The Campbellsville University men’s wrestling team has taken the sport beyond the mat by overcoming physical and mental obstacles.
While producing several national champions and All-Americans, the team also experienced a devastating loss this past February – the sudden death of teammate Josiah Kilman.
The CU wrestling team’s journey not only demonstrates their strength as athletes but also their family-like relationship.
A look back
CU’s men’s wrestling program, which began in 2007, boasts four national champions: Zach Flake in 2007, Tommy Pretty in 2010, Davion Caston in 2015 and Chuck Sharon in 2018. Jacob Murton, who began his first season as the head coach, previously served nine years as the assistant coach. He’s assisted with many accomplishments, including finishing the 2019–20 season with five All-Americans during the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) tournament. The Tigers wrestled their way to a 21-2 duals record. Jordan Martinez, Zach Linton, Mahlic Sallah, Michael Diemer and Ashton Mutuwa all finished in the top eight of their individual weight classes.
Murton has even bigger dreams for the program’s future.
“I plan to finish top three in national team duals, top three at NAIA nationals and top five nationally in academics,” he said.
One of the biggest challenges within wrestling is the physical training required. The team not only has practice every single day, but they also must devote time out of practice to stay in shape. This can sometimes mean working out two to three times a day in addition to practices and weekend tournaments.
“Our team does intense conditioning to stay active like running and bear crawling up and down hills at Miller Park 15 times,” says Carson Baumgardner. “Outside of team conditioning, we have to diet by doing things like limiting fast food, portions and by eating fluids such as soups and leaner foods.”
Weight classes in wrestling are categories based on an athlete’s weight, which ensures fair competition by pairing competitors against people their same size. Wrestlers want to be the strongest within their weight class to have the biggest advantage. To participate in a lower weight class, most of the team must strategically cut their weight.
Although cutting weight is seen as an advantage while competing it puts you at a disadvantage in your everyday life. If done excessively, it can result to anxiety, depression, irritability and even potential eating disorders.
“It’s hard to lock in when cutting weight and I find myself really tired and moody most days,” said Bryant Beane. “You don’t realize how communal eating is and how often it is done around you until you can’t. When I hang out with my friends outside of the team it sucks not being able to participate in going to Cookout or McDonalds. It’s extremely tempting at times, and it tests you.”
The wrestlers often are cutting anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds in a short amount of time. To do so, they must sometimes take extreme measures.
“The morning before a competition a lot of us have to wake up super early, usually between 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. to run three to four miles with multiple layers on in order to kick start our metabolism and sweat out any water weight” said Beane. “We also bike around five miles a day, sit in a sauna for as long as we can, and wrestle for hours with multiple layers in a 90-degree facility.”
Team faces toughest battle yet
On Feb. 24, the CU men’s wrestling team experienced an unmatched hardship – the death of their teammate Josiah Kilman.
Kilman, a Montana native, began his freshman year at CU in the fall 2023, majoring in Christian missions. He was heavily involved with the team on and off the mat. He created deep friendships, and his presence changed the culture of the team.
“Josiah changed the approach to everything into a more positive outlook,” Beane said. “He was always there through thick and thin and wanted to see everyone grow. He helped me with my walk with God and was the first person I had ever gone to church within my entire life.”
Kilman was discovered unresponsive in his dorm room in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 24, and he was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital. His teammates waited in the hospital for two hours until they officially pronounced him deceased. According to the Taylor County Coroner’s Office, autopsy results showed the cause of death was asphyxiation by manual strangulation. That evening, Campbellsville Police arrested CU student Charles E. Escalera, 21, inside a barn located on the Green County/Taylor County line. He’s been charged with the murder of Kilman, among other charges, and is currently incarcerated at the Taylor County Detention Center.
Kilman’s death was a profound tragedy for the wrestling team, leaving them devastated and heartbroken.”
“It was awful, there’s really no other words to put it,” Beane said. “We all lost sleep. I experienced very vivid sleep paralysis after. We cried a lot, and it consumed all our minds at all times.”
Despite the tragedy, the team finished top five in national team duals, had four All-Americans at NAIA nationals and ended with a top six team finish.
The journey of the men’s wrestling team is a powerful testament not only to their skill on the mat but also to their unwavering character and unity. The tragic loss of Kilman tested their resolve, yet they responded with remarkable perseverance, determined to honor his memory.
