2023-24 SoCon Preview (Part Two)

The season kicks off tonight, November 1 at The Battle at Liberty - hosted by Campbell University, streaming on UFC Fight Pass. 

Campbell University

The Camels are coming into the ’23-’24 season with a bang - kicking off their dual season with The Battle at Liberty, where they’ll face off against Army. They’ll also likely settle the debate of “who’s America’s team?” In the SoCon preseason poll - five returning members were named to the all-conference team, Shannon Hanna (141), Austin Murphy (174), brothers Caleb (184) and Levi Hopkins (197), and heavyweight Taye Ghadiali, with the program coming out on top in the preseason poll. This schedule is absolutely stacked this season - the Camels head out West to Wyoming where they’ll actually wrestle in a barn. The Fighting Camel Duals will take place in December, where Gore Arena will be host to Purdue, Stanford, and North Dakota State’s programs for an action-packed day of duals. It’ll be a fierce Fight Pass Friday in February when App State travels to The Creek for a dual meet. This conference rivalry has been so fun to watch develop and continue - the wrestling keeps getting better and the energy between these two fan bases is unmatched. The Fighting Camels will also host conference foes Chattanooga to cap off their home dual series. This lineup (if we’re looking at returning starters) is filled with well-seasoned competitors, it’ll be exciting to see how this more mature team matches up with the younger rosters in the 

conference. 

Preseason rankings:

133: Domenic Zaccone (12)

141: Shannon Hanna (23)

174: Austin Murphy (30)

184: Caleb Hopkins (20)

197: Levi Hopkins (27)

HWT: Taye Ghadiali (15)

VMI 

Wrestle-offs, intrasquad matches, whichever you prefer to call them, used to be more low-key events. Programs like VMI have gotten creative, hosting their intrasquad match in the barracks. The Keydets are headed into the ’23-’24 season following a 9-8 season, with a 2-6 conference record, picking up victories against Presbyterian and Davidson. Home duals begin at Cormack Hall in November against Limestone and Marymount - DII and DIII program, and will kick off conference competition in January, hosting Chattanooga. The Keydets will see upperweight stars Tyler Mousaw and Josh Evans return to the mat this season, alongside SoCon placewinners Braxton Lewis and Ryan Vigil. Both were freshmen in 2022-23. A crowd favorite is the rivalry between VMI and The Citadel - which will be held in Charleston this year. The Keydets will also be in attendance at the Soldier Salute, hosted by the University of Iowa. 

Preseason rankings:

None

Gardner-Webb

The Runnin’ Bulldogs kick off their season hosting Kent State and Ohio University, the conference season will begin for them in February, when the Chattanooga Mocs travel to Boiling Springs for a SoCon showdown. Gardner-Webb will also host Davidson, The Citadel, and will round off their hosting duties for the season with a dual against VMI. Returning to the mat this season, we’ll see Jha’Quan Anderson (184) and Zach Price (141), who ended their seasons with second-place finishes at the conference tournament, Anderson making his second appearance at the NCAA Championships via an at-large bid. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had a 4-4 conference record last season, clinching victories against Bellarmine, The Citadel, VMI, and Davidson, and will look to avenge last season’s losses to Chattanooga and Presbyterian. 

Preseason rankings:

133: Todd Carter (33)

184: Jha’Quan Anderson (32)

The Citadel

We’ve talked about the Runnin’ Bulldogs, now it’s time to talk about The Bulldogs of The Citadel. Finishing off the ’22-23 season with an overall 7-5 record, and a 3-5 conference record, The Citadel picked up wins over Presbyterian, Davidson, and military academy rivals VMI. Returning stars include Ben Haubert (165) and John Chesser (HWT), following third-place finishes at the conference tournament. The Bulldogs will host four conference duals this season: a military matchup against VMI, Bellarmine, Davidson, and Presbyterian. 

Preseason rankings:

None

Presbyterian

Presbyterian will enter their fifth season led by Dominic Chavez (125), selected for the preseason All-SoCon team. Chavez made history for the Blue Hose last season, becoming the first finalist in program history. He finished the season as Southern Conference runner-up at 125, but is on top at the beginning of the ’23-’24 campaign. The Blue Hose are slated to be featured at The Battle at Liberty, wrestling against NC State following the Campbell vs Army dual. Presbyterian picked up their sole conference win last season against Gardner-Webb, besting the Runnin’ Bulldogs 19-18. That rematch will take place in Blue Hose territory this season. 

Preseason rankings:

None