Six wrestlers look to defend conference titles at SoCon Championships on Saturday
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by Kala Ibarra, USA Wrestling
The Southern Conference Wrestling Championships are set for this Saturday, March 4, at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. SoCon was allocated 17 automatic bids to the national tournaments.
Of the eight institutions competing, one has earned a national ranking in the final NWCA Coaches Poll, No. 23 Appalachian State.
App State looks to defend its 2016 team title. Last year, the Mountaineers ended Chattanooga’s five-year winning streak, outscoring the Mocs by half a point with 83.5 points.
The Mountaineers boasts a 13-2 dual record and take the No. 1 spot in the conference, with hopes to win program’s eighth SoCon title.
Leading Appalachian State is two-time SoCon Wrestler of the Year Denzel Dejournette at 285 pounds. Dejournette, who is a two-time SoCon champion, is ranked No. 9 by Flowrestling with a 22-5 record. He enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Appalachian State features two other top seeds in senior Vito Pasone (125) and sophomore Matt Zovistoski (165). Pasone looks to claim his first SoCon championship after producing at runner-up finish in 2016.
Behind App State is Campbell University with a 16-7 record. Leading the Camels is returning SoCon champ and 17th-ranked Ville Heino at 184 pounds, who holds the top spot in the conference.
Also, holding No.1-seed from Campbell is freshman Josh Heil at 141 pounds.
Returning SoCon champion at 133 pounds Nathan Kraisser returns to the tournament, this time at 125 pounds. He holds a No. 19 national ranking and is seeded fourth for the championships.
Coming in with a 7-9 dual record is Chattanooga, is led by No. 16 Bryce Carr at 184 pounds. Carr checks in behind Campbell’s Heino at No. 2.
Chris Debien (133) and 2016 runner-up Justin Lampe (165) represent the Mocs with No. 1 seeds.
The Citadel also claims two top seeds including Aaron Walker (157) and Sawyer Root (197). Walker finished second last year at 157 pounds.
Leading Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is Jake Residori, No. 1 in the conference at 174 pounds.
Freddie Rodriguez, the 2016 SoCon champion at 125 pounds, looks to defend his title and enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed. In last year’s tournament, he recorded a 17-10 decision over App State’s Pasone in the finals to take the 125-pound crown.
Another returning champ for SIUE is John Fahy, who won the title at 149 pounds. He defeated Gardner-Webb’s Chris Vassar in the finals, 3-1.
Fahy and Vassar hold the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds entering the weekend.
Also representing Gardner-Webb is 2016 SoCon champ at 165 pounds Austin Trott. Compiling a 20-5 overall record and a 6-1 record in SoCon action, Trott checks in as the No. 2 seed at 174 pounds.
Action begins at 10 a.m. ET with the semifinals. Finals are set for 6 p.m. All rounds will be streamed live on SoCon Digital Network, and the brackets will be available on Trackwrestling.com.
2017 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 4 at The Citadel, Charleston, N.C.
Schedule
Session I
10:00 a.m.- Round 1
Session II
6:00 p.m.- Finals
How to watch: All rounds of the championship will be streamed live for free on the SoCon Digital Network. Live results updates can be found at TrackWrestling.com.
SoCon pre-seeds
125 lbs.
1. Vito Pasone, Appalachian State
2. Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga
3. Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
4. Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
5. Dalton Henderson, VMI
6. Landon LoAlbo, Gardner-Webb
7. Patrick Kearney, The Citadel
8. No entry, Davidson
133 lbs.
1. Chris Debien, Chattanooga
2. Colby Smith, Appalachian State
3. Jonathan Ryan, Campbell
4. John Muldoon, SIUE
5. Philip Anderson, Gardner-Webb
6. Michael Hulcher, VMI
7. Andrew Szalwinski, The Citadel
8. Dustin Runzo, Davidson
141 lbs.
1. Josh Heil, Campbell
2. Chase Zemenak, Chattanooga
3. Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State
4. Douglas Gudenburr, The Citadel
5. Trevor Feagans, SIUE
6. Ryan Hull, Gardner-Webb
7. John Reed, VMI
8. Hunter Costa, Davidson
149 lbs.
1. Matt Zovitoski, Appalachian State
2. Ty Buckiso, The Citadel
3. John Fahy, SIUE
4. Chris Vassar, Gardner-Webb
5. Ben Barton, Campbell
6. Stevan Smith, VMI
7. Roman Boylen, Chattanooga
8. Aiden Conroy, Davidson
157 lbs.
1. Aaron Walker, The Citadel
2. Austin Kraisser, Campbell
3. Neal Richards, VMI
4. Ryan Mosely, Gardner-Webb
5. Gavin Londoff, Appalachian State
6. Karsten Van Velsor, SIUE
7. Tony Palumbo, Davidson
8. Dylanger Potter, Chattanooga
165 lbs.
1. Justin Lampe, Chattanooga
2. Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb
3. Quentin Perez, Campbell
4. Forrest Prybysz, Appalachian State
5. Clayton Bass, SIUE
6. Cade Kiely, VMI
7. Ruston Hill II, The Citadel
8. Noah Satterfield, Davidson
174 lbs.
1. Jake Residori, SIUE
2. Austin Trott, Gardner-Webb
3. Sean Mappes, Chattanooga
4. John Weiss, Campbell
5. Shabaka Johns, VMI
6. Conor Fenn, Davidson
7. Martin Duane, The Citadel
8. Angel Najar, Appalachian State
184 lbs.
1. Ville Heino, Campbell
2. Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
3. Hunter Gamble, Gardner-Webb
4. David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State
5. Konner Pritchard, Davidson
6. Chris Beck, VMI
7. Jake Godinez, SIUE
8. Chandler Sambets, The Citadel
197 lbs.
1. Sawyer Root, The Citadel
2. Jake Tindle, SIUE
3. Willie Bivens III, Campbell
4. Clay Dent, Chattanooga
5. Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
6. Kyle Ash, Gardner-Webb
7. Taylor Thomas, VMI
8. Ryan Devlin, Davidson
285 lbs.
1. Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
2. Jere Heino, Campbell
3. Jared Johnson, Chattanooga
4. Jake McKiernan, SIUE
5. Boyce Cornwell, Gardner-Webb
6. Joe Bexley, The Citadel
7. Will Cooley, Davidson
8. Thomas Shea-Roop, VMI
2016 SoCon Championship Results
Team Standings
1. Appalachian State 83.5
2. Tennessee-Chattanooga 83
3. Gardner-Webb 61.5
4. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 51.5
5. Campbell 46.5
6. The Citadel 34.5
7. Virginia Military 27.0
8. Davidson 5.5
125 lbs.
1st: Alfredo Rodriguez (SIUE) dec. Vito Pasone (Appalachian State), 17-10
3rd: Dalton Henderson (Virginia Military) MD Alonzo Allen (Chattanooga), 12-2
133 lbs.
1st: Nathan Kraisser (Campbell) MD Tyler Ziegler (Gardner-Webb), 10-0
3rd: Irvin Enriquez (Appalachian State) dec. Dustin Runzo (Davidson College), 11-5
141 lbs.
1st: Michael Longo (Appalachian State) dec. Mike Pongracz (Chattanooga), 6-4 SV1
3rd: Ty Buckiso (Citadel) dec. Ryan Hull (Gradner-Webb), 10-3
149 lbs.
1st: John Fahy (SIUE) dec. Chris Vassar (Gardner-Webb), 3-1
3rd: Chase Zemenak (Chatanooga) TF Matt Zovitoski (Appalachian State), 17-0
157 lbs.
1st: Kamaal Shakur (Chattanooga) dec. Aaron Walker (Citadel), 10-6
3rd: Neal Richards (Virginia Military) dec. Ryan Mosely (Gardner-Webb), 13-6
165 lbs.
1st: Austin Trott (Gardner-Webb) dec Forrest Prybysz (Appalachian State), 5-4
3rd: Paul Duggan (Citadel) dec. Shabaka Johns (Virginia Military), 7-0
174 lbs.
1st: Nick Kee (Appalachian State) MD Sean Mappes (Chattanooga), 14-6
3rd: Connor McMahon (SIUE) dec. Brent Stein (Gardner-Webb), 6-4
184 lbs.
1st: Ville Heino (Citadel) dec. John Lampe (Chattanooga), 6-5
3rd: Hunter Gamble (Gardner-Webb) MD Taylor Jackson (Appalachian State), 11-2
197 lbs.
1st: Scott Boykin (Chattanooga) dec. Marshall Haas (Citadel), 3-2
3rd: Jake Tindle (SIUE) MD Randall Diabe (Appalachian State), 11-1
285 lbs.
1st: Denzel Dejournette (Appalachian State) dec. Jared Johnson (Chattanooga), 4-2
3rd: Boyce Cornwell (Gardner-Webb) dec. Jere Heino (Citadel), 4-3
The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. SoCon was allocated 17 automatic bids to the national tournaments.
Of the eight institutions competing, one has earned a national ranking in the final NWCA Coaches Poll, No. 23 Appalachian State.
App State looks to defend its 2016 team title. Last year, the Mountaineers ended Chattanooga’s five-year winning streak, outscoring the Mocs by half a point with 83.5 points.
The Mountaineers boasts a 13-2 dual record and take the No. 1 spot in the conference, with hopes to win program’s eighth SoCon title.
Leading Appalachian State is two-time SoCon Wrestler of the Year Denzel Dejournette at 285 pounds. Dejournette, who is a two-time SoCon champion, is ranked No. 9 by Flowrestling with a 22-5 record. He enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Appalachian State features two other top seeds in senior Vito Pasone (125) and sophomore Matt Zovistoski (165). Pasone looks to claim his first SoCon championship after producing at runner-up finish in 2016.
Behind App State is Campbell University with a 16-7 record. Leading the Camels is returning SoCon champ and 17th-ranked Ville Heino at 184 pounds, who holds the top spot in the conference.
Also, holding No.1-seed from Campbell is freshman Josh Heil at 141 pounds.
Returning SoCon champion at 133 pounds Nathan Kraisser returns to the tournament, this time at 125 pounds. He holds a No. 19 national ranking and is seeded fourth for the championships.
Coming in with a 7-9 dual record is Chattanooga, is led by No. 16 Bryce Carr at 184 pounds. Carr checks in behind Campbell’s Heino at No. 2.
Chris Debien (133) and 2016 runner-up Justin Lampe (165) represent the Mocs with No. 1 seeds.
The Citadel also claims two top seeds including Aaron Walker (157) and Sawyer Root (197). Walker finished second last year at 157 pounds.
Leading Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is Jake Residori, No. 1 in the conference at 174 pounds.
Freddie Rodriguez, the 2016 SoCon champion at 125 pounds, looks to defend his title and enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed. In last year’s tournament, he recorded a 17-10 decision over App State’s Pasone in the finals to take the 125-pound crown.
Another returning champ for SIUE is John Fahy, who won the title at 149 pounds. He defeated Gardner-Webb’s Chris Vassar in the finals, 3-1.
Fahy and Vassar hold the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds entering the weekend.
Also representing Gardner-Webb is 2016 SoCon champ at 165 pounds Austin Trott. Compiling a 20-5 overall record and a 6-1 record in SoCon action, Trott checks in as the No. 2 seed at 174 pounds.
Action begins at 10 a.m. ET with the semifinals. Finals are set for 6 p.m. All rounds will be streamed live on SoCon Digital Network, and the brackets will be available on Trackwrestling.com.
2017 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 4 at The Citadel, Charleston, N.C.
Schedule
Session I
10:00 a.m.- Round 1
Session II
6:00 p.m.- Finals
How to watch: All rounds of the championship will be streamed live for free on the SoCon Digital Network. Live results updates can be found at TrackWrestling.com.
SoCon pre-seeds
125 lbs.
1. Vito Pasone, Appalachian State
2. Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga
3. Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
4. Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
5. Dalton Henderson, VMI
6. Landon LoAlbo, Gardner-Webb
7. Patrick Kearney, The Citadel
8. No entry, Davidson
133 lbs.
1. Chris Debien, Chattanooga
2. Colby Smith, Appalachian State
3. Jonathan Ryan, Campbell
4. John Muldoon, SIUE
5. Philip Anderson, Gardner-Webb
6. Michael Hulcher, VMI
7. Andrew Szalwinski, The Citadel
8. Dustin Runzo, Davidson
141 lbs.
1. Josh Heil, Campbell
2. Chase Zemenak, Chattanooga
3. Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State
4. Douglas Gudenburr, The Citadel
5. Trevor Feagans, SIUE
6. Ryan Hull, Gardner-Webb
7. John Reed, VMI
8. Hunter Costa, Davidson
149 lbs.
1. Matt Zovitoski, Appalachian State
2. Ty Buckiso, The Citadel
3. John Fahy, SIUE
4. Chris Vassar, Gardner-Webb
5. Ben Barton, Campbell
6. Stevan Smith, VMI
7. Roman Boylen, Chattanooga
8. Aiden Conroy, Davidson
157 lbs.
1. Aaron Walker, The Citadel
2. Austin Kraisser, Campbell
3. Neal Richards, VMI
4. Ryan Mosely, Gardner-Webb
5. Gavin Londoff, Appalachian State
6. Karsten Van Velsor, SIUE
7. Tony Palumbo, Davidson
8. Dylanger Potter, Chattanooga
165 lbs.
1. Justin Lampe, Chattanooga
2. Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb
3. Quentin Perez, Campbell
4. Forrest Prybysz, Appalachian State
5. Clayton Bass, SIUE
6. Cade Kiely, VMI
7. Ruston Hill II, The Citadel
8. Noah Satterfield, Davidson
174 lbs.
1. Jake Residori, SIUE
2. Austin Trott, Gardner-Webb
3. Sean Mappes, Chattanooga
4. John Weiss, Campbell
5. Shabaka Johns, VMI
6. Conor Fenn, Davidson
7. Martin Duane, The Citadel
8. Angel Najar, Appalachian State
184 lbs.
1. Ville Heino, Campbell
2. Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
3. Hunter Gamble, Gardner-Webb
4. David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State
5. Konner Pritchard, Davidson
6. Chris Beck, VMI
7. Jake Godinez, SIUE
8. Chandler Sambets, The Citadel
197 lbs.
1. Sawyer Root, The Citadel
2. Jake Tindle, SIUE
3. Willie Bivens III, Campbell
4. Clay Dent, Chattanooga
5. Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
6. Kyle Ash, Gardner-Webb
7. Taylor Thomas, VMI
8. Ryan Devlin, Davidson
285 lbs.
1. Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
2. Jere Heino, Campbell
3. Jared Johnson, Chattanooga
4. Jake McKiernan, SIUE
5. Boyce Cornwell, Gardner-Webb
6. Joe Bexley, The Citadel
7. Will Cooley, Davidson
8. Thomas Shea-Roop, VMI
2016 SoCon Championship Results
Team Standings
1. Appalachian State 83.5
2. Tennessee-Chattanooga 83
3. Gardner-Webb 61.5
4. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 51.5
5. Campbell 46.5
6. The Citadel 34.5
7. Virginia Military 27.0
8. Davidson 5.5
125 lbs.
1st: Alfredo Rodriguez (SIUE) dec. Vito Pasone (Appalachian State), 17-10
3rd: Dalton Henderson (Virginia Military) MD Alonzo Allen (Chattanooga), 12-2
133 lbs.
1st: Nathan Kraisser (Campbell) MD Tyler Ziegler (Gardner-Webb), 10-0
3rd: Irvin Enriquez (Appalachian State) dec. Dustin Runzo (Davidson College), 11-5
141 lbs.
1st: Michael Longo (Appalachian State) dec. Mike Pongracz (Chattanooga), 6-4 SV1
3rd: Ty Buckiso (Citadel) dec. Ryan Hull (Gradner-Webb), 10-3
149 lbs.
1st: John Fahy (SIUE) dec. Chris Vassar (Gardner-Webb), 3-1
3rd: Chase Zemenak (Chatanooga) TF Matt Zovitoski (Appalachian State), 17-0
157 lbs.
1st: Kamaal Shakur (Chattanooga) dec. Aaron Walker (Citadel), 10-6
3rd: Neal Richards (Virginia Military) dec. Ryan Mosely (Gardner-Webb), 13-6
165 lbs.
1st: Austin Trott (Gardner-Webb) dec Forrest Prybysz (Appalachian State), 5-4
3rd: Paul Duggan (Citadel) dec. Shabaka Johns (Virginia Military), 7-0
174 lbs.
1st: Nick Kee (Appalachian State) MD Sean Mappes (Chattanooga), 14-6
3rd: Connor McMahon (SIUE) dec. Brent Stein (Gardner-Webb), 6-4
184 lbs.
1st: Ville Heino (Citadel) dec. John Lampe (Chattanooga), 6-5
3rd: Hunter Gamble (Gardner-Webb) MD Taylor Jackson (Appalachian State), 11-2
197 lbs.
1st: Scott Boykin (Chattanooga) dec. Marshall Haas (Citadel), 3-2
3rd: Jake Tindle (SIUE) MD Randall Diabe (Appalachian State), 11-1
285 lbs.
1st: Denzel Dejournette (Appalachian State) dec. Jared Johnson (Chattanooga), 4-2
3rd: Boyce Cornwell (Gardner-Webb) dec. Jere Heino (Citadel), 4-3
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