Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information
LAKELAND, Fla. - KC Buday defeated the top ranked and defending national champion Gage Braun from No. 3 Southeastern University (Fla.) and earned a technical fall over Wylie Dunn from University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) to help the University of Providence men's wrestling team to a 3-1 record in the Southeastern Quad Duals Saturday in Lakeland, Florida.
Buday won by decision 3-2 over Braun in the first dual of the day for the Argos. Providence fell to the 3rd ranked Fire from Southeastern 19-15. The Argos beat No. 15 Reinhardt (Ga.) 18-15, No. 12 Cumberlands from Kentucky 25-22, and No. 19 Cumberland (Tenn.) 26-10.
Joel Avila, ranked 10th in the country, went 4-0 on the day with three decisions and a major decision victory at 133-lb. Liam Swanson also finished 4-4 with three falls at 197-lb, Sawyer Hobbs who is No. 18 at 184-lb, was 3-0 including a win over No. 12 Coleman Bryant of Southeastern by a 7-2 decision and a pin of 23rd ranked Sam Irvin from Reinhardt. Alan Badley, 24th at 184-lb, went 2-0 with a win over No. 21 Austin Antcliffe from University of the Cumberlands by decision 3-1.
The 11th ranked wrestler at 165-lb., Jordan Komac went 2-1 earning including a 3-2 win over No. 8 Matt Jenkins of Reinhardt and Southeastern's Wyatt Kirkham before falling by a 3-2 decision to last year's champion Cole Smith of Cumberland University (Tenn.). Able Nava, ranked 9th was 3-1 on the day at 174-lb., highlighted by a win over fourth-ranked Cole Tenety of Reinhardt 5-0. Nava's only loss of the day was to Southeastern's No. 12 nationally ranked wrestler, Douglas Peppers 2-0.
"Our upper weight classes had big days," says Providence Head Coach Steve Komac. "Jordan had two good wins before falling to last year's champ. Able had a good day going 3-1, Sawyer won two matches by fall that were crucial in our team scores.
"Joel was a bright spot in the lower weights and Buday had a huge day including a tech fall to secure the last dual."
The Argos are now 6-1 in duals this season and will next wrestle duals against North Idaho College and No. 7 Eastern Oregon in La Grande, Oregon January 13.
Full results: Fire Duals (trackwrestling.com)
