CORBIN, Ky. – The Montevallo wrestling team opened its 2025-26 season in impressive fashion on Saturday, totaling nine placers, including three individual titles, at the Pepsi Patriot Open. The Falcons racked up 198 team points, finishing second overall in a competitive field.
Cole Hunt led the charge with a dominant run to the 125-pound title, earning five consecutive victories capped by a 17-4 major decision in the championship bout. Max Stedeford joined Hunt atop the podium, claiming the 149-pound Open division crown in his Montevallo debut with a decisive 15-2 win in the finals. Cole Sykes secured the Falcons' third title of the day, powering through five straight matches to capture the 184-pound Freshman/Sophomore division championship with a 13-6 decision in the final.
In addition to the trio of champions, Montevallo placed six more wrestlers on the podium. Junior Carson Freeman earned a runner-up finish at 157 pounds, while Kaden Brown also notched a second-place finish at 141 after a strong showing.
At 285, Willie Cox battled back to win four consecutive matches en route to third place in the 285-pound Open division, and CJ Duren took third in the 149-pound Freshman/Sophomore division, highlighted by a tech fall victory. Jordan Weltzin and Nick Dempsey rounded out the Falcons' placers, each finishing fourth at 141 and 157, respectively, in the Freshman/Sophomore divisions.
UP NEXT: The Falcons return to action on Thursday, Nov. 6, hosting Truett McConnell for Youth Night inside Central State Bank Arena. Action begins at 6:30 p.m.
