2023 NAIA The Season: Cumberland

 

2022-2023 looks to be a good season for the Phoenix as four NAIA qualifiers return from last season, three of which were All Americans and one of which was a national champion. They did lose All American Anthony Maia and R12'er Patrick DePiazza, but will have others who step up to fill those gaps. 

125 lbs
Carter Cox 

I went to college with a kid from Atlantic, Iowa who still lives in Atlantic to this day. We occasionally talk wrestling & here a few years ago he predicted that he thought that Carter Cox was going to be a standout collegiate wrestler. He was right. Thus far the senior has made NAIA All American status twice with back to back 8th place finishes. Most notable is his ability to win those close 1 or 2 point matches, which are often the difference makers for not only his success, but the team's success.  A MSCN champion this past season, he'll look for a third All American honor as well as a another conference title. 

133 lbs
KeShawn Laws 

KeShawn Laws has an opportunity this season to join the rare & elite club of five time NAIA qualifiers. Placing 8th last season, he will also look for a second All American honor.  

165 lbs
Cole Smith 

Old Dominion made it clear, cut and dry that they wanted nothing to do with a tremendous talent like Cole Smith & Cumberland came in and made it clear, cut and dry that they DID. Smith has been a phenomenal asset to the Phoenix as he finished 3rd in 2021 & won the NAIA national title last season. COVID-19 has made it hard to determine someone's exact eligibility, but I believe he has two seasons left on his resume. 

184 lbs 
Austin Antcliffe

Despite not qualifying for the NAIA championships last season, Austin Antcliffe still had a pretty respectable year. He simply needs to fix little mistakes here and there and a lot of those close losses he took last season will turn into victories this season. He was 3rd in the MSCN last season. 

197 lbs
River Henry 

An NAIA qualifier last season, River Henry is another talent who Old Dominion told to get lost, who Cumberland was more than happy to take in. The Tennessee native was 5th in a very tough MSCN tournament last season & will look to improve upon that finish this season. 

HWT
Grant Clarkson 

Now that Patrick DePiazza has graduated, Grant Clarkson will be the top dawg at HWT for the Phoenix. Although not an NAIA qualifier last season, he did have a very respectable 15-7 rookie season. Look for the sophomore to make the NAIA tournament this season.