Oct. 6, 2003

Charleston, SC - The Citadel wrestling team has five members of the 2003-04 squad ranked nationally in various preseason publications. Juniors Keith Clifton, Sean Markey, Ryan McClester and Billy Linane were recognized by The Amateur Wrestling News, while senior Jordan Everett, along with Markey and McClester, were ranked by The Wrestling Mall News.

Clifton, the returning Southern Conference Champion at 174 pounds, is ranked 20th by The Amatuer Wrestling News, while heavy weight Linane, who won the SoCon title at his respective weight class, is marked as 18th. Both Markey and McClester, who were both SoCon runners up at 133 and 125 pounds, respectively, are ranked 12th by the publication.

The Wrestling Mall News, which has McClester ranked as high as 10th and Markey tabbed 18th, has Everett marked as the 19th best grappler in the 197 pound weight class.

These individual rankings are not the only national rankings The Citadel has received this year. Earlier this summer, the Bulldogs' 2003-04 recruiting class was tabbed as the 16th best recruiting class in the country.

The Citadel grapplers take it the mat on November 8 in the West Virginia Open. The Bulldogs first home match is slated for December 2 against Davidson at 7:00 pm in McAlister Field House.