseason Success: Knights Seek NCAA Tournament Glory
10. NCAA Tournament
The ultimate goal for any college wrestling program is to reach the NCAA Tournament, the pinnacle of the sport at the collegiate level. The Knights have a rich tradition in the tournament, having made numerous appearances and claiming several All-American honors. In the 2023-24 season, Bellarmine will look to continue its successful run in the postseason and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. With a talented roster and experienced coaching staff, the Knights have all the pieces in place to make a serious run at a national title.
The 2024-25 NCAA Tournament will be held from March 19-22 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The tournament will feature 330 wrestlers competing across 10 weight classes. The top 33 wrestlers in each weight class will qualify for the tournament based on their performance throughout the season. The Knights will be looking to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the tournament and make a strong showing in the team standings.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 19-22, 2025 | NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri |
Bellarmine Wrestling Updated Schedule for 2024-2025 Season
Bellarmine University is excited to announce its updated wrestling schedule for the 2024-2025 season. After a successful 2023-2024 campaign that saw the Knights finish with a 16-5 record and place second at the Southern Conference Championships, expectations are high for the upcoming season.
The Knights will open their season by hosting the Bellarmine Open Tournament on November 2, 2024. The tournament will feature some of the top wrestling programs in the Midwest and will provide Bellarmine with early exposure to high-level competition.
Bellarmine will then embark on its dual meet schedule, which includes a number of challenging opponents. The Knights will travel to take on nationally ranked programs such as Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Penn State. They will also face off against regional rivals such as Purdue, Indiana, and Illinois.
