Charleston, S.C. – The Citadel wrestling team will be represented by Odie Delaney, Turtogtokh Luvsandorj and Kelby Smith at the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships starting Thursday morning at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.                                   

Delaney, the 2009 SoCon champion at 197 pounds and 2010 champ at heavyweight, will make his second NCAA appearance as a heavyweight and third overall. Delaney was rarely challenged in his two matches at the SoCon championships, pinning No. 4 Joe Nolan of Campbell in 44 seconds in the semifinals and posting a 9-0 major decision in the final over No. 2 Kevin Malone of Chattanooga.

Luvsandorj, the 174-pound champion, will also be making his third NCAA Championships appearance. The junior qualified at 157 pounds as a freshman and at 165 pounds last season. Luvsandorj recorded decision victories over No. 4 Matthew Brock of VMI (7-1) and No. 3 James Cook of Campbell (2-1) to capture the 174-pound crown.

Smith will be making his first ever appearance at the NCAA Championships. The senior opened with a 12-3 major decision over No. 4 Niko Brown of Chattanooga in the semis and posted a 3-2 decision over Campbell's John Weakley in the final.

174 pounds
Turtogtokh Luvsandroj - NCAA PROFILE

• 29-9 overall record, 5-1 SoCon mark
• Named All-Southern Conference
• Faces No. 7 seed Jordan Blanton of Illinois (25-7), lost to Blanton at the Wrestle for a Cure Duals via fall at 4:35

197 pounds
Kelby Smith - NCAA PROFILE

• 34-8 overall record, 6-0 SoCon mark
• Posted an 11-match winning streak this season
• Faces James Nakashima of Nebraska (19-9) in opening match

285 pounds
Odie Delaney - NCAA PROFILE

• 26-2 overall record, 6-0 SoCon mark
• Ranked No. 14 nationally by InterMat
• Faces No. 8 seed Spencer Myers (22-5) of Maryland

For more information on Bulldog Wrestling, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com. 

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