California Baptist University
Cliff Keen Invitational
Kemp and Schumm Pick Up Ranked Wins as CBU Competes at the Cliff Keen Invitational
12/5/2025 8:34:00 PM | Wrestling
LAS VEGAS, NV--- The California Baptist University wrestling team headed to Las Vegas to compete in the prestigious Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday.
The Lancers would earn two ranked wins on the day and multiple individual victories as they competed against wrestlers from dozens of ranked programs.
In the opening session of the tournament, the Lancers would pick up seven victories across nine weight classes, including two from Drayden Morton and Tristan Kemp. Morton, who was the Lancers' lone seeded wrestler in the tournament, picked up the first win of the day as he defeated Ray Cmil of VMI via technical fall. CBU's biggest upset victory of the tournament came in the next match, as Gabe Schumm was matched up against #16 Dylan Gilcher of Michigan. Gilcher, a 2025 NCAA qualifier, was the three-seed in the 165lb bracket and was coming off a dual win over Virginia. Schumm dominated the match with three takedowns on Gilcher while only surrendering escape points in an 11-2 major decision.
Schumm's victory began a string of individual wins for the Lancers as Mason Espinoza and Eli Sheeren would also follow suit with victories in their respective championship brackets. Espinoza would pick up an 8-6 decision over Tommy Bennett of Northern Illinois at 174lbs, while Sheeren picked up a much-earned win over Hudson Skove of Harvard at 197lbs.
In the consolation brackets, the Lancers would pick up a handful of more victories as Paul Kelly and Tristan Kemp would both pick up their first wins of the day. Kelly would dominate his matchup at 149lbs with a 7-0 decision over Bryce Shelton of Air Force. Kemp would get a ranked victory at heavyweight, as he matched up with 2x NCAA qualifier #28 Hayden Filipovich of Purdue, who was the #10 seed in the bracket. Kemp would wrestle very tactfully in the match and would get a clutch takedown in the third period to ultimately grind out a 4-2 decision over Filipovich. Morton would pick up the second victory of his day over Nick Alvarez of Franklin and Marshall to join Kemp in the second session.
In session #2, Morton would conclude his Cliff Keen run in the consolation round of 8 as he faced Derek Raike of Ohio. Morton would earn two takedowns in the match, but two third-period takedowns from Raike would secure the match, 13-10. Kemp would win his first consolation round of 8 matchup as he faced Mason Cover of Cal State Bakersfield. Kemp utilized an impressive third-period rideout to secure a 3-0 decision victory. Kemp would finish off CBU's Cliff Keen run against 2025 NCAA qualifier #19 Luke Rasmussen of South Dakota State. Kemp would get a reversal in the first period, but Rasmussen would earn the fall to move on to the placement rounds.
NEXT: The Lancers will have a road dual against Presbyterian on Monday, December 15, in Clinton, South Carolina.
Players Mentioned
