Scotti Sentes says no extra push needed ahead of Campbell clash with Appalachian State: 'Everybody understands what's at stake here'

Southern Conference rivals clash Friday on UFC Fight Pass in final CFFC Match Day of 2023-24 season.

Campbell University wrestling head coach Scotti Sentes would like to see his team win each and every time they step on the mat, but the stakes are unquestionably a little bit higher when Southern Conference rivals Appalachian State are standing on the other side.

That will be the case on Friday, when the Fighting Camels and the Mountaineers clash in a key CFFC Match Day dual that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Buies Creek, N.C.

With final preparations underway for the matchup, Sentes says the buzz is building on campus, and his team is more than ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"Right now, the guys are just focused on preparing to battle, just like they would any other weekend, but I would say the intensity is up a little bit," Sentes said. "I will say this: Our fanbase, you know, the people on campus, they're getting a little bit staticky, so it should be creating a fun environment."

Campbell and Appalachian State have combined to win the past eight SoCon Wrestling Championship titles. It was the Mountaineers who were victorious most recently, capping off the 2022-2023 season with the win and ending a run of four straight titles from the Fighting Camels. 

With the two campuses less than 200 miles apart, the interstate rivalry has become even more intense through the years, and Sentes said his team hasn't needed any sort of reminder of that fact ahead of the clash.

“We know everybody's going to show up," Sentes said. "Everybody understands what's at stake here. It's not something we feel like we've got to talk about. Our guys know, and they're training hard and they understand it – and everybody knows what their job is. There's guys that need to go get bonus points. There's guys that need to pull off big wins that maybe they aren't expected to get on paper, and so, you know, we're gearing up, right – and we expect them to do the same. 

"One big thing is we haven't been able to wrestle them at home for the last two years, and so for us to be able to sleep in our own beds, to have our fanbase there? I know they're going to try to caravan guys in, support them, but we're going to do it on our home field, and there's a little bit of an advantage to that."

Both teams have spent some time in the National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings during the 2023-24 season, though they each find themselves just outside the top 25 currently. However, both programs boast a number of individually ranked athletes, making for an intriguing matchup on paper.

"They're a great team," Sentes said. "They're well coached, and every year he's done a good job of creating North Carolina talent oftentimes that people hadn't heard of, and they just work hard. I think they kind of pride themselves on being blue collar, and they like to get after it, and, you know, we're the same way. We kind of like a good scrap. 

"I see them coming out and trying to get after it with us, and that falls right into our gameplan. We like a lot of points getting put up, and so it should make for a lot of fun."

With March's NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships quickly approaching, not to mention the SoCon Championship two weeks earlier, both squads will be looking to make a statement with their performances at Friday's event. Sure, bragging rights are on the line, but Campbell and Appalachian State are looking at titles, as well.

Sentes expects to see fireworks inside of Gore Arena.

"Honestly, I haven't had to say much (to the team)," Sentes said. "I'll be straight with you. Right now, they're just really focused on perfecting their craft, on bringing up the level of energy they're putting in, and I haven't really had to say much to them. You know, maybe match day I'll say something, but like I said, they know what it is. A lot of these guys have been around or they have heard it and, you know, they know what our fanbase thinks about it, what our alumni think about it, and so right now, they're just really focused in on their own craft, on what they have to do to get the job done that day.

"I just want to make the highlight reel every match, every bout. I'd love to see some domination, and I'd love to see something you guys can put some music to and play back."