LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 3 SEU Wrestling delivered a full team performance on Saturday at the Southeastern Open, turning The Furnace into a showcase of depth, discipline, and high-level execution. Against a field loaded with regional opponents and nationally ranked individuals, the Fire produced three tournament champions, nine podium finishes, and several ranked wins that underscored the strength and balance of this year's roster.
The Fire crowned three individual champions, beginning with 141-pounder Joseph Hutchins, who put together a clean 4–0 run to secure the title. Hutchins controlled every match with poise, strong mat awareness, and consistent attacks that allowed him to dictate pace throughout the bracket. His performance set the tone early for SEU's middle weights.
At 157 pounds,
Ryan Bennett continued his rise with a standout 4–0 day that included two victories over NAIA-ranked opponents. Bennett's combination of pressure attacks, counter wrestling, and late-match composure helped him navigate one of the deepest brackets of the tournament before closing out the championship with a win over a ranked teammate.
The third title came at 197 pounds, where
Ralph Sanchez delivered a composed and efficient 3–0 run. Sanchez used clean positioning and strong top work to control matches from start to finish, securing his first tournament crown of the season and anchoring SEU's upperweight presence.
SEU also collected four runner-up finishes. At 125,
Erick Hair pieced together a strong 3–1 effort that included a ranked win, while at 133,
Anthony O'Dell matched that performance with a 3–1 run of his own to finish second. No. 11-ranked 149-pounder
Raymond Cavey added another silver medal after an unforgettable semifinal performance, and No. 15
Austin Scott reached the finals at 157 before taking second.
Cavey delivered one of the tournament's signature highlights in the 149-pound semifinals. Trailing 7–1 in the third period, he mounted an incredible rally—scoring a takedown, cutting his opponent, and firing in for a second takedown with six seconds remaining to steal a 10–9 victory. The comeback electrified The Furnace and pushed Cavey into the championship bout, adding an emotional spark to SEU's already strong day.
Third-place finishes added crucial depth to SEU's overall performance. At 149, freshman
Jaxon Mackey went 4–1 and delivered a major upset with a first-period fall over a nationally ranked opponent. At 165,
Xavier Barnhart finished third with a 3–1 record, showing improved confidence and scoring ability in tight matches. The 174-pound bracket was equally productive, with
Husam Mustafa earning third after a 4–1 day, while heavyweight newcomer
Seth Tshiams added a 2–1 effort to secure third at 285.
Ranked wins further elevated the Fire's tournament resume. Bennett collected a pair, beginning with a 4–2 decision over No. 10 Jake Moon of Oklahoma City. He later added a 7–2 win over teammate and No. 15-ranked Scott in the championship match. Hair produced another signature upset with a 4–2 victory over No. 12 Hayden Wright of Oklahoma City at 125. At 149, Mackey stunned the field with a fall in 1:05 over No. 12 Kolby Depron, and Cavey later added a narrow but critical 10–9 win over Depron during his semifinal comeback.
Beyond the podium, SEU received valuable contributions across the roster.
Jackson Crawford posted a 3–2 record at 149, while
Noah Gregory placed sixth with two victories. At 157,
Michael Shannon finished fourth at 2–2, and
Jaime Rodriguez added a 3–2 effort. The Fire's depth continued at 174, where
Noah Graham placed fourth with a 3–2 mark. At 184,
Derek Washington and
Kai Shultz each picked up wins, and heavyweight
Bryce Wheatley added a 2–1 run to claim second place.
Lane Reardon also gained experience in his match at 174.
Overall, the Fire displayed a balanced, aggressive, and resilient roster capable of winning in multiple styles and staying sharp through long tournament runs.
SEU will return to action on Thursday, December 18, with a busy slate at The Fire Pit during the annual Fire Duals. The Fire will host three duals throughout the day, beginning at 9 a.m. against Rochester Christian University, followed by a 10:30 a.m. matchup with Indiana Tech, and concluding with a 1:30 p.m. showdown against the University of Providence (Mont.).
