CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel wrestling team returns to play in the new year in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the 2018 Southern Scuffle, presented by Compound Sportswear, on Jan. 1-2.
 
Joining the Bulldogs in McKenzie Arena are 26 teams, including eight of the nation's top-25 ranked members. No. 1 Penn State leads the group followed by No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 5 N.C. State, No. 6 Lehigh, No. 10 Virginia Tech, No. 14 Northern Iowa, No. 20 Lock Haven and No. 24 North Carolina.
 
The Bulldogs (1-4) will also compete alongside three Southern Conference members, including the reigning conference champions Campbell, Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb.
 
Most recently, the Bulldogs competed in the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 17 where junior Sawyer Root earned four wins and reached the 197-pound semifinal consolation bracket where he fell by a pin to Oklahoma State's Andrew Marsden in 2:01. Senior Ty Buckiso earned the second-most victories for the Bulldogs with three wins before dropping the quarterfinal match in the 149-lb. weight class to Campbell's Josh Heil by a 4:42 fall.
 
The Southern Scuffle is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Daily admission is $35 for reserved seats, $20 for general admission and $10 for youth general admission. Every match can be followed via FloWrestling, live stats are available through FloArena and full tournament results will be available at CitadelSports.com.
 
For more information on The Citadel wrestling follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.