Lander University

Farrah Sheeren

Wrestling 1/17/2026 5:12:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

No. 2 Life Pulls Away Late from No. 6 Lander

MARIETTA, Ga. – Gritty wins from #2 David Hunsberger and Maxwell Kiel briefly pushed the sixth-ranked Lander Wrestling team in front late, but a bonus-point win at 184 and a high-scoring decision at 197 allowed second-ranked Life (NAIA) to pull away for a 20-16 win on Saturday afternoon.

The Bearcats move to 13-3 on the season, with all three losses coming against top-three teams in their respective divisions. It marks just the second time in program history Lander has dropped three consecutive duals.

Lander opened the dual strong at 125 as Kaden Kuenzi used a third-period takedown and a late reversal to secure a 9-6 decision. James Joplin followed with a dominant performance at 133, piling up four takedowns and a third-period nearfall on his way to a 16-3 major decision to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead.

Life answered quickly with a first-period pin at 141 before adding a decision at 149 and a tiebreaker win at 157 to swing the score in their favor, 12-7.

Hunsberger responded at 165, breaking a 5-5 tie with a third-period takedown to earn an 8-6 decision over ninth-ranked Rocky Raby. Kiel followed with one of the biggest wins of the match, scoring four points in the final period to knock off fifth-ranked Reese Jones, 8-7, giving Lander a 13-12 lead with three bouts remaining.

Life regained control at 184 with an 18-1 technical fall before sealing the dual at 197 in a back-and-forth 23-19 decision.

At heavyweight, #13 Isaac Sheeren closed the match with a strong effort, earning a 10-4 decision over third-ranked Gabriel Jacobs. Sheeren scored three takedowns and forced multiple stall calls while finishing just two points shy of a major decision.

The Bearcats return to Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday, Jan. 20, traveling to Emory, Va., for a pair of matches against Emory & Henry and Bluefield State. First bout is set for 5 p.m. on the campus of Emory & Henry.

Results: No. 2 Life 20, No. 6 Lander 16

125: Kaden Kuenzi (LAND) over Connor Mullins (LIFE) (Dec 9-6)
133: James Joplin (LAND) over Hunter Elmore (LIFE) (MD 16-3)
141: Tanner Jordan (LIFE) over Elijah Lusk (LAND) (Fall 1:18)
149: Cole Chinn (LIFE) over Isham Peace (LAND) (Dec 6-4)
157: Rocky Raby (LIFE) over Reid Noble (LAND) (TB-1 6-5)
165: David Hunsberger (LAND) over Rocky Raby (LIFE) (Dec 8-6)
174: Maxwell Kiel (LAND) over Reese Jones (LIFE) (Dec 8-7)
184: John Ridle (LIFE) over Dylan Kohn (LAND) (TF 18-1)
197: Evan Bates (LIFE) over Marvelous Rutledge (LAND) (Dec 23-19)
285: Isaac Sheeren (LAND) over Gabriel Jacobs (LIFE) (Dec 10-4)

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Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger: 165; Senior; 157

James Joplin: 133; Graduate Student; 125

Kaden Kuenzi: 125; Graduate Student; 125

Elijah Lusk: 141; Graduate Student; 141

Reid Noble: 149; Junior; 149

Isham Peace: 149; Redshirt Senior; 149

Marvelous Rutledge: 197; Senior; 197

Isaac Sheeren: 285; Sophomore; 285

Maxwell Kiel: 174; Graduate Student; 174

Dylan Kohn: 184; Graduate Student; 184

Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger
: Senior; 157
: 165

James Joplin
: Graduate Student; 125
: 133

Kaden Kuenzi
: Graduate Student; 125
: 125

Elijah Lusk
: Graduate Student; 141
: 141

Reid Noble
: Junior; 149
: 149

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Senior; 149
: 149

Marvelous Rutledge
: Senior; 197
: 197

Isaac Sheeren
: Sophomore; 285
: 285

Maxwell Kiel
: Graduate Student; 174
: 174

Dylan Kohn
: Graduate Student; 184
: 184