Lander University

Bob Stoner

Wrestling 12/15/2024 8:19:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Davis and Hunsberger win Individual Titles; Peace Places Seventh at Midwest Classic

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Junior David Hunsberger (Duncan, S.C.) became the first two-time Midwest Classic Champion in program history while freshman, Christian Davis (Arizona City, Ariz.), capped his first semester of college wrestling on top of the podium as well as the 15th-ranked Lander Wrestling team walked away with two individual champions for the second straight season at the Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis. Lander placed sixth as a team with 84.5 team points, moving up ten spots on the final day.

The championship duo was joined on the podium by Isham Peace (Okatie, S.C.), who earned a spot in the top eight for the second consecutive season

Davis started day two with a dominant 10-2 major decision over fourth-ranked Peter Rolle of Central Oklahoma before a six-minute 18-3 tech fall over Jak Keller of Grand Valley State sent him into the championship match against second-ranked and returning All-American, Reece Barnhardt. In that match, Davis left no doubt as he won in dominant 8-2 fashion for his first Midwest Classic win of his career.

Hunsberger left no doubt that he remains the class of the 165-lb class as he dispatched Jace Fisher of Newman, 14-7, before pinning the sixth-ranked wrestler in his weight class in Guy Deleonardis of Glenville State to send him to the championship match to face Nolan Gessler of Tiffin. Hunsberger earned a 9-3 decision over Gessler to clinch his second straight Midwest Classic title. The Duncan, S.C. native was one of only two returning champions to make the return trip to the top step of the podium at this year's classic.

Peace opened his day by just falling short of a major decision over Ryan Wehner of Upper Iowa before winning by tech fall against 15th-ranked Brock Durbin of Ashland. He suffered a setback in his next match sending him to the seventh-place match but the Okatie, S.C. native bounced back with a 4-1 win in the first period of sudden victory against to cap his day.

This concludes competition for the Bearcats in 2024. The Lander Wrestling team returns to action just after the new year as they welcome the Emory and Henry Wasps to Finis Horne Arena on January 2nd. First whistle is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger: Junior; 157

Isham Peace: Redshirt Junior; 141

Christian Davis: Freshman; 133

Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger
: Junior; 157

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Junior; 141

Christian Davis
: Freshman; 133