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    Four UNCG wrestlers earn automatic bids to NCAAs

    BOONE, N.C. -- Manny Ramirez, No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski, Caylor Williams, and Peter Sturgeon earned a trip to the NCAA tournament after their showing at the Southern Conference Championships in Boone, N.C. on Saturday.

    Chattanooga denied UNCG of repeating as Southern Conference tournament champions as it claimed its 25th SoCon Wrestling Championship and its sixth in seven years by defeating UNCG by 10.5 points, 98-87.5.

    Ramirez (125 pounds) earned a first-round bye after an impressive 4-1 record in the SoCon slate. He eased into the finals of the weight class after a medical forfeit from Richard Alacron of The Citadel. Ramirez didn't miss a beat after the long break as he handled Prescott Garner of Chattanooga, 16-7, to claim the 125-pound crown.

    Jamel Johnson (133) scored a major decision, 14-6, over Tyler Sim of The Citadel in his first bout to advance to the final round. Unfortunately, Demetrius Johnson of Chattanooga denied Johnson of the automatic bid as he bested Johnson, 6-1.

    At 141 pounds, Michael Crowley lost a thriller, 2-0, to Mike Kessler of Appalachian State to drop to the consolation bracket. Again, Crowley lost a close one as David Yost of VMI one upped him, 4-3, to eliminate Crowley in the fourth overtime.

    Lopouchanski continued his magnificent season as he scored a second period pin over Derek Royster of The Citadel at the 4:13 mark. Dean Pavlou of Chattanooga put up a challenge, but Lopouchanski resisted as he claimed the 149-pound crown with a 7-5 victory.

    Justin Rice (157) finished third in his weight class after scoring a 11-4 victory over hometown favorite John Blakely.

    At 165 pounds, Brett Miller only needed four minutes and 57 seconds to score a technical fall, 16-0, over Ted Gottwald of VMI. However, Miller dropped his last two matches, including a heartbreaker to Dan Waddell of Chattanooga, 3-2, in the match for third place.

    Senior Byron Sigmon quickly pinned Christopher Cirenza after 106 seconds of wrestling to advance to the semifinals. Sigmon scored a 5-2 victory over J.C. Oddo of The Citadel to advance the finals. No. 1 seed Brandon Wright of Chattanooga defeated Sigmon, 6-4, in the finals to reject Sigmon of advancing to the NCAA's for the second straight year.

    At 184 pounds, Elijah Adams was pinned by Justin Sparrow of The Citadel in the third place bout.

    Freshman of the Year Caylor Williams defeated Niko Brown of Chattanooga, 3-2, in the finals to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

    At heavyweight, Peter Sturgeon lost to Josh Wine of VMI in the finals. However, Sturgeon recovered in the true second place match to earn the 13th bid that the SoCon offered into the NCAA tournament.

    The NCAA tournament starts in 12 days, March 17, in Philadelphia, Pa, where the four Spartans will continue their quest to a national championship.

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