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The University of Montevallo celebrated Gabe Hixenbaugh’s historic first national championship in school history with a proclamation from governor Kay Ivey as the Falcons earned the first shutout in program history against Shorter. (For the Reporter/Dawn Harrison)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – On a night when the University of Montevallo Falcons honored one of their most historic achievements, they made more history on the wrestling mat.

Montevallo defeated the Shorter Hawks 50-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 14 for its first shutout in program history. The achievement also came in the program’s inaugural home Conference Carolinas dual at Central State Bank Arena.

Before the dual though, the Falcons honored Gabe Hixenbaugh, who became the first national champion in school history when he won the Division II 133-pound wrestling championship in March 2024.

The Alabaster native and Thompson graduate earned a 31-0 record and secured 14 wins over ranked opponents, earning All-American honors and OpenMat’s Wrestler of the Year award while leading Montevallo’s program in its inaugural season.

Hixenbaugh received a special proclamation from the Shelby County Legislative Delegation signed by Alabama governor Kay Ivey recognizing his national championship victory.

“Be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses therefore concurring, that we highly commend and congratulate Gabe Hixenbaugh for his outstanding NCAA Division II wrestling season and for winning the national championship while representing the University of Montevallo,” the proclamation read.

As for the dual itself, the action on the mat began in the 133-pound division after Colt Brown won his 125-pound match by forfeit. Daniel McEntyre pinned Shorter’s Avery Foster in the second period at the 2:30-mark to secure all six points.

One of the tightest matches of the night followed as Kaden Brown faced Brayden Gibson in the 141-pound division. Brown had the edge on Gibson in points during the match and saw out the 8-3 victory by decision.

Chad Strickland then won a much wider decision against Ethan Ross in the 149-pound match, winning by a score of 11-1 to take a major decision.

Alabaster natives took center stage in the ensuing 157 and 165-pound matches as both Nick Dempsey and Carson Freeman secured technical falls. Dempsey secured the win at the 3:28-mark of his match with a score of 19-3, and Freeman only needed 2:13 to gain a 20-3 lead and take the win.

McAdory alum Aiden Knight secured a major decision in the 174-pound match as he beat Riley Davis of the Hawks by a score of 17-6.

Baxter Hoffman claimed a win in a marathon of a 184-pound match, securing a pinfall at the 6:51-mark to bring home the victory.

Thompson alum Jeffery Tubbs didn’t need to break a sweat as he won the 197-pound match by forfeit.

Wetumpka native Willie Cox closed the night with a heavyweight matchup against Eli Kimball with a historic shutout on the line. He took care of business by earning a 20-5 technical fall as the match neared its end at the 5:59-mark, securing the shutout win for his team.

Montevallo improved to 4-3 in duals and 3-3 in Conference Carolinas play this season. The Falcons will return to action in a Conference Carolinas tri-match against Emory & Henry and Bluefield State on the road at Bluefield State University on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 4 and 6 p.m.

Then, coach Daniel Ownbey’s side will come home for its third and final home dual of the 2024-25 season against Reinhardt on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at Central State Bank Arena.

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