FULL MEET RESULTS | THE CITADEL RESULTS

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Citadel wrestling team completed its first tournament of the season at the Southeast Open, led by four top-six finishes on Sunday.

Sawyer Root had the top finish of all Bulldogs on the day, finishing fourth place in the 197-lb weight class. Root opened the tournament with a 7-4 decision over rival Chattanooga's DJ Smith. The sophomore advanced to the semifinals after grabbing an 8-5 decision over North Carolina's Danny Chaid in the quarterfinals. Root finished his day with two major decision losses to take fourth.

Ty Buckiso picked up four victories in six matches to place sixth in the 149-lb weight class. Buckiso opened the tournament with a 16-0 technical fall over Duke's Joey Abbate. The junior advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 decision over Jesse Rodgers of Rider. After a loss, Buckiso picked up two more victories to advance to the fifth place match. There he fell in a 7-3 decision against Princeton's Jordan Laster to place sixth.

In the freshman/sophomore bracket, The Citadel had two placers in freshmen Michael McAleavey and Douglas Gudenburr. McAleavey came back from a first round loss to win five straight matches to claim fifth place in the heavyweight division. The freshman had back-to-back sudden victories in the final two rounds defeating Notre Dame's Couvoisier Morrow 3-1 and NC State's Michael Rogers 6-4 in the fifth place match.

Gudenburr also rebounded after a first round loss, needing six straight victories to reach the fifth place match. The freshman finished with two pins, three decisions and win by forfeit in the six matches before falling by a 5-1 decision in the fifth place match.

Rian Burris began his collegiate career with back-to-back 16-0 technical falls to advance to the quarterfinals at 149 pounds in the freshman/sophomore bracket. After dropping the match in a 4-0 decision, Burris defeated North Carolina's Sawyer Davidson by major decision 16-6. In the consolation semifinals, Burris fell to Pennsylvania's Jon Errico by a 6-4 decision.

Joe Bexley opened the tournament in the heavyweight division with two wins to advance to the quarterfinals. He defeated Brewton-Parker's Mashawn Knight by technical fall 16-1 and Old Dominion's Ali Wahab 18-4 before dropping his final two matches.

Patrick Kearney, Andrew Clayton and Russ Hill each added victories for the Bulldogs.

The Citadel will host its first dual of the season on Wednesday against Coker College. First match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at McAlister Field House.

For more information on The Citadel wrestling follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.