Garrett College men’s wrestling opened its Gulf Atlantic District championship defense with a 41-12 victory over Pennsylvania Highlands Community College on November 1, 2026, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The dual also gave coach Sampson Wilkins his first college coaching victory.
Garrett College secured the dual when Kollin Sullivan pinned Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Omar Parker in the 174-pound bout. Sullivan’s victory gave the Lakers an insurmountable 32-6 lead.
“I was so locked in to the individual matches that were left that I didn’t take into account we had won the dual,” Wilkins said.
Garrett College Wins Eight Consecutive Matches
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College won the opening match when Layton Munyon pinned Garrett College’s Logan Johnson at 125 pounds. Garrett College then won eight consecutive matches before Connor Ward closed the dual by pinning Garrett College’s Blake Ratcliffe at 285 pounds.
Bradly Hamilton recorded a pin at 133 pounds, and Keon Gavin followed with a pin at 141 pounds. Dekhi Church won at 149 pounds, while Peyton Miller received a forfeit at 157 pounds after Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Devin Barrett did not make weight.
Cameron Cannaday earned a technical fall at 165 pounds, followed by Sullivan’s decisive pin at 174. Filippos Kakos won by major decision at 184 pounds, and Sundiata Chavis earned a technical fall at 197 pounds.
“We kind of established we haven’t changed very much, and we’re ready to roll,” Wilkins said. “We still have a lot of improvement to make, but I think we’re on a great trajectory for the season.”
Exhibitions Add to Garrett College’s Victory Total
Miller also defeated Barrett in an exhibition match after receiving the official forfeit. Wilkins said Miller wrestled with intent and established himself early in the exhibition.
“He [Miller] came out with intent and established himself as a Laker – he put the kid away pretty quick. The excitement on his face after that match was pretty special,” Wilkins said.
Ramon Espin also defeated Barrett in an exhibition match while progressing toward qualifying for the 157-pound weight class. Including the exhibitions, Garrett College won 12 of 18 matches against Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
“Based on weight certification, the lowest Ramon could be this week was 157.3, but we still got him a match against their starter,” Wilkins said.
Garrett College Scheduled for James Madison University Invitational
Garrett College was scheduled to compete in the James Madison University Invitational on November 7, 2026. Wilkins described the event as an opportunity to evaluate the team after its opening dual.
“It was exciting to see us do so well, but we still have lots of work to do. The JMU Invitational [November 7] will be a good test to see where we’re at as a team,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins was a 2024 NCAA Division III All-American and regional champion at Vermont State University at Castleton. He also was the 2024 Spartans MVP and qualified for the national tournament three times in five years.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Garrett College’s 41-12 victory provided a strong start to its Gulf Atlantic District championship defense and gave Wilkins his first college coaching win. The Lakers combined pins, technical falls, a major decision, a forfeit and exhibition victories to win 12 of 18 matches.
The James Madison University Invitational was scheduled as Garrett College’s next competition on November 7, 2026. Wilkins said the event would provide a test of the team’s progress after the dual victory.
Source: Original report
