Bentley Ellison wears his Campbell University T-shirt with pride.
It’s what the Cleveland High School senior has accomplished in a Blue Raiders singlet, though, that has helped him land a spot next season in Buies Creek, North Carolina, with the Fighting Camels — the four-time reigning champions of the Southern Conference wrestling tournament.
The 126-pounder has been a rock for the Blue Raiders this season, when he is 38-2 and the lone senior among the 12 Cleveland wrestlers who qualified for this week’s TSSAA Class AA state traditional tournament in Franklin.
After winning twice Thursday, by a 10-0 major decision and a 7-0 decision, he was dominant again Friday at the Williamson County Ag Exposition Arena in his lone match, winning his semifinal 8-1. Now he’s one of seven Blue Raiders in Saturday’s championship finals, which are set for 3 p.m. Eastern.
Cleveland is trying to win its sixth straight state traditional title and 12th straight state team title, with the Blue Raiders having clinched their sixth consecutive duals championship earlier this month in Franklin by beating intracounty rival Bradley Central.