Jan. 3, 2003

Charleston, SC - Sophomore Sean Markey led The Citadel wrestling team through a successful Christmas furlough as the Bulldogs competed in the "Beast of the East" and Midlands Tournaments.

Markey, the 19th ranked wrestler in the country at 133 pounds helped The Citadel to fourth place out of 15 at the "Beast of the East" Tourney finishing behind Rider, Ohio University and Buffalo.

"We are to the point where we can compete against some good teams and that was evident over the holidays," Citadel coach Rob Hjerling stated. "However every wrestler on our team could have had a better tournament."

Markey finished the tourney with a 3-1 record and lost to nationally ranked Anthony Carrizales of Ohio University. The appearance in the finals for Markey is his fourth in as many tournaments.

"Sean is not real happy with losing in the finals," Hjerling continued. "He has had better days and this tournament will help him in his training for the end of the year."

On the tourney the Bulldogs had eight wrestlers place in the top six including 125-pounder Ryan McClester who finished third.

"Ryan is becoming a more consistent wrestler as the year progresses and this was a good showing for him," Hjerling added. "Our coaching staff and Ryan fell like this was a good learning experience and that he needs to keep improving."

Markey and McClester participated in the Midlands Championships. The Midlands tournament is known nationally as one of the toughest competitions in the country.

McClester went 0-2 at the tournament with losses to Smith of Penn State and Hofstra's Flynn. Markey went 3-2 with two pins and a major decision. He won his first match by fall against Andy Thompson (Montana State Northern) but lost in the Championship third round by fall to #7 ranked Josh Moore (Penn State). He won the by major decision, 10-2, over #9 ranked Urijah Faber (Cal Davis) in his first consolation match and pinned Iowa's Trent Goodale in 1:29 in his second. He lost his next match by pin to Marat Tomaev (Penn State).

"Sean had a very good showing at the Midlands and beat some good wrestlers," Hjerling praised. "He is going to keep working so that he will be ready for the postseason."

The Bulldogs return to action on January 8th as they host Campbell University in a dual match at 6 pm in McAlister Field House.

"Beast of the East" Team Scores:1) Rider (145.0)2) Ohio University (119.5)3) Buffalo (99.0)4) The Citadel (95.5)5) Bloomsburg (83.0)6) Virginia (64.0)7) Drexel (46.5)8) Old Dominion (39.0)9) Delaware State (28.5)10) George Mason (27.0)11) Binghamton (24.0)12) U. of Delaware (23.0)13) Wagner (12.5)14) Duke (11.5)15) Princeton (4.0)