Thursday, January 29
Boiling Springs, N.C.
6:00 PM
Davidson College
24
at
21
Gardner-Webb
Photo by: Tim Cowie/DavidsonPhotos.com
'Cats Rally to Stun Gardner-Webb with Last-Bout Pin from Spring
1/29/2026 8:56:00 PM | Wrestling
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Trailing 21-11 late in the dual, Davidson won the final three weight classes, highlighted by a fall from DJ Spring II at 285 to defeat Gardner-Webb for the first-time ever, 24-21, Thursday night inside Paul Porter Arena.
With the victory, the 'Cats moved to 4-10 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Conference, while the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to 4-10 and 1-2.
Facing its largest deficit of the evening, the Wildcats started to cut into Gardner-Webb's lead with Cody Kirk's major decision at 184 pounds to make it 21-15. In addition to the freshman's 16-3 triumph, it was his first career conference win.
Daniel Elyash followed with a hard-fought 1-0 decision at 197 to pull Davidson within three, 21-18, and setting up the decisive and final match.
Spring's dual-clinching and third career pin came following a reversal 25 ticks into the second period.
After dropping matches at both 133 and 141 pounds, Wildcat Anderson Heap responded with a 20-3 tech fall over Drew Pepin to remain unbeaten in SoCon duals and put Davidson in front 11-9.
It appeared Davidson was going to take a 17-12 lead with a medical forfeit at 165 pounds, but Bryce Griffin was disqualified for an illegal move, which awarded the Bulldogs six points and swung the team advantage in their favor 18-11.
At 174, Isaiah Guerrero extended the margin to double digits for the Bulldogs with a late takedown and 3-1 decision.
Brady Joling also recorded a win by forfeit at 125 for the Wildcats.
Up Next
Davidson will host conference foe Bellarmine Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Davidson 24, Gardner-Webb 21
January 29, 2026 | Paul Porter Arena
125 – Brady Joling (DC) wins by forfeit.
133 – Jackson Baglio (GWU) def. Luke Passarelli (DC) by Tech Fall, 16-1
141 – TK Davis (GWU) def. Marley Washington (DC) by Maj. Dec., 20-6
149 – Anderson Heap (DC) def. Drew Pepin (GWU) by Tech Fall, 20-3
157 – Joseph Giordano (GWU) def. Tanner Peake (DC) by Dec., 4-1
165 – Tucker Cell (GWU) def. Bryce Griffin (DC) by DQ
174 – Isaiah Guerrero (GWU) def. Tyson Sherlock (DC) by Dec., 3-1
184 – Cody Kirk (DC) def. Andrew Wilson (GWU) by Maj. Dec., 16-3
197 – Daniel Elyash (DC) def. Edison Flores (GWU) by Dec., 1-0
285 – DJ Spring II (DC) def. Mason Blue (GWU) by Fall (3:25)
With the victory, the 'Cats moved to 4-10 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Conference, while the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to 4-10 and 1-2.
Facing its largest deficit of the evening, the Wildcats started to cut into Gardner-Webb's lead with Cody Kirk's major decision at 184 pounds to make it 21-15. In addition to the freshman's 16-3 triumph, it was his first career conference win.
Daniel Elyash followed with a hard-fought 1-0 decision at 197 to pull Davidson within three, 21-18, and setting up the decisive and final match.
Spring's dual-clinching and third career pin came following a reversal 25 ticks into the second period.
After dropping matches at both 133 and 141 pounds, Wildcat Anderson Heap responded with a 20-3 tech fall over Drew Pepin to remain unbeaten in SoCon duals and put Davidson in front 11-9.
It appeared Davidson was going to take a 17-12 lead with a medical forfeit at 165 pounds, but Bryce Griffin was disqualified for an illegal move, which awarded the Bulldogs six points and swung the team advantage in their favor 18-11.
At 174, Isaiah Guerrero extended the margin to double digits for the Bulldogs with a late takedown and 3-1 decision.
Brady Joling also recorded a win by forfeit at 125 for the Wildcats.
Up Next
Davidson will host conference foe Bellarmine Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Davidson 24, Gardner-Webb 21
January 29, 2026 | Paul Porter Arena
125 – Brady Joling (DC) wins by forfeit.
133 – Jackson Baglio (GWU) def. Luke Passarelli (DC) by Tech Fall, 16-1
141 – TK Davis (GWU) def. Marley Washington (DC) by Maj. Dec., 20-6
149 – Anderson Heap (DC) def. Drew Pepin (GWU) by Tech Fall, 20-3
157 – Joseph Giordano (GWU) def. Tanner Peake (DC) by Dec., 4-1
165 – Tucker Cell (GWU) def. Bryce Griffin (DC) by DQ
174 – Isaiah Guerrero (GWU) def. Tyson Sherlock (DC) by Dec., 3-1
184 – Cody Kirk (DC) def. Andrew Wilson (GWU) by Maj. Dec., 16-3
197 – Daniel Elyash (DC) def. Edison Flores (GWU) by Dec., 1-0
285 – DJ Spring II (DC) def. Mason Blue (GWU) by Fall (3:25)
Players Mentioned
197
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
285
/ Wrestling
141
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