Campus News

November 10th, 2026

Lakers’ Cannaday wins 165-pound title at JMU

Gavin second at 133 for Lakers, who host FSU B Team Friday

Harrisonburg, VA – Garrett College 165-pounder Cameron Cannaday won his weight class at Saturday’s James Madison University Invitational.

“He set the tone. He went out there and dominated,” said GC head coach Sampson Wilkins. “I was very pleased with how he approached the weekend.”

Cannaday went 4-0 in the invitational, including a 4-0 victory over former Laker national qualifier Brooks Smith (Ferrum College) in the finals.

Laker Keon Gavin also reached his weight class title match, settling for second place at 133 pounds after getting pinned by Ferrum College’s Conner Walck at the 1:29 mark of the finals. Gavin recorded a pin and a technical fall on his way to the championship match.

“That kid was just having fun. I could tell he had the right mindset going into the day,” Wilkins said of Gavin.

Noah Obinna (157) and Filippos Kakos (184) notched third-place finishes for the Lakers, who had 11 of their 16 wrestlers place in their respective weight classes.

“When Noah went out there and confidently wrestled as himself, he was phenomenal,” said Wilkins.

Kakos gave eventual champion Liam DeBaugh – another former Laker national qualifier now wrestling for Ferrum College – his toughest match while losing a 13-9 semifinal encounter.

“Filippos took it to Liam,” said Wilkins, who was pleased with Kakos’ tenacity.

Kollin Sullivan went 4-1 and qualified for the third-place match at 174 pounds, but was unable to wrestle in the consolation finals after reaching his match limit for the week.

“Although he couldn’t compete for third, he learned a lot from his time on the mat this weekend and fought hard,” said Wilkins of Sullivan.

Brady Hamilton also finished fourth as GC’s second entrant at 133 pounds.

Wilkins indicated the long bus ride was worth the effort.

“The field was pretty cool – some Division I kids, some Division II kids, some club teams that really brought it,” said Wilkins. “Our younger guys got a taste of a real college tournament, and are itching for the opportunity to test themselves again at the end of the month [at the Shorty Hitchcock Open].”

“The overall intensity increase was great to see,” said GC assistant coach Joe Embelton, “as well as the guys growing as a team and rooting each other on.”

Lakers assistant coach Calvin Friend agreed.

“You could see the guys pulling together as a group, really trying to encourage their teammates who needed the boost when they got themselves in tough positions,” said Friend.

The Lakers host Frostburg State University’s “B” team Friday at 5:30 p.m. in their home opener.