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    Soto named head coach at St. Andrews University

    LAURINBURG, N.C. -- St. Andrews University has hired Nicholas (Nick) Soto to be the new Head Coach of the Men's Wrestling team. The Spring Hill, Florida native will start coaching the Knights wrestling team this upcoming season.

    Nick Soto
    Soto comes to us after coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Seton Hill University. Soto also has experience coaching in high school, where he helped Cleveland High School (who became State Champions), Jesuit High School and Springstead High School.

    Soto attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was a decorated wrestler. While at Chattanooga, Soto was a four-time NCAA Qualifier and four-time SoCon Champion. Soto was ranked in the top 15 every year and was undefeated in conference competitions in his four years at Chattanooga.

    Soto is fourth on UTC's All-time Win's list. He's a Reno Tournament of Champions winner, a Southern Scuffle finalist and multiple time place winner, and a Hokie Open Champion and multiple time place winner.

    In high school, Soto was an NHSCA three-time All American, a two-time Florida State Champion and a three-time place winner. Soto's high school team at Springstead High School was the first athletic team in their county to win a state title.

    Soto graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor's in business administration in 2015. While at Chattanooga, Soto was a continuous member of the Dean's List and Athletic Director's List.

    Nick Soto comes to St. Andrews to fill in for long-time head wrestling coach, Joe Baranik. Baranik led the Knights wrestling team for 13 plus years, and he took special pride in re-starting the wrestling program at St. Andrews after a 36-year hiatus.

    Baranik developed three All-Americans and 52 athletes with academic honors. Coach Baranik said his 2009-2010 season was one of the most memorable. The Knights qualified seven individuals to Nationals, and they placed 21st. Baranik also enjoyed coaching his son, Troy, for four years.

    Baranik on leaving the St. Andrews Wrestling program: "It is hard to leave the kids I recruited, but the athletic department has made a great hire in Nick Soto. I appreciate SAU in giving me the opportunity for my first head coaching job on the collegiate level. I also want to thank my wife and daughter for attending all the home matches and giving me and the Knights their full support."

    About St. Andrews University
    St. Andrews University is a branch of Webber International University located in Laurinburg, NC. The University's mission is to offer students an array of business, liberal arts and sciences, and pre-professional programs of study that create a life transforming educational opportunity which is practical in its application, global in its scope, and multi-disciplinary in its general education core. Students will acquire depth of knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of study, balanced by breadth of knowledge across various disciplines, while pursuing a degree at associate, bachelor, or master level. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing oral and written communication, and critical thinking skills. The international quality of the student body enriches personal experience and promotes understanding of international cultures and influences. Through an atmosphere in which self-discipline, creativity and cultivation of ethical standards are enhanced, the University is dedicated to teaching its students the "how to learn, how to think, and how to apply method" to each new challenge.

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