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    Blevins named SoCon Wrestler of the Year

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Appalachian State University wrestling led all conference schools with four all-conference selections, as the Southern Conference postseason awards were announced by the league office on Tuesday. ASU’s selections were highlighted by SoCon Wrestler of the Year Kyle Blevins (Sapulpa, Okla./Sapulpa).

    Blevins, wrestling at 165 pounds, was voted Wrestler of the Year after compiling a 33-5 overall mark and a perfect 6-0 record in conference dual matches. The senior has ascended to No. 15 nationally in the latest InterMat Wrestling national rankings and has recorded four victories by fall this season.

    After winning its first regular season championship since 2003, Appalachian State placed a league-high four wrestlers on the all-conference team. Blevins was the coaches’ choice at 165 pounds, and he was joined by fellow seniors Mike Kessler (Bay City, Mich./Western) (141 pounds), Savva Kostis (Boone, N.C./Watauga) (149) and Austin Trotman (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor) (184).

    Kessler’s final season is highlighted by a 6-0 league record and a 30-11 overall mark. He leads the team with 21 wins by decision and has picked up four pins. Kessler finished the regular season with the 15th-best RPI Rank in the country and was slotted No. 26 in the NCAA coaches’ rank.

    Kostis went 11-4 in dual action, including 4-1 against SoCon foes. He leads the Apps with 10 major decisions on the season, and his 81 career wins are 12th-most in ASU history.

    Trotman, ranked No. 12 in the latest InterMat rankings, was slotted No. 11 by the nation’s coaches and scored his class’s No. 7 RPI rank at the end of the regular season. The two-time defending SoCon chamion is 31-4 on the year, including 15-1 in duals while 6-0 in the SoCon. Trotman’s all-conference is the third of his career.

    Defending tournament champion Chattanooga and this year’s third-place finisher, The Citadel, completed the remainder of the all-conference team with three wrestlers each.

    The league’s head coaches also selected a 10-wrestler all-freshman team. Mountaineer Paul Weiss (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) was selected to the squad after posting a 5-1 record in SoCon action with a 16-13 overall record, including 10-6 in all duals.

    SoCon wrestling newcomer Campbell earned half of the spots on the squad as five Fighting Camels earned distinction.

    Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own wrestlers.

    The 2012 Southern Conference Wrestling Championships, the 75th annual gathering of the league’s wrestling teams, will take place on Sat., March 3 at Chattanooga’s McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn. First round matches will begin at 10 a.m., with the finals slated to start at 6:30 p.m.

    2012 SoCon Wrestling All-Conference Team
    125: Manuel Ramirez*, Sr., Chattanooga
    133: Nick Soto, Fr., Chattanooga
    141: Mike Kessler, Sr., Appalachian State
    149: Savva Kostis*, Sr., Appalachian State
    157: Dan Waddell*, Sr., Chattanooga
    165: Kyle Blevins, Sr., Appalachian State
    174: Turtogtokh Luvsandorj*, Jr., The Citadel
    184: Austin Trotman#, Sr., Appalachian State
    197: Kelby Smith, Sr., The Citadel
    285: Odie Delaney*, Jr., The Citadel

    * - Two-time All-Conference
    # - Three-time All-Conference

    Wrestler of the Year
    Kyle Blevins, 165, Sr., Appalachian State

    2012 SoCon Wrestling All-Freshman Team
    Paul Weiss, Appalachian State
    James Cook, Campbell
    Mark Hartenstine, Campbell
    Ryan Krecker, Campbell
    Joe Nolan, Campbell
    Joey Rizzolino, Campbell
    Kevin Malone, Chattanooga
    Nick Soto, Chattanooga
    Kyle Casaletto, The Citadel
    Anthony Elias, Davidson

    Freshman of the Year
    Nick Soto, 133, Chattanooga

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