ASHLAND, Ore. – It was a monumental day for the (RV) Corban University men's wrestling team, which earned its first-ever dual win on Thursday. The Warriors defeated (RV) Simpson University by a 27-18 tally in the historic victory, which preceded a 29-16 defeat to (RV) Southern Oregon.

"We have been battling sickness and injuries all week, but our guys managed to step up and wrestle with heart and perseverance," said head coach Keegan Davis. "C.J. Richmond had a great debut performance, picking up two dual wins for us and starting both off on the right note. Jack Farley also picked up two wins, ending both duals on a high mark."

In the first of two duals, the Warriors matched up against the Red Hawks in a battle of Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) foes.

After Simpson picked up six points by way of forfeit in the 125-pound battle, Richmond officially opened his Warrior account with a triumph (decision, 6-3) over Silas LaGroue. Three-straight victories at 165, 174, and 184 pounds propelled the Navy and Gold ahead of the Red Hawks, led by Cooper McCullough (decision, 13-7), Levi Perry (fall, 1:36) and Noah Sickles (fall, 4:02).

Farley then capped off the triumph in the heavyweight battle, downing Erick Sanchez by an 8-2 margin.

After the triumph, the Warriors then turned their sights towards tournament-host Southern Oregon.

Richmond capped a 2-0 day with a 10-7 decision in the 133-pound matchup versus Southern Oregon's Beau Shatto. The Navy and Gold would drop each of the next three faceoffs, however, providing the hometown Raiders with a sizeable 22-3 advantage by the 165-pound match.

A number of Warriors stood out in the day's second dual, with McCullough once again triumphing. The junior from Moses Lake, Wash. downed the Raiders' Nick Peterson by way of major decision (15-5).

No. 7-ranked Perry continued his strong start to the 2019-20 season, pinning Simpson's Easton Howe in less than two minutes (1:36), and winning via technical fall in his matchup against Fabian Miranda-Walls (19-4).

Farley again excelled in the final match of the dual, closing out the day's events with a major decision over Southern Oregon's Ismael De La Torre, Jr. (14-6).

Fighting through injuries and illness, the Warrior squad continues to see new members rise to the occasion, with Thursday's historic team performance adding further evidence of the talent possessed by the squad.

Corban (1-2) will continue dual season on Saturday, traveling to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for duals against Northwest Wyoming and North Idaho College.