CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel Bulldogs will try to flip the script on the 2018 season on Saturday when the Bulldogs compete in and host the 2018 SoCon Wrestling Championships in McAlister Field House.
 
SOCON WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

A season filled with injuries at inopportune times has hampered the Bulldogs in 2018, but with almost two weeks off since their last action on the mat, the Bulldogs have had at least a little chance to heal and take their shots at a SoCon title and potential berth in the NCAA Championships later this month.
 
Senior Ty Buckiso will take his final shot at SoCon title and try to keep his season alive at 149 lbs. Banged up to close out SoCon play, Buckiso was just 2-3 in league play but 18-10 overall and has a chance to make a run on Saturday.
 
Juniors Sawyer Root at 197 and Doug Gudenburr at 141 are also hopeful to make noise. Root was one of the top Bulldogs all season, finishing 19-12 overall and 4-2 in league play, losing a tight decision in the regular season finale against App State. Gudenburr could make a push at 141. He was the lone Bulldog to win against App, spending his season bouncing back and forth from 141 and 149. He was 3-3 in league play.
 
Michael McAleavey had The Citadel's best SoCon record at 5-1, missing the meet against SIUE in the league opener, and losing only to top-seeded Jere Heino of Campbell. He'll likely be seeded in the middle of the pack, but could wrestle late into Saturday as he's improved throughout the season.
 
Freshman Ryan Burris will also get his first taste of postseason action at 157, trying to bounce back from a late-season injury after a promising freshman season.
 
Tickets for Saturday's action, which begins at 10 a.m., will be single-session. Doors open at 9 a.m.
 
Prices are $15 for adults, $10 for youth (6-12) and $8 each for groups of 10 or more. Students from Southern Conference schools, including wrestling associate member schools, can pick up a ticket free of charge simply by showing their school IDs.
 
As part of its partnership with Headlock on Hunger, the SoCon will offer $3 off the ticket price with the donation of a food item at the door.
 
2018 Southern Conference Wrestling Championship Schedule
9 a.m. – Doors open
10 a.m. – First-round matches
12 p.m. – Semifinals
2 p.m. – Consolation quarterfinals (consolation semifinals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. – Consolation finals
7 p.m. – Finals, true-place matches and award presentation
 
Seeds
125 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Korbin Meink, Campbell
2. Zac Gentzler, SIUE
3. Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga
4. Cliff Conway, VMI
5. De'Andre Swinson-Barr, Appalachian State
6. Michael McClelland, Davidson
7. Will Jacobs, The Citadel
8. No entry, Gardner-Webb
 
133 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. John Muldoon, SIUE
2. Codi Russell, Appalachian State
3. Chris Debien, Chattanooga
4. Philip Anderson, Gardner-Webb
5. Nathan Boston, Campbell
6. Hunter Starner, VMI
7. Patrick Kearney, The Citadel
8. Zamir Ode, Davidson
 
141 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Mike Pongracz, Chattanooga
2. Jonathan Ryan, Campbell
3. Douglas Gudenburr, The Citadel
4. Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State
5. Dakota Leach, SIUE
6. Dustin Runzo, Davidson
7. Denton Spencer, Gardner-Webb
8. Michael Hulcher, VMI
 
149 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Gavin Londoff, Appalachian State
2. Zach Barnes, Campbell
3. Tyshawn Williams, SIUE
4. Ty Buckiso, The Citadel
5. Roman Boylen, Chattanooga
6. Joby Armenta, Gardner-Webb
7. Aiden Conroy, Davidson
8. Will Lawrence, VMI
 
157 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Angel Najar, Appalachian State
2. Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb
3. Austin Kraisser, Campbell
4. Jake Adcock, Chattanooga
5. Karsten Van Velsor, SIUE
6. Rian Burris, The Citadel
7. Tony Palumbo, Davidson
8. Steve Midkiff, VMI
 
165 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Nate Higgins, SIUE
2. Chad Pyke, Chattanooga
3. Quentin Perez, Campbell
4. Brett Stein, Gardner-Webb
5. Blake Hohman, VMI
6. Laken Cook, Appalachian State
7. Hunter Costa, Davidson
8. Houston Curtis, The Citadel
 
174 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Forrest Przybysz, Appalachian State
2. Justin Lampe, Chattanooga
3. Andrew Morgan, Campbell
4. Christian Maroni, Gardner-Webb
5. Bryce Shewan, SIUE
6. Cade Kiely, VMI
7. Noah Satterfield, Davidson
8. Matt McGillick, The Citadel
 
184 (2 NCAA allocations)
1. Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
2. Alan Clothier, Appalachian State
3. Luke Funck, Campbell
4. Cole Graves, Gardner-Webb
5. Conor Fenn, Davidson
6. Chris Beck, VMI
7. Jake Godinez, SIUE
8. Michael Lopouchanski, The Citadel
 
197 (2 NCAA allocations)
1. Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
2. Scottie Boykin, Chattanooga
3. Christian Dulaney, SIUE
4. Sawyer Root, The Citadel
5. Anthony Perrine, Gardner-Webb
6. Chris Kober, Campbell
7. Konner Pritchard, Davidson
8. Jake Koch, VMI
 
285 (1 NCAA allocation)
1. Jere Heino, Campbell
2. Cary Miller, Appalachian State
3. Connor Tolley, Chattanooga
4. Michael McAleavey, The Citadel
5. Lathan Bumgarner, Gardner-Webb
6. Tommy Helton, SIUE
7. Jake Tomlinson, VMI
8. Will Cooley, Davidson
 
*Seeding subject to change following coaches meeting on Friday evening