2023-24 SoCon Preview (Part One)

It’s that time of year again - the air gets colder, the leaves change color, and wrestling mats are rolled out. We’re about to dive into four of the schools in the Southern Conference. Last season, Appalachian State clinched another conference title, followed by Campbell then Chattanooga. 

Appalachian State

Appalachian State returns starters at seven out of ten weights this year, following an undefeated conference season. The Mountaineers were 12-2 overall, recording losses to ACC foes NC State and Virginia Tech. Returning starters include national qualifier Ethan Oakley (133), reigning conference champion Tommy Askey (157), and runner-up Will Miller (174). Who can we hope to see step back out on the mat this season? None other than Sean Carter (133) who was faced with a season-ending injury during the Virginia Tech dual. Sophomore Carson Floyd (197) is another familiar face to look out for. As a freshman, he held a 24-9 record (7-1 in conference), was the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, and a conference finalist. 

Varsity Gym will be home to four conference duals (The Citadel, VMI, Bellarmine*, Gardner-Webb), and will yet again host the Southern Conference Championship in Holmes Convocation Center on March 9. 

Another matchup you won’t want to miss? The first-ever showdown between App State and Cornell will take place in Boonetown on February 18 after the Bellarmine dual. Newly-minted assistant coach Hunter Richard, a Cornell alumnus, joins JohnMark Bentley’s coaching staff alongside returning assistants Jarrod Patterson and Randall Diabe. 

Preseason rankings: 

133 - Sean Carter (12)

149 - Cody Bond (26)

157 - Tommy Askey (19)

197 - Carson Floyd (31)

Davidson

The Davidson Wildcats return this season with a new look and a new room, following rebranding and renovations to the wrestling facility unveiled in September. Nate Carr, Jr. will start his second year at the helm, alongside assistants Ty Eustice and Marcus Coleman. The ‘Cats finished their ’22-’23 campaign with a 1-7 conference record and 2-11 overall, recording wins over Presbyterian College (SoCon) and Queens University of Charlotte. Tanner Peake (157) returns to the mat this season, following a 15-4 record between 157 and 165-lb weight classes. Peake broke the mold when he became Davidson’s first conference finalist since 2019 - four years may not seem like long, but it’s a milestone nonetheless. Incoming freshmen to watch out for? At 141 lbs, we’ve got 5A Georgia state champ Tyler McKnight, 149 lbs, 3A North Carolina state champion Brock Carey, and at heavyweight, 2A North Carolina state champ DJ Spring II. Carr and company head home to Ames, Iowa where they’ll wrestle Iowa State on November 12. Notable duals for Davidson include: a home opener against Duke on December 8, and rematches against Bellarmine* (Feb 2) and The Citadel (Feb 11), hopeful to avenge last season’s losses against these programs. 

Preseason rankings:

None ranked

Chattanooga

Chattanooga returns after a third-place season finish, where we should see four starters head back to the mat. National qualifier Brayden Palmer (133) will enter his third season with the Mocs, following a 22-8 season, where he had some stiff competition - beating Ramazan Attasauov (Iowa State) in the Southern Scuffle, and Joe Hellmann (Rutgers) in the first round of the national tournament. Noah Castillo (149) will be a top contender in the bracket as well, with his lone conference loss last season coming from Jon Jon Millner (App State). Others returning to the lineup this season include Logan Ashton (125), Lincoln Heck (157), and heavyweight Logan Andrew. 

The Mocs will open their season at home against Little Rock on December 16, with four conference home duals to follow (Davidson, The Citadel, Presbyterian, App State). As always, the Southern Scuffle will take place on January 1st and 2nd, the best way to kick off the New Year, in my professional opinion. Last but certainly not least, head coach Kyle Ruschell and assistant Kyle Massey welcome Devin Skatzka to the coaching staff. Skatzka comes to Chattanooga after coaching with Cornell for the past three years. Prior to that, he wrestled at Indiana and Minnesota, finishing his career with 102 career wins, four national tournament appearances and earned All-America status at 174. 

Preseason rankings:

133 - Brayden Palmer (10)

149 - Noah Castillo (33)

Bellarmine 

The Knights had a phenomenal ’22-’23 campaign - 12-4 overall dual record, 4-4 in conference duals, and a first-place finish at the NCWA Championships. While Bellarmine is still unable to compete for the conference championship or send qualifiers to the NCAA Championships, the Knights are setting themselves up for success as they continue to transition into Division I competition. Bellarmine is set to host six events this season, which include four conference duals and the NCWA regional tournament in March. The Knights picked up conference wins against Davidson, VMI, The Citadel, and Presbyterian last season, much improved from ’21-’22’s lone conference win over Presbyterian College. 

Who should we watch this season? Well, I’m glad you asked. Jack Parker (125), Zac Cowan (149), Cole Nance (165) and Devan Hendricks (174) are all returning NCWA national champions. Heavyweight Thadd Huff, an NCWA runner-up, will also return this season. It’s pretty cool to watch schools improve and prepare for the transition to Division I competition. Other schools we’ll be on the lookout for as well include Lindenwood and Queens University of Charlotte. It’s awesome to get to grow the sport!

*Bellarmine still is unable to compete for a conference championship or send qualifiers to NCAA Championships during their transition to Division I.