Cameron University Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club excels at Southwest Conference Championships

Cameron University's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CU BJJ) Club proudly represented the university at the Southwest Conference Championships, hosted by the National Collegiate Grappling Association (NCGA) at Sam Houston State University on October 25. The event brought together top collegiate grappling teams from across the region - including competitors from The University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Sam Houston State University - to compete in both men's and women's divisions.

CU's athletes delivered outstanding performances across multiple weight classes.

Lawton's Jesus Rojo, a senior pursing a degree in sports and exercise science, captured gold in the Men's 172 lb. Advanced Division, displaying dominant technique and composure throughout the tournament. He serves as the CU BJJ Club competition team captain.

Kyle Caballero, a sophomore strategic communication major from McKinney, Texas, earned gold in the Men's 161 lb. Intermediate Division, highlighting his precision and control on the mats.

Biology major Mariah Gaede, a junior from Lawton, claimed gold in the Women's 135 lb. Intermediate Division, showcasing exceptional skill and determination.

Liam Foster earned second place in the Men's 150 lb. Intermediate Division, with an impressive debut performance. He is a freshman concurrent student from Lawton.

Junior Karsyn Whalen, a psychology major from Lawton, earned second place in the Women's 172 lb. Intermediate Division, demonstrating resilience and strong competitive spirit.

Honorable mentions go to Elizabeth Danna, Chickasha; and Aydin Edwards and Seth Pleasant, Lawton; for their hard work and representation of CU's commitment to excellence, sportsmanship and teamwork.

The CU BJJ Club continues to build momentum as part of the NCGA's expanding collegiate circuit. The team now looks ahead to the NCGA National Championship Tournament at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA, scheduled for November 14-15.

To learn more about the CU BJJ Club, contact Dana Winters, faculty advisor, at [email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

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