Preview: Appalachian State to battle Chattanooga, Campbell for Southern Conference title
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by Gary Abbott and Viviane Fracasso, USA Wrestling
Randall Diabe of Appalachian State is the No. 1 pre-seed at 197 for the SoCon Championships. Photo courtesy of AppStateSports.com
The favorite: The big three in the Southern Conference are defending champion Campbell, 2018 conference dual meet champion Appalachian State and perennial power Chattanooga. These three programs have legitimate reasons to believe that they can become champions this year.
In duals, Appalachian State won two close matches against the other two top rivals, beating Campbell 18-12 and Chattanooga, 18-16. One of the big wins for App State against Chattanooga came at 197, where Randall Diabe edged nationally ranked Scottie Boykin, a swing match that would have changed the team result if it went the other way. Appalachian State has the most athletes who are either in the NCAA Coaches Rankings or the RPI, which should carry over to the conference performance. No. 1 preseeds went to No. 16 Forrest Przybysz (174), Gavin Londoff (149), Angel Najar (157) and Diabe (197). Add in No. 2 preseeds Alan Clothier (184) and Cary Miller (285), who are also capable of winning conference titles. Look for Appalachian State to add the tournament title to its SoCon dual championship.
Other contenders: Chattanooga has good depth in its lineup, with a pair of stars who are both nationally ranked at No. 12, Bryce Carr at 184 and Scottie Boykin at 197. Others who could do damage for UTC include Alonzo Allen (125), Michael Pongracz (141) and Chad Pyke (165). Pongracz and Carr received No. 1 preseeds. Campbell brings in some strong indivduals as well, Korbin Meink (125), Nathan Boston (133), Quentin Perez (165) and Jere Heino (285) appearing in either the Coaches Rankings or the RPI. Meink and Heino have No. 1 preseeds for the SoCon Tournament.
The teams: Appalachian State, Chattanooga, Campbell, SIU-Edwardsville, Gardner-Webb, VMI, Davidson , The Citadel
Venue: The Citadel's McAlister Field House
Best weight class: The 197 pound weight class has received two automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Championships, one of just two weights at the SoCon tournament with more than one automatic qualifier. Chattanooga’s Scottie Boykin has a No. 12 national ranking, but lost in the dual meet to Randall Diabe of Appalachian State, 3-2. Sawyer Root of The Citadel was second in the SoCon Tournament last year. No. 3 preseed Christian Dulaney of SIUE was a two-time JUCO All-American before ended up with the Cougars. There is a reason this weight is getting the two automatic qualifiers, and we should expect some good battles.
Notes:
• This will be the last year that SIU-Edwardsville will be competing in the Southern Conference, as it has announced a move to the Mid America Conference beginning in 2018-19.
• The Southern Conference is scheduled to pick up another team in 2018-19, as the brand new Div. I program at Presbyterian College in South Carolina has accepted an invitation to join the conference as an associate member next year. Former Oklahoma and American head coach Mark Cody has been hired to lead this program.
• International wrestling fans might recognize Campbell heavyweight Jere Heino, who represented Finland at the 2017 World Championships in freestyle. Last year, Campbell also featured Ville Heino, who dropped a match at the 2017 Worlds to American star J’den Cox. You can expect more international wrestlers to compete at Campbell in the future, based upon Coach Cary Kolat’s reputation internationally. Mongolian wrestler Odgerel Batkhishig, who won a JUCO national title for Northwest Kansas Tech last week, has announced that he plans to compete at Campbell.
Nationally ranked wrestlers, preseeds and returning placers
(FloWrestling Rankings of Feb. 26)
125 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 125
Preseeds - 1. Korbin Meink, Campbell; 2. Zac Gentzler, SIUE; 3. Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga; 4. Cliff Conway, VMI; 5. De’Andre Swinson-Barr, Appalachian State; 6. Michael McClelland, Davidson; 7. Will Jacobs, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 25 Meink
RPI - No. 32 Meink
Returning SoCon placers: Allen (4th)
133 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 133
Preseeds: 1. John Muldoon, SIUE; 2. Codi Russell, Appalachian State; 3. Chris Debien, Chattanooga; 4. Philip Anderson, Gardner-Webb; 5. Nathan Boston, Campbell; 6. Hunter Starner, VMI; 7. Patrick Kearney, The Citadel; 8. Zamir Ode, Davidson
Coaches Ranking – No. 30 Boston
RPI – N/A
Returning SoCon placers: Debien (1st), Muldoon (3rd)
141 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 141
Preseeds: 1. Mike Pongracz, Chattanooga; 2. Jonathan Ryan, Campbell; 3. Douglas Gudenburr, The Citadel; 4. Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State; 5. Dakota Leach, SIUE; 6. Dustin Runzo, Davidson; 7. Denton Spencer, Gardner-Webb; 8. Michael Hulcher, VMI
No SoCon wrestlers in Coaches Ranking or RPI
Returning SoCon placers: Enriquez (2nd), Gudenburr (3rd)
149 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 149
Preseeds: 1. Gavin Londoff, Appalachian State; 2. Zach Barnes, Campbell; 3. Tyshawn Williams, SIUE; 4. Ty Buckiso, The Citadel; 5. Roman Boylen, Chattanooga; 6. Joby Armenta, Gardner-Webb; 7. Aiden Conroy, Davidson; 8. Will Lawrence, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 32 Buckiso
RPI – No. 28 Londoff
Returning SoCon placers: Buckiso (4th)
157 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 157
Preseeds: 1. Angel Najar, Appalachian State; 2. Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb; 3. Austin Kraisser, Campbell; 4. Jake Adcock, Chattanooga; 5. Karsten Van Velsor, SIUE; 6. Rian Burris, The Citadel; 7. Tony Palumbo, Davidson ; 8. Steve Midkiff, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 30 Marinelli
RPI - No. 28 Marinelli
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Kraisser (2nd)
165 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 165
Preseeds: 1. Nate Higgins, SIUE; 2. Chad Pyke, Chattanooga; 3. Quentin Perez, Campbell; 4. Brett Stein, Gardner-Webb; 5. Blake Hohman, VMI; 6. Laken Cook, Appalachian State; 7. Hunter Costa, Davidson; 8. Houston Curtis, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 31 Pyke, No. 32 Perez
RPI - No. 21 Pyke
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Perez (1st)
174 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No 20 Forrest Przybysz (Appalachian State)
Preseeds: 1. Forrest Przybysz, Appalachian State; 2. Justin Lampe, Chattanooga; 3. Andrew Morgan, Campbell; 4. Christian Maroni, Gardner-Webb ; 5. Bryce Shewan, SIUE; 6. Cade Kiely, VMI; 7. Noah Satterfield, Davidson; 8. Matt McGillick, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 16 Przybysz
RPI - No. 12 Przybysz, No. 32 Lampe
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Przybysz (2nd at 165), Lampe (3rd at 165)
184 pounds (2 NCAA automatic qualifiers)
No. 12 Bryce Carr (Chattanooga)
Preseeds: 1. Bryce Carr, Chattanooga; 2. Alan Clothier, Appalachian State; 3. Luke Funck, Campbell; 4. Cole Graves, Gardner-Webb; 5. Conor Fenn, Davidson; 6. Chris Beck, VMI; 7. Jake Godinez, SIUE; 8. Michael Lopouchanski, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 13 Carr, No. 24 Clothier
RPI - No. 10 Carr
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Carr (1st)
197 pounds (2 NCAA automatic qualifiers)
No. 12 Scottie Boykin (Chattanooga)
Preseeds: 1. Randall Diabe, Appalachian State; 2. Scottie Boykin, Chattanooga; 3. Christian Dulaney, SIUE; 4. Sawyer Root, The Citadel; 5. Anthony Perrine, Gardner-Webb; 6. Chris Kober, Campbell; 7. Konner Pritchard, Davidson; 8. Jake Koch, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 12 Boykin, No. 32 Diabe
RPI – No. 3 Boykin, No. 27 Diabe
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Root (2nd), Diabe (3rd)
285 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 285
Preseeds: 1. Jere Heino, Campbell; 2. Cary Miller, Appalachian State; 3. Connor Tolley, Chattanooga; 4. Michael McAleavey, The Citadel; 5. Lathan Bumgarner, Gardner-Webb ; 6. Tommy Helton, SIUE; 7. Jake Tomlinson, VMI; 8. Will Cooley, Davids
Coaches Ranking – No. 28 Heino, No. 32 Miller
RPI – No. 24 Heino
Returning SoCon placers: Heino (2nd)
2017 Southern Conference Champions
125-pounds - Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
133-pounds - Chris Debien, Chattanooga
141-pounds - Josh Heil, Campbell
149-pounds - Matt Zovistoski, Appalachian State
157-pounds - Ryan Mosley, Gardner-Webb
165-pounds - Quentin Perez, Campbell
174-pounds - Jake Residori, SIUE
184- pounds - Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
197-pounds - Jake Tindle, SIUE
285-pounds - Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
2017 Team Standings: Campbell 89.5, Appalachian State 86, SIUE 69.5, Chattanooga 66, Gardner-Webb 37.5, The Citadel 33.5, VMI 9.5, Davidson 7
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
(Eastern time)
Saturday, March 3
10 a.m. - Preliminaries
7 p.m. – Championship Finals
Tickets are Adults: $15; Youth (6-12): $10; Groups of 10 or more: $8 each. Students from Southern Conference schools, including wrestling associate member schools, free with school ID. $3 off ticket price with the donation of a food item at the door
The favorite: The big three in the Southern Conference are defending champion Campbell, 2018 conference dual meet champion Appalachian State and perennial power Chattanooga. These three programs have legitimate reasons to believe that they can become champions this year.
In duals, Appalachian State won two close matches against the other two top rivals, beating Campbell 18-12 and Chattanooga, 18-16. One of the big wins for App State against Chattanooga came at 197, where Randall Diabe edged nationally ranked Scottie Boykin, a swing match that would have changed the team result if it went the other way. Appalachian State has the most athletes who are either in the NCAA Coaches Rankings or the RPI, which should carry over to the conference performance. No. 1 preseeds went to No. 16 Forrest Przybysz (174), Gavin Londoff (149), Angel Najar (157) and Diabe (197). Add in No. 2 preseeds Alan Clothier (184) and Cary Miller (285), who are also capable of winning conference titles. Look for Appalachian State to add the tournament title to its SoCon dual championship.
Other contenders: Chattanooga has good depth in its lineup, with a pair of stars who are both nationally ranked at No. 12, Bryce Carr at 184 and Scottie Boykin at 197. Others who could do damage for UTC include Alonzo Allen (125), Michael Pongracz (141) and Chad Pyke (165). Pongracz and Carr received No. 1 preseeds. Campbell brings in some strong indivduals as well, Korbin Meink (125), Nathan Boston (133), Quentin Perez (165) and Jere Heino (285) appearing in either the Coaches Rankings or the RPI. Meink and Heino have No. 1 preseeds for the SoCon Tournament.
The teams: Appalachian State, Chattanooga, Campbell, SIU-Edwardsville, Gardner-Webb, VMI, Davidson , The Citadel
Venue: The Citadel's McAlister Field House
Best weight class: The 197 pound weight class has received two automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Championships, one of just two weights at the SoCon tournament with more than one automatic qualifier. Chattanooga’s Scottie Boykin has a No. 12 national ranking, but lost in the dual meet to Randall Diabe of Appalachian State, 3-2. Sawyer Root of The Citadel was second in the SoCon Tournament last year. No. 3 preseed Christian Dulaney of SIUE was a two-time JUCO All-American before ended up with the Cougars. There is a reason this weight is getting the two automatic qualifiers, and we should expect some good battles.
Notes:
• This will be the last year that SIU-Edwardsville will be competing in the Southern Conference, as it has announced a move to the Mid America Conference beginning in 2018-19.
• The Southern Conference is scheduled to pick up another team in 2018-19, as the brand new Div. I program at Presbyterian College in South Carolina has accepted an invitation to join the conference as an associate member next year. Former Oklahoma and American head coach Mark Cody has been hired to lead this program.
• International wrestling fans might recognize Campbell heavyweight Jere Heino, who represented Finland at the 2017 World Championships in freestyle. Last year, Campbell also featured Ville Heino, who dropped a match at the 2017 Worlds to American star J’den Cox. You can expect more international wrestlers to compete at Campbell in the future, based upon Coach Cary Kolat’s reputation internationally. Mongolian wrestler Odgerel Batkhishig, who won a JUCO national title for Northwest Kansas Tech last week, has announced that he plans to compete at Campbell.
Nationally ranked wrestlers, preseeds and returning placers
(FloWrestling Rankings of Feb. 26)
125 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 125
Preseeds - 1. Korbin Meink, Campbell; 2. Zac Gentzler, SIUE; 3. Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga; 4. Cliff Conway, VMI; 5. De’Andre Swinson-Barr, Appalachian State; 6. Michael McClelland, Davidson; 7. Will Jacobs, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 25 Meink
RPI - No. 32 Meink
Returning SoCon placers: Allen (4th)
133 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 133
Preseeds: 1. John Muldoon, SIUE; 2. Codi Russell, Appalachian State; 3. Chris Debien, Chattanooga; 4. Philip Anderson, Gardner-Webb; 5. Nathan Boston, Campbell; 6. Hunter Starner, VMI; 7. Patrick Kearney, The Citadel; 8. Zamir Ode, Davidson
Coaches Ranking – No. 30 Boston
RPI – N/A
Returning SoCon placers: Debien (1st), Muldoon (3rd)
141 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 141
Preseeds: 1. Mike Pongracz, Chattanooga; 2. Jonathan Ryan, Campbell; 3. Douglas Gudenburr, The Citadel; 4. Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State; 5. Dakota Leach, SIUE; 6. Dustin Runzo, Davidson; 7. Denton Spencer, Gardner-Webb; 8. Michael Hulcher, VMI
No SoCon wrestlers in Coaches Ranking or RPI
Returning SoCon placers: Enriquez (2nd), Gudenburr (3rd)
149 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 149
Preseeds: 1. Gavin Londoff, Appalachian State; 2. Zach Barnes, Campbell; 3. Tyshawn Williams, SIUE; 4. Ty Buckiso, The Citadel; 5. Roman Boylen, Chattanooga; 6. Joby Armenta, Gardner-Webb; 7. Aiden Conroy, Davidson; 8. Will Lawrence, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 32 Buckiso
RPI – No. 28 Londoff
Returning SoCon placers: Buckiso (4th)
157 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 157
Preseeds: 1. Angel Najar, Appalachian State; 2. Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb; 3. Austin Kraisser, Campbell; 4. Jake Adcock, Chattanooga; 5. Karsten Van Velsor, SIUE; 6. Rian Burris, The Citadel; 7. Tony Palumbo, Davidson ; 8. Steve Midkiff, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 30 Marinelli
RPI - No. 28 Marinelli
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Kraisser (2nd)
165 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 165
Preseeds: 1. Nate Higgins, SIUE; 2. Chad Pyke, Chattanooga; 3. Quentin Perez, Campbell; 4. Brett Stein, Gardner-Webb; 5. Blake Hohman, VMI; 6. Laken Cook, Appalachian State; 7. Hunter Costa, Davidson; 8. Houston Curtis, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 31 Pyke, No. 32 Perez
RPI - No. 21 Pyke
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Perez (1st)
174 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No 20 Forrest Przybysz (Appalachian State)
Preseeds: 1. Forrest Przybysz, Appalachian State; 2. Justin Lampe, Chattanooga; 3. Andrew Morgan, Campbell; 4. Christian Maroni, Gardner-Webb ; 5. Bryce Shewan, SIUE; 6. Cade Kiely, VMI; 7. Noah Satterfield, Davidson; 8. Matt McGillick, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 16 Przybysz
RPI - No. 12 Przybysz, No. 32 Lampe
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Przybysz (2nd at 165), Lampe (3rd at 165)
184 pounds (2 NCAA automatic qualifiers)
No. 12 Bryce Carr (Chattanooga)
Preseeds: 1. Bryce Carr, Chattanooga; 2. Alan Clothier, Appalachian State; 3. Luke Funck, Campbell; 4. Cole Graves, Gardner-Webb; 5. Conor Fenn, Davidson; 6. Chris Beck, VMI; 7. Jake Godinez, SIUE; 8. Michael Lopouchanski, The Citadel
Coaches Ranking – No. 13 Carr, No. 24 Clothier
RPI - No. 10 Carr
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Carr (1st)
197 pounds (2 NCAA automatic qualifiers)
No. 12 Scottie Boykin (Chattanooga)
Preseeds: 1. Randall Diabe, Appalachian State; 2. Scottie Boykin, Chattanooga; 3. Christian Dulaney, SIUE; 4. Sawyer Root, The Citadel; 5. Anthony Perrine, Gardner-Webb; 6. Chris Kober, Campbell; 7. Konner Pritchard, Davidson; 8. Jake Koch, VMI
Coaches Ranking – No. 12 Boykin, No. 32 Diabe
RPI – No. 3 Boykin, No. 27 Diabe
Returning 2017 SoCon placers: Root (2nd), Diabe (3rd)
285 pounds (1 NCAA automatic qualifier)
No SoCon wrestlers ranked by Flo at 285
Preseeds: 1. Jere Heino, Campbell; 2. Cary Miller, Appalachian State; 3. Connor Tolley, Chattanooga; 4. Michael McAleavey, The Citadel; 5. Lathan Bumgarner, Gardner-Webb ; 6. Tommy Helton, SIUE; 7. Jake Tomlinson, VMI; 8. Will Cooley, Davids
Coaches Ranking – No. 28 Heino, No. 32 Miller
RPI – No. 24 Heino
Returning SoCon placers: Heino (2nd)
2017 Southern Conference Champions
125-pounds - Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
133-pounds - Chris Debien, Chattanooga
141-pounds - Josh Heil, Campbell
149-pounds - Matt Zovistoski, Appalachian State
157-pounds - Ryan Mosley, Gardner-Webb
165-pounds - Quentin Perez, Campbell
174-pounds - Jake Residori, SIUE
184- pounds - Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
197-pounds - Jake Tindle, SIUE
285-pounds - Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
2017 Team Standings: Campbell 89.5, Appalachian State 86, SIUE 69.5, Chattanooga 66, Gardner-Webb 37.5, The Citadel 33.5, VMI 9.5, Davidson 7
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
(Eastern time)
Saturday, March 3
10 a.m. - Preliminaries
7 p.m. – Championship Finals
Tickets are Adults: $15; Youth (6-12): $10; Groups of 10 or more: $8 each. Students from Southern Conference schools, including wrestling associate member schools, free with school ID. $3 off ticket price with the donation of a food item at the door
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