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Southern Conference announces seeding for 2023 Wrestling Championship
by Southern Conference
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference has released the seeds for the 2023 SoCon Wrestling Championship, the league office announced Wednesday. The championship is set to take place Saturday, March 5, at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, North Carolina. Eight squads will compete for the 2023 SoCon title with 12 NCAA allocations available for the NCAA Championships.
The SoCon earned two NCAA allocations each at 133 pounds and 174 pounds. The remaining weight classes earned one allocation each, which is the automatic qualifier for the conference tournament champion.
Campbell seeks to defend its last four tournament titles under third-year head coach Scotti Sentes. The Camels finished second in the conference regular-season standings with their only loss coming to App State on Feb. 19. App State finished first in the conference standings, concluding the campaign with an 8-0 conference record and 12-2 record overall.
App State’s Jonathan Millner (149), the 2022 SoCon Championship most outstanding wrestler, is looking for his third-straight title. Campbell’s Shannon Hanna (141), Caleb Hopkins (184) and Taye Ghadiali (285), Gardner-Webb’s RJ Mosley (165) and Chattanooga’s Matthew Waddell (184) are all looking for a second straight individual crown. Waddell won the title at 197 a season ago.
Millner, Caleb Smith (125), Ethan Oakley (133), Tommy Askey (157) and Will Formato (165) enter the championship as the No. 1 seeds in their respective weight classes for App State. The Mountaineers’ remaining seeded wrestlers include Heath Gonyer (141, No. 3), Will Miller (174, No. 2), Luke Uliano (184, No. 5), Carson Floyd (197, No. 2) and Jacob Sartorio (HWT, No. 3).
Campbell holds four No. 1 seeds for the third consecutive year, with Hanna (141), Caleb Hopkins (184), Levi Hopkins (197) and Ghadiali (HWT) all earning a top spot. The Camels’ remaining seeded wrestlers include Anthony Molton (125, No. 3), Domenic Zaccone (133, No. 2), Chris Rivera (149, No. 3), Troy Nation (157, No. 2), Dom Baker (165, No. 4) and Cole Rees (174, No. 6).
The Citadel’s John Chesser is the No. 2 seed in the heavyweight class and is the Bulldogs’ highest-seeded wrestler. The seeds for the remaining wrestlers for The Citadel are Blair Orr (125, No. 5), George Rosas (133, No. 5), Jacob Silka (141, No. 5), Ethan Willis (149, No. 5), Anthony Allen (157, No. 6), Brodie Porter (165, No. 8), Ben Haubert (174, No. 3), Tim Fitzpatrick (184, No. 6) and Mark Chiad (197, No. 8).
Davidson’s seeds are Devon Diaco (125, No.8), Jackson Sichelstiel (133, No. 6), Josh Viarengo (141, No. 6), Noah Frack, Davidson (149, No. 6), Tanner Peake (157, No. 3), Bryce Sanderlin (165, No. 6), Jaden Hardrick (174, No. 5), Cameo Blankenship (184, No. 8), Gavin Henry (197, No. 7) and Jake Fernicola (HWT, No. 6).
Mosley, Zach Price (141) and Jha’Quan Anderson (184) are all No. 2 seeds in their respective weight classes for Gardner-Webb. The other Bulldogs that will be competing on Saturday are Drew West (125, No.4), Todd Carter (133, No. 4), Parker Corwin (149, No. 8), Tyler Brignola (157, No. 7), Andrew Wilson (174, No. 8), Sam Mora (197, No. 3) and Abraham Preston (HWT, No. 7).
Presbyterian will compete in its third conference championship, as the squad finished its fourth season as a member of the SoCon. Dominic Chavez received the highest seed for the Blue Hose as he is the No. 2 seed at 125 pounds.
Chattanooga secured one No. 1 seed, that being Rocky Jordan (174), entering the championship on Saturday. Noah Castillo (149) is a No. 2 seed and Waddell looks to follow his 2022 title at 197 pounds with a title at 184 as a No. 3 seed. Brayden Palmer (133) and Weston Wichman (165) are also No. 3 seeds for the Mocs. Franco Valdes (141), Lincoln Heck (157) and Logan Andrew (HWT) sit as No. 4 seeds for their matches, Logan Ashton (125) and Jake Boyd (197) are sixth and fifth seeds, respectively, in their weight classes.
VMI comes into the SoCon championship with three No. 4 seeds, Ryan Vigil (149) and Jon Hoover (174) and Tyler Mousaw (197). Job Chishko (157) and Braxton Lewis (165) are ranked fifth in their respective weight classes, while Freddy Junko (141) is a No. 6 seed. Tony Burke (125, No. 7), Dyson Dunham (133, No. 8) and Zach Brown (184, No. 7) are the remaining wrestlers for the Keydets.
Eight SoCon wrestling teams compete at the 2022 SoCon Wrestling Championships in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, March 4. A clear-bag policy will be in effect at the Holmes Convocation Center. The championship will be streamed in its entirety on ESPN+.
Seeds
125 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Caleb Smith, Appalachian State
#2 Dominic Chavez, Presbyterian
#3 Anthony Molton, Campbell
#4 Drew West, Gardner-Webb
#5 Blair Orr, The Citadel
#6 Logan Ashton, UTC
#7 Tony Burke, VMI
#8 Devon Diaco, Davidson
133 (2 NCAA allocations)
#1 Ethan Oakley, Appalachian State
#2 Dom Zaccone , Campbell
#3 Brayden Palmer, UTC
#4 Todd Carter, Gardner-Webb
#5 George Rosas, The Citadel
#6 Jackson Sichelstiel, Davidson
#7 Jake Brasseur, Presbyterian
#8 Dyson Dunham, VMI
141 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Shannon Hanna, Campbell
#2 Zach Price, Gardner-Webb
#3 Heath Gonyer, Appalachian State
#4 Franco Valdes, UTC
#5 Jacob Silka, The Citadel
#6 Freddy Junko, VMI
#7 Trent Donahue, Presbyterian
#8 Josh Viarengo, Davidson
149 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Jonathan Miller, Appalachian State
#2 Noah Castillo, UTC
#3 Chris Rivera, Campbell
#4 Ryan Vigil, VMI
#5 Ethan Willis, The Citadel
#6 Noah Frack, Davidson
#7 Khalid Brinkley, Presbyterian
#8 Parker Corwin, Gardner-Webb
157 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Tommy Askey, Appalachian State
#2 Troy Nation, Campbell
#3 Tanner Peake, Davidson
#4 Lincoln Heck, UTC
#5 Job Chishko, VMI
#6 Anthony Allen, The Citadel
#7 Tyler Brignola, Gardner-Webb
#8 Michael Ramirez, Presbyterian
165 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Will Formato, Appalachian State
#2 RJ Mosley, Gardner-Webb
#3 Weston Wichman, UTC
#4 Dom Baker, Campbell
#5 Braxton Lewis, VMI
#6 Bryce Sanderlin, Davidson
#7 Tyler Chittum, Presbyterian
#8 Brodie Porter, The Citadel
174 (2 NCAA allocations)
#1 Rocky Jordan, UTC
#2 Will Miller, Appalachian State
#3 Ben Haubert, The Citadel
#4 Jon Hoover, VMI
#5 Jaden Hardrick, Davidson
#6 Cole Rees, Campbell
#7 Zach Wells, Presbyterian
#8 Andrew Wilson, Gardner-Webb
184 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Caleb Hopkins, Campbell
#2 Jha’Quan Anderson, Gardner-Webb
#3 Matthew Waddell, UTC
#4 Cordel Duhart, Presbyterian
#5 Luke Uliano, Appalachian State
#6 Tim Fitzpatrick, The Citadel
#7 Zach Brown, VMI
#8 Cameo Blankenship, Davidson
197 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Levi Hopkins, Campbell
#2 Carson Floyd, Appalachian State
#3 Sam Mora, Gardner-Webb
#4 Tyler Mousaw, VMI
#5 Jake Boyd, UTC
#6 Malcolm Wiley, Presbyterian
#7 Gavin Henry, Davidson
#8 Mark Chaid, The Citadel
285 (1 NCAA allocations)
#1 Taye Ghadiali, Campbell
#2 Jonathan Chesser, The Citadel
#3 Jacob Sartorio, Appalachian State
#4 Logan Andrew, UTC
#5 Josh Evans, VMI
#6 Jake Fernicola, Davidson
#7 Abraham Preston, Gardner-Webb
#8 Morvens Saint Jean, Presbyterian
The SoCon earned two NCAA allocations each at 133 pounds and 174 pounds. The remaining weight classes earned one allocation each, which is the automatic qualifier for the conference tournament champion.
Campbell seeks to defend its last four tournament titles under third-year head coach Scotti Sentes. The Camels finished second in the conference regular-season standings with their only loss coming to App State on Feb. 19. App State finished first in the conference standings, concluding the campaign with an 8-0 conference record and 12-2 record overall.
App State’s Jonathan Millner (149), the 2022 SoCon Championship most outstanding wrestler, is looking for his third-straight title. Campbell’s Shannon Hanna (141), Caleb Hopkins (184) and Taye Ghadiali (285), Gardner-Webb’s RJ Mosley (165) and Chattanooga’s Matthew Waddell (184) are all looking for a second straight individual crown. Waddell won the title at 197 a season ago.
Millner, Caleb Smith (125), Ethan Oakley (133), Tommy Askey (157) and Will Formato (165) enter the championship as the No. 1 seeds in their respective weight classes for App State. The Mountaineers’ remaining seeded wrestlers include Heath Gonyer (141, No. 3), Will Miller (174, No. 2), Luke Uliano (184, No. 5), Carson Floyd (197, No. 2) and Jacob Sartorio (HWT, No. 3).
Campbell holds four No. 1 seeds for the third consecutive year, with Hanna (141), Caleb Hopkins (184), Levi Hopkins (197) and Ghadiali (HWT) all earning a top spot. The Camels’ remaining seeded wrestlers include Anthony Molton (125, No. 3), Domenic Zaccone (133, No. 2), Chris Rivera (149, No. 3), Troy Nation (157, No. 2), Dom Baker (165, No. 4) and Cole Rees (174, No. 6).
The Citadel’s John Chesser is the No. 2 seed in the heavyweight class and is the Bulldogs’ highest-seeded wrestler. The seeds for the remaining wrestlers for The Citadel are Blair Orr (125, No. 5), George Rosas (133, No. 5), Jacob Silka (141, No. 5), Ethan Willis (149, No. 5), Anthony Allen (157, No. 6), Brodie Porter (165, No. 8), Ben Haubert (174, No. 3), Tim Fitzpatrick (184, No. 6) and Mark Chiad (197, No. 8).
Davidson’s seeds are Devon Diaco (125, No.8), Jackson Sichelstiel (133, No. 6), Josh Viarengo (141, No. 6), Noah Frack, Davidson (149, No. 6), Tanner Peake (157, No. 3), Bryce Sanderlin (165, No. 6), Jaden Hardrick (174, No. 5), Cameo Blankenship (184, No. 8), Gavin Henry (197, No. 7) and Jake Fernicola (HWT, No. 6).
Mosley, Zach Price (141) and Jha’Quan Anderson (184) are all No. 2 seeds in their respective weight classes for Gardner-Webb. The other Bulldogs that will be competing on Saturday are Drew West (125, No.4), Todd Carter (133, No. 4), Parker Corwin (149, No. 8), Tyler Brignola (157, No. 7), Andrew Wilson (174, No. 8), Sam Mora (197, No. 3) and Abraham Preston (HWT, No. 7).
Presbyterian will compete in its third conference championship, as the squad finished its fourth season as a member of the SoCon. Dominic Chavez received the highest seed for the Blue Hose as he is the No. 2 seed at 125 pounds.
Chattanooga secured one No. 1 seed, that being Rocky Jordan (174), entering the championship on Saturday. Noah Castillo (149) is a No. 2 seed and Waddell looks to follow his 2022 title at 197 pounds with a title at 184 as a No. 3 seed. Brayden Palmer (133) and Weston Wichman (165) are also No. 3 seeds for the Mocs. Franco Valdes (141), Lincoln Heck (157) and Logan Andrew (HWT) sit as No. 4 seeds for their matches, Logan Ashton (125) and Jake Boyd (197) are sixth and fifth seeds, respectively, in their weight classes.
VMI comes into the SoCon championship with three No. 4 seeds, Ryan Vigil (149) and Jon Hoover (174) and Tyler Mousaw (197). Job Chishko (157) and Braxton Lewis (165) are ranked fifth in their respective weight classes, while Freddy Junko (141) is a No. 6 seed. Tony Burke (125, No. 7), Dyson Dunham (133, No. 8) and Zach Brown (184, No. 7) are the remaining wrestlers for the Keydets.
Eight SoCon wrestling teams compete at the 2022 SoCon Wrestling Championships in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, March 4. A clear-bag policy will be in effect at the Holmes Convocation Center. The championship will be streamed in its entirety on ESPN+.
Seeds
125 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Caleb Smith, Appalachian State
#2 Dominic Chavez, Presbyterian
#3 Anthony Molton, Campbell
#4 Drew West, Gardner-Webb
#5 Blair Orr, The Citadel
#6 Logan Ashton, UTC
#7 Tony Burke, VMI
#8 Devon Diaco, Davidson
133 (2 NCAA allocations)
#1 Ethan Oakley, Appalachian State
#2 Dom Zaccone , Campbell
#3 Brayden Palmer, UTC
#4 Todd Carter, Gardner-Webb
#5 George Rosas, The Citadel
#6 Jackson Sichelstiel, Davidson
#7 Jake Brasseur, Presbyterian
#8 Dyson Dunham, VMI
141 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Shannon Hanna, Campbell
#2 Zach Price, Gardner-Webb
#3 Heath Gonyer, Appalachian State
#4 Franco Valdes, UTC
#5 Jacob Silka, The Citadel
#6 Freddy Junko, VMI
#7 Trent Donahue, Presbyterian
#8 Josh Viarengo, Davidson
149 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Jonathan Miller, Appalachian State
#2 Noah Castillo, UTC
#3 Chris Rivera, Campbell
#4 Ryan Vigil, VMI
#5 Ethan Willis, The Citadel
#6 Noah Frack, Davidson
#7 Khalid Brinkley, Presbyterian
#8 Parker Corwin, Gardner-Webb
157 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Tommy Askey, Appalachian State
#2 Troy Nation, Campbell
#3 Tanner Peake, Davidson
#4 Lincoln Heck, UTC
#5 Job Chishko, VMI
#6 Anthony Allen, The Citadel
#7 Tyler Brignola, Gardner-Webb
#8 Michael Ramirez, Presbyterian
165 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Will Formato, Appalachian State
#2 RJ Mosley, Gardner-Webb
#3 Weston Wichman, UTC
#4 Dom Baker, Campbell
#5 Braxton Lewis, VMI
#6 Bryce Sanderlin, Davidson
#7 Tyler Chittum, Presbyterian
#8 Brodie Porter, The Citadel
174 (2 NCAA allocations)
#1 Rocky Jordan, UTC
#2 Will Miller, Appalachian State
#3 Ben Haubert, The Citadel
#4 Jon Hoover, VMI
#5 Jaden Hardrick, Davidson
#6 Cole Rees, Campbell
#7 Zach Wells, Presbyterian
#8 Andrew Wilson, Gardner-Webb
184 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Caleb Hopkins, Campbell
#2 Jha’Quan Anderson, Gardner-Webb
#3 Matthew Waddell, UTC
#4 Cordel Duhart, Presbyterian
#5 Luke Uliano, Appalachian State
#6 Tim Fitzpatrick, The Citadel
#7 Zach Brown, VMI
#8 Cameo Blankenship, Davidson
197 (1 NCAA allocation)
#1 Levi Hopkins, Campbell
#2 Carson Floyd, Appalachian State
#3 Sam Mora, Gardner-Webb
#4 Tyler Mousaw, VMI
#5 Jake Boyd, UTC
#6 Malcolm Wiley, Presbyterian
#7 Gavin Henry, Davidson
#8 Mark Chaid, The Citadel
285 (1 NCAA allocations)
#1 Taye Ghadiali, Campbell
#2 Jonathan Chesser, The Citadel
#3 Jacob Sartorio, Appalachian State
#4 Logan Andrew, UTC
#5 Josh Evans, VMI
#6 Jake Fernicola, Davidson
#7 Abraham Preston, Gardner-Webb
#8 Morvens Saint Jean, Presbyterian