Takedown Report

2023 SoCon Championships Preview & Pre-Seeds

2023 SoCon Conference Preview

12 total allocations/25 in 2022

When: Saturday

Where: Boone, North Carolina (Appalachian State University)

How to Watch:ESPN+

Over the past decade, one of the most competitive conference tournaments, from a team standpoint, has been the SoCon. Five times in the last ten years the top-two squads in the team race have finished within six points of each other. The 2022 edition of the SoCon Championships was one of those occasions as Campbell edged Appalachian State (100.5 to 95) to claim their fourth consecutive SoCon title. Can the Camels make it five? As has been the case in each of those four previous tournaments, the Mountaineers have an imposing team and are capable of winning it all. Appalachian State posted a perfect dual record this year with a 22-14 win over Campbell accounting for the only time that a SoCon team posted double-digits in team points against them. Campbell is battle-tested with their tough dual schedule and a history of recent success at this tournament. Also in the mix is Chattanooga. Though it doesn’t appear that the Mocs have the firepower to unseat either of the top-two teams, they are a talented group that looks secure in third place.

In addition to watching out for an exciting team race, there are some excellent individuals to watch. Jonathan Millner will be wrestling in his final conference tournament and has the opportunity to go down as one of the best wrestlers in SoCon history.

The SoCon was hurt on conference allocation release day, as they were only earmarked for 12 total allocations, across ten weights. That’s something that should rise as the young teams in the league improve. But for Saturday, it should make for intense competition as NCAA qualifying slots will be highly-coveted and rare.

Below is our weight-by-weight preview of the action, along with predictions for top-four finishers at all ten weights and a team race projection. Wrestlers bolded are the ones we have pegged to receive automatic qualifying bids at their respective weight classes.

125 lbs

(1 allocation)

It surprised me slightly when allocations were released and the SoCon only received one slot at 125 lbs. The favorite will be #14 Caleb Smith (Appalachian State), a 2022 NCAA qualifier, who has had an excellent season. Smith hasn’t tasted defeat since he finished fifth at the Southern Scuffle. Last year, Smith needed an at-large berth to get to Detroit. He’s hoping that isn’t the case this time…. rest of story at Intermatwrestle.com/articles/=Wrestling+News

Southern Conference announces seeding for 2023 Wrestling Championship

Eight teams set to compete for the championship crown on Saturday

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 … rest of story at SOconsports.com/news/2023/3/1/southern-conference-announces-seeding-for-2023-wrestling-championship

March 2, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized