General Information Location: Charleston, S.C. Founded: 1842 Enrollment: 1,964 Colors: Citadel Blue and White Affiliation: NCAA Division I Conference: Southern Nickname: Bulldogs, Cadets President: Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, Jr. Director of Athletics: Les Robinson Sr. Associate AD/Internal Affairs: Ray Whiteman Sr. Assoc. AD/External Affairs: Chuck Beddingfield Asst. AD/Sr. Woman Administrator: Kelly Simpson Assoc. AD/Communications: Andy Solomon Asst. AD/Compliance: Todd Lair Asst. AD/Event Management: Robby Bennett Asst. AD/Facilities: Mike Groshon Fac. Athletic Rep.: Lt. Col. William Sharbrough Director of Sports Medicine: Andy Clawson Business Manager: Lynn Meador Athletic Department: (843) 953-5070 Media Relations Director: Noelle Orr Assoc. Media Relations Director: Patrick Walsh Asst. Media Relations Director: Melanie Long Asst. Media Relations Director/Wrestling: Erik Bell Bell’s E-mail: erik.bell@citadel.edu Media Relations Office: (843) 953-5120 Media Relations Fax: (843) 953-5058 Website: www.CitadelSports.com Mailing Address: The Citadel 171 Moultrie Street Charleston, SC 29409
Coaching Staff Head Coach: Rob Hjerling (American ‘94) Hjerling’s Citadel record (years): 56-55-3 (eight) Hjerling’s overall record (years): Same Assistant Coaches: Jeff Ragan, Joe Privitere, Sean Markey Wrestling Office Phone: (843) 953-4865
Table of Contents Quick Facts: 1 Dan Thompson: 2 Record Book: 3 2006-07 Roster: 4 2006-07 Outlook: 5 2006-07 Opponents: 6-7 2006-07 Coaches: 8-9 2006-07 Bulldogs: 10-16 2005-06 Results: 17 Southern Conference: 18 2006 SoCon Tournament: 19-20 Facilities: 21 Administration: 22 The Citadel: 23-24 Team Information 2005-06 Record: 8-8 2005-06 SoCon Record: 3-2 (third place) 2006 SoCon Tournament Finish: Third Starters Returning/Lost: 4/6 Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/10 Key Returnees: Levi Duyn (149), Travis Piccard (157), Darius Caldwell (174), John Dickerson (184), John Buck (Hwt.) Top Newcomers: Tyler Sim (125), Matthew Leach (133), Derek Royster (141), Zachary Filter (165), Griffen Greene (197) Key Losses: Sean Markey (141), Dan Thompson (165), Mark Thompson (197) The 2006-07 Citadel Wrestling Media Guide was edited and written by Erik Bell using Adobe InDesign CS2 and Photoshop CS2. Photos are by The Citadel photographer Russ Pace. A special thanks to Noelle Orr, Patrick Walsh, Melanie Long, Al Buddin, Jamie Severns, The Citadel wrestling coaching staff and The Citadel Print Shop.
Dan Thompson’s Road to Bulldog History at the 2006 NCAA Championships Oklahoma City, Okla. The Citadel’s Dan Thompson completed the first day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 16 at the Ford Center. At 165 pounds, Thompson finished the day with two upsets under his belt as he defeated 10th ranked Patrick Pitsch of Arizona State in the first round with a 104 decision. In the second round, Thompson faced the No. 7 seeded Troy Letters - a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA Finalist, and 2004 NCAA Champion all at 165 pounds - from Lehigh. Letters, the 2005 third place finisher at 165, scored an early takedown, but Thompson reversed Letters and won by fall at 2:20 to advance to the quarterfinals. Thompson will move on to face second-seeded Johny Hendricks of Oklahoma State. Hendricks is the defending NCAA Champion at 165 pounds. Senior Dan Thompson became The Citadel’s first All-American wrestler on day two of the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Ford Center on March 17. At 165 pounds, Thompson started the day in the quarterfinals where he faced Oklahoma State’s second-seeded Johny Hendricks. Hendricks came away with a 9-6 decision to give the Bulldog his first loss of the tournament. Thompson dropped down to the consolation fifth round where he defeated ninth-seeded Michael Poeta from Illinois, 7-6. The victory over Poeta moved Thompson into the final eight and secured his All-American status. Thompson then moved on to the consolation sixth round where he faced his first non-seeded opponent in Edinboro’s Deonte Penn. The Bulldog ended up on the wrong end of a near cradle
and was pinned in the first round. The loss moved Thompson into the seventh-place match where he would face fellow All-American Eric Luedke of Iowa. “I am very, very happy for Dan,” said Citadel coach Rob Hjerling. “This is a great stepping stone for Citadel wrestling. Dan has accomplished a great feat for the program and for himself.” The Citadel’s Dan Thompson finished his college wrestling career with a victory as he won the seventh place match at the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18 at the Ford Center. Thompson earned the No. 7 spot at 165 pounds with an 8-3 decision over Iowa’s Eric Luedke. Luedke opened the match with a takedown but Thompson escaped to trail 2-1 after one frame. Thompson differed the choice in the second round to Luedke who chose to start on bottom. Luedke escaped to gain a 3-1 lead, but Thompson soon scored a takedown to even the match at 3-3. Thompson chose the defensive position to start the third period. The Bulldog escaped to gain a 43 lead with just over a minute remaining. With 20 seconds left in the match Luedke attempted a shot but Thompson countered to score a takedown and add two back points as time expired. Thompson’s effort was impressive enough to illicit a standing ovation from the Ford Center crowd of over 15,000.
SoCon Individual Champions 158-pound weight class 1976 - Mike Regner 1979 - Rich Boland 1986 - Clay Ogden 1988 - Clay Ogden
177-pound weight class 1984 - Robert Wyndham
147-pound weight class 1962 - Jeff Hartsell 1964 - Bruce Schwanda 1965 - Bruce Schwanda
160-pound weight class 1966 - Steve Rothstein 1967 - Steve Rothstein
190-pound weight class 1970 - Tom Williams 1994 - Vince Crum
149-pound weight class 2002 - Wayne Watts 2005 - Levi Duyn
165-pound weight class 1999 - Tim Ritchie 2006 - Dan Thompson
150-pound weight class 1979 - Walt Finger
167-pound weight class 1966 - Mike Armstrong 1967 - Mike Armstrong 1978 - Garth Hinckle 1983 - Eric Williams 1993 - Rob Reaves 1995 - Rob Reaves
Heavyweight 1980 - Chuck Pinta 1981 - Chuck Pinta 1982 - Chuck Pinta 1983 - Jim Ettari 2003 - Billy Linane 2004 - Billy Linane
123-pound weight class 1967 - Howard Metzgar 1968 - John Wood 1969 - John Wood
145-pound weight class 1966 - Ed Steers 1967 - Ed Steers 1968 - Ed Steers
125-pound weight class 2004 - Ryan McClester 126-pound weight class 1986 - Trey Bennett 1990 - John Jones 1993 - Allan Smith 130-pound weight class 1963 - Jose Barcelo 133-pound weight class 2005 - Ryan McClester 134-pound weight class 1982 - Fitz Johnson 1985 - Mitch Fuller 142-pound weight class 1970 - John Childress
152-pound weight class 1967 - Pat Conard 1969 - Tom Bull 157-pound weight class 1961 - Jeff Hartsell 2004 - Dan Thompson 2005 - Travis Piccard
184-pound weight class 2003 - Keith Clifton
174-pound weight class 2001 - Mike Regner II 2004 - Keith Clifton
The Citadel, SoCon and National Superlatives NCAA All-Americans 2006 - Dan Thompson Southern Conference Champions 1967 2004 SoCon Tournament Outstanding Wrestler 1961 - Jeff Hartsell 1962 - Jeff Hartsell 1963 - Jose Barcelo 1964 - Bruce Schwanda 1967 - Ed Steers 1969 - John Wood 1976 - Mike Regner 1988 - Clay Ogden
Clay Ogden
NWCA All-Academic Team 2001 - Jon Gross 2002 - Wayne Watts 2003 - Vince Bartges 2004 - Keith Clifton 2004 - Ryan McClester 2005 - Keith Clifton 2005 - Ryan McClester 2006 - Sean Markey 2006 - Mark Thompson
SoCon Coach of the Year 2004 - Rob Hjerling SoCon Wrestler of the Year 2004 - Ryan McClester 2006 - Sean Markey
The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame Jim Ettari ‘83* Jack Huddle ‘51* Bush Peebles ‘39* Mike Regner ‘76 Orville Rogers ‘38* Bruce Schwanda ‘65 Ed Steers ‘68 Cosmo Tocci ‘80* *Denotes multiple sport athlete
Sean Markey
Name David Acosta Michael Arias John Buck Billy Bullwinkel Matt Bullwinkel Darius Caldwell John Dickerson Levi Duyn Anthony Easter Mike Fenton Zachary Filter Griffen Greene Charlie Hopkins Matthew Leach Travis Piccard Derek Royster Tyler Sim
Ht. 5-7 5-5 5-9 5-7 5-5 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-4 5-8 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-4 5-7 5-6 5-6
125 Charlie Hopkins Tyler Sim
133 Billy Bullwinkel Anthony Easter Mike Fenton Matthew Leach
165 Zachary Filter
174 Darius Caldwell
Wt. Class 141 141 285 133 141 174 184 149 133 133 165 197 125 133 157 141 125
Year R-Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-So. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Jr. So. So. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr.
Hometown Simpsonville, S.C. Okmulgee, Okla. Fairview, N.C. Port Richey, Fla. Port Richey, Fla. Swansea, S.C. Eaton Rapids, Mich. Venice, Fla. Nitro, W.Va. White Marsh, Md. Matthews, N.C. Sylvania, Ga. Columbia, S.C. Greenville, S.C. Allendale, Mich. Woodruff, S.C. Washington, Pa.
By Weight Class 141 David Acosta Michael Arias Matt Bullwinkel Derek Royster
149 Levi Duyn
157 Travis Piccard
184 John Dickerson
197 Griffen Greene
Hwt. John Buck
By State South Carolina: Five Florida: Three Michigan: Two North Carolina: Two Georgia: One Maryland: One Oklahoma: One Pennsylvania: One West Virginia: One
The Citadel wrestling team opens its 2006-07 season with onships during the 2004-05 season. Conference placers a near impossible task in trying to follow up on their ef- returning for The Citadel include junior Darius Caldwell, fort from last year. That is because the 2005-06 season who finished second at 174 pounds, senior John Dickwas one of the most successful in the program’s history erson, who placed third at 184 pounds, and junior John as Dan Thompson became the first All-American wres- Buck, who ended up third at 285 pounds. tler in the history of The Citadel after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships at 165 pounds. Thomp- The Bulldogs also welcome back 2005-06 Southern Conson also won a Southern Conference Championship and ference Freshman of the Year Anthony Easter at 125 joined four other Bulldogs as placers at the SoCon Cham- pounds and redshirt junior Levi Duyn at 149 pounds. pionships. The Citadel also had the Southern Conference Duyn entered last season nationally ranked and qualified Wrestler of the Year in Sean Markey for the NCAA Tournament after winat 141 pounds, who was given an atning a SoCon Championship in 2005. large bid to the NCAA Championships after finishing as a runner-up The Citadel also welcomes a familiar at the SoCon Championships. Marface onto their coaching staff, as Markey ended his career as the school’s key was named as an assistant coach by all-time leader in wins with a 125-38 Hjerling during the offseason. record and career falls with 69 at the 133 and 141 pound weight classes. The Bulldogs again face one of the most Senior Travis Piccard challenging schedules in the country. Unfortunately for Bulldog fans, Markey and Thompson After beginning their dual season on Nov. 11 with a home both ended their wrestling careers on those high notes. match against Anderson, they will compete in four of the However, head coach Rob Hjerling believes there is a top tournaments in the country in the Las Vegas Invitastrong enough team in place to be serious contenders in tional, Dec. 1-2; the Reno Tournament of Champions, the conference and throughout the nation once again. Dec. 20; the Southern Scuffle, Dec. 29-30; and the Virginia Duals, Jan. 12-13. During those four tournaments, “Our starting lineup is going to be very competitive with- The Citadel will face eight of the top 10 teams from in the conference and nationally,” Hjerling said. “We have last year’s NCAA championships including defending an outstanding schedule that will prepare us for March NCAA Champion Oklahoma State and NCAA runnerand to compete with the best wrestlers in the country. up Minnesota. The Citadel opens the Southern ConferOur biggest concern is going to be staying healthy.” ence season on Jan. 31 at Chattanooga, and hosts UNCGreensboro on Feb. 10 for Among those returning for the Bulldogs is redshirt senior Alumni Day and VMI and Travis Piccard at 157 pounds. The Allendale, Mich., native North Carolina on Feb. 18. was ranked eighth nationally in the Division I preseason Senior Night will be Feb. rankings by the National Wrestling Coaches Association 21 against Gardner-Webb and its media website, InterMat. Piccard placed third in and the Southern Conferthe East Stroudsburg Open and first in the Oklahoma ence Championships will Open last season after wining a Southern Conference be held in Raleigh, N.C., on Junior Levi Duyn Championship in 2005. He also placed first at the Cornell March 3. Body Bar, Southern Scuffle and All-Academy Champi-
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force Falcons Location: USAF Academy, Colo. Founded: 1954 Enrollment: 4,000 Colors: Blue and Silver Arena: East Gymnasium Conference: Mountain West Starters Returning/Lost: 4/5 Wrestling Contact: Melissa McKeown E-mail: melissa.mckeown@usafa.af.mil Phone: (719) 333-9025
Nov. 11, 2006 -- McAlister Field House Anderson Trojans Location: Anderson, S.C. Founded: 1912 Enrollment: 1,600 Colors: Gold and Black Arena: Abney Athletic Center Conference: CVAC Starters Returning/Lost: 3/1 Wrestling Contact: Cobb Oxford E-mail: coxford@andersonuniversity.edu Phone: (864) 231-2097
Feb. 11, 2007 -- Boone, N.C. Appalachian State Mountaineers Location: Boone, N.C. Founded: 1899 Enrollment: 14,800 Colors: Black and Gold Arena: Varsity Gym Conference: Southern Starters Returning/Lost: 7/3 Wrestling Contact: Simon Ault E-mail: aultsb@appstate.edu Phone: (828) 262-7166
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Army Black Knights Location: West Point, N.Y. Founded: 1802 Enrollment: 4,000 Colors: Black, Gold and Gray Arena: Christl Arena Conference: EIWA Starters Returning/Lost: N/A Wrestling Contact: Christian Anderson E-mail: christian.anderson@usma.edu Phone: (845) 938-6996
Jan. 24, 2007 -- Durham, N.C. Campbell Fighting Camels Location: Buies Creek, N.C. Founded: 1887 Enrollment: 10,471 Colors: Orange and Black Arena: Carter Gymnasium Conference: Colonial Athletic Association Starters Returning/Lost: 8/2 Wrestling Contact: Matt Marek E-mail: mmmarek0531@campbell.edu Phone: (910) 893-4367
Jan. 31, 2007 -- Chattanooga, Tenn. Chattanooga Mocs Location: Chattanooga, Tenn. Founded: 1886 Enrollment: 8,923 Colors: Navy, Old Gold and Silver Arena: Maclellan Gymnasium Conference: Southern Starters Returning/Lost: 6/4 Wrestling Contact: Jeff Romero E-mail: jeff-romero@utc.edu Phone: (423) 425-5292
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Coast Guard Bears Location: New London, Conn. Founded: 1876 Enrollment: 1,000 Colors: Royal Blue and White Arena: Billard Gym Conference: Pilgrim Starters Returning/Lost: N/A Wrestling Contact: Jason Southard E-mail: jsouthard@cga.uscg.mil Phone: (860) 701-6800
Feb. 11, 2007 -- Davidson, N.C. Davidson Wildcats Location: Davidson, N.C. Founded: 1837 Enrollment: 1,700 Colors: Red and Black Arena: John M. Belk Arena Conference: Southern Starters Returning/Lost: 6/3 Wrestling Contact: Rick Bender E-mail: ribender@davidson.edu Phone: (704) 894-2123
Jan. 24, 2007 -- Durham, N.C. Duke Blue Devils Location: Durham, N.C. Founded: 1838 Enrollment: 6,092 Colors: Royal Blue and White Arena: Cameron Indoor Stadium Conference: Atlantic Coast Starters Returning/Lost: N/A Wrestling Contact: Lee Aldridge E-mail: laldridge@duaa.duke.edu Phone: (919) 684-8708
Feb. 21, 2007 -- McAlister Field House Gardner-Webb Bulldogs Location: Boiling Spring, N.C. Founded: 1905 Enrollment: 3,900 Colors: Red and Black Arena: Paul Porter Arena Conference: Independent Starters Returning/Lost: 3/7 Wrestling Contact: Brent Hager E-mail: bhager@gardner-webb.edu Phone: (704) 406-4355
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Merchant Marine Mariners Location: Kings Point, N.Y. Founded: 1943 Enrollment: 950 Colors: Blue and Gray Arena: Liebertz Gymnasium Conference: Centennial Starters Returning/Lost: N/A Wrestling Contact: Tyrone Broxton E-mail: broxtont@usmma.edu Phone: (516) 773-5455
Feb. 18, 2007 -- McAlister Field House North Carolina Tar Heels Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. Founded: 1789 Enrollment: 26,878 Colors: Carolina Blue and White Arena: Carmichael Auditorium Conference: Atlantic Coast Starters Returning/Lost: 9/1 Wrestling Contact: John Martin E-mail: johnmartin@unc.edu Phone: (919) 962-0084
Dec. 16, 2007 -- McAlister Field House Old Dominion Monarchs Location: Norfolk, Va. Founded: 1930 Enrollment: 21,500 Colors: Slate Blue, Light Blue and Silver Arena: TBA Conference: Colonial Starters Returning/Lost: 4/6 Wrestling Contact: Rob Silsbee E-mail: rsilsbee@odu.edu Phone: (757) 683-3372
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Feb. 18, 2007 -- McAlister Field House VMI Keydets
Location: Lexington, Va. Founded: 1839 Enrollment: 1,300 Colors: Red, White and Yellow Arena: Cocke Hall Conference: Southern Starters Returning/Lost: 9/2 Wrestling Contact: Christian Hoffman E-mail: hoffmanjc@vmi.edu Phone: (540) 464-7514
Feb. 10, 2007 -- McAlister Field House UNC-Greensboro Spartans Location: Greensboro, N.C. Founded: 1891 Enrollment: 14,900 Colors: Gold, White and Navy Arena: Fleming Gym Conference: Southern Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 Wrestling Contact: Kendra Lee E-mail: kalee@uncg.edu Phone: (336) 334-5615
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Norwich Cadets Location: Northfield, Vt. Founded: 1819 Enrollment: 1,900 Colors: Maroon and Gold Arena: Kreitzburg Arena Conference: NECCWA Starters Returning/Lost: N/A Wrestling Contact: Scott Miller E-mail: smiller@norwich.edu Phone: (802) 485-2160
All Academy Championships -- Feb. 3, 2007 -- Colorado Springs, Colo. Navy Midshipmen Location: Annapolis, Md. Founded: 1845 Enrollment: 4,000 Colors: Navy Blue and Gold Arena: Halsey Field House Conference: EIWA Starters Returning/Lost: 6/4 Wrestling Contact: Stacie Michaud E-mail: michaud@usna.edu Phone: (410) 293-8773
the SoCon. With two conference champs and three runners-up, the Bulldogs sent four members of the 2003 team to the NCAA championships in Kansas City. The 2003 squad also saw two grapplers make their way into the national rankings. The 133-pound Sean Markey finished the season ranked as high as 18th nationally by The Wrestling Mall, while 149pound Travis Piccard saw his name make it to 19th late in the season by the same publication. The Bulldogs finished that season with a mark of 13-3. Rob Hjerling, the 2004 Southern Conference Coach of the Year and a 1994 graduate of American University, is in his eighth season as head coach of The Citadel’s wrestling program. Hjerling has an overall record of 56-55-3 and a combined 39-22-1 over the last four seasons. After going 2-11-2 and 1-4 in the SoCon (5th of 6) his first season, Hjerling boosted the Bulldogs to 13-3 and 5-0 in the SoCon (1st of 6) in 2004. Hjerling guided the 2006 squad to a historical season as Dan Thompson became the first All-American wrestler in Bulldog history by placing seventh at 165 pounds at the NCAA Championships. Thompson also won the Southern Conference Championship at 165 pounds and six other Bulldogs placed to help The Citadel to a third place finish in the conference. Sean Markey joined Thompson at the NCAA Championships at 141 pounds after earning an at-large bid by finishing second in the SoCon and being named the SoCon Wrestler of the Year. The 2005 squad placed second in SoCon and sent three wrestlers to the NCAA tournament to mark the sixth time in six seasons that the Bulldogs sent wrestlers to the National Championship and the fifth season with multiple qualifiers. They also had five other wrestlers earn spots on the podium. In 2004 the Bulldogs matched their highest ever winning percentage with a record of 13-3 (.813) on their way to the school’s first SoCon wrestling championship since 1967. Hjerling’s grapplers included four individual conference champions in Ryan McClester (125), Dan Thompson (157), Keith Clifton (174) and Billy Linane (Hwt), all earning automatic bids to the NCAA Championship, while Sean Markey (133) earned one of the leagues at-large bids to bring the total number of Bulldogs in the NCAA’s to five. McClester was named the SoCon Wrestler of the Year. Hjerling directed the third place 2003 squad to the highest winning percentage, .813, in school history. The Hjerling-led group saw two members, Keith Clifton (184) and Billy Linane (Hwt), win SoCon championships, while six others grappled to finish in the top three in
In 2001-02, the Bulldogs entered numerous tournaments with NCAA powerhouses and also wrestled dual meets versus Top 25 teams. Hjerling led The Citadel to scoring the most points since the SoCon’s 1967 Championship Team and best dual meet record since 1991 at 10-7. The Bulldogs had seven conference placers, five finalists, one SoCon champion and one NCAA qualifier. In 2000-01, there were six conference placers, two conference finalists, one SoCon champion and two NCAA qualifiers. The team was ranked 16th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Academic Top 25. During his first season (‘99-’00) he had four conference placers, one conference finalist and one NCAA qualifier. The level of competition drastically increased with Hjerling at the helm. The team managed to go 5-15 and 2-3 SoCon (4th of 6). Hjerling came to The Citadel after spending the 1998-99 season as an assistant coach at George Mason University, where he helped the Patriots to a runner-up finish in the Colonial Athletic Association while coaching four NCAA qualifiers. Following Hjerling’s departure, George Mason had one of their best seasons yet, showing the superb recruiting that had been done during Hjerling’s time there. He spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater. Hjerling coached five NCAA qualifiers during those two seasons. He got his start in coaching at Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, Pa., spending the 1995-96 campaigns as an assistant coach. As a senior at American University, Hjerling posted a 28-4 overall record. In addition, the Lancaster, Pa., native captured the Colonial Athletic Association’s 158-pound weight class championship, garnered CAA Most Outstanding Wrestler honors and earned a berth in the NCAA Championships. He completed his wrestling career with 69 victories. Hjerling is married to the former Megan Hoban of Cleveland, Ohio.
Jeff Ragan, a former All-American at Oklahoma State, is in his seventh season as an assistant wrestling coach at The Citadel. Ragan graduated from Oklahoma State in May of 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics. A four-year letterman in wrestling, Ragan was a member of three Big XII Conference championship teams while posting an overall record of 101-43. As a senior, the Englewood, Fla., native won 31 matches and captured the Big XII Conference individual crown in the 125-pound weight class and finished sixth at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors. A four-time Big XII All-Academic Team selection, Ragan was named the Oklahoma State Male Student-Athlete-of-the-Year in 2000 and was tabbed to the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Academic All-America team. In addition, he became the 19th wrestler in Oklahoma State history to register 100 career victories.
Sean Markey, one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of The Citadel, enters his first season as an assistant wrestling coach. Markey ended his Bulldog wrestling career in the spring of 2006 as the school’s career leader in wins with 125 and career falls with 69 at the 133 and 141-pound weight classes. Markey finished his senior season with a record of 29-6 and received the 2006 All-Conference Award in addition to being named SoCon Wrestler of the Year and an Academic All-American. The native of Randolph, N.J., was a four-time SoCon finalist, three-time NCAA qualifier, four-year letterman and team captain, and four-time recipient of the Most Falls Award. He was also a three-time All-Academy Champion as well as the 2006 All-Academy Ken Shelton Outstanding Wrestler Award winner. Earlier in his career, Markey received The Citadel Outstanding Wrestler Award in 2003, the 2002 Wrestling Freshman of the Year award, and the 2002 Leadership Award. Markey graduated with a degree in business administration from The Citadel in 2005. He is currently pursuing his master’s in business administration at The Citadel’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Ragan also was a six-time freestyle All-American. In 1997 he captured a Freestyle Espior National Champion title and became a Junior World Team member, where he placed in the top 10. As a prep star, Ragan posted a 103-5 overall record at Lemon Bay High School, making three finalist appearances and winning a pair of Florida state championships, while earning Outstanding Wrestler honors as a junior and senior.
Joe Privitere, a 2003 graduate of Binghamton University, enters his second season as an assistant coach on The Citadel’s wrestling staff. He spent the previous two seasons as a volunteer in the wrestling room.
Ragan finished graduate school at The Citadel in December of 2002 and also works as an adjunct professor in The Citadel’s mathematics department. He is married to the former Andrea Denise Clark. The couple has a daughter, Alli, and a son, Jacob.
In addition to his college experience, Privitere was also the 1998 High School National Champion, 1999 FILA Greco All-American, 2000 FILA Greco World Team Trial Champion and the 2000 FILA Greco World Silver Medalist.
Privitere, the single-season victory leader at Binghamton (38), was a Division II AllAmerican his freshman year as a Bearcat and All-Conference in 2002 and 2003.
Aside from his coaching duties, Privitere is also a graduate assistant in The Citadel’s Health, Exercise and Sport Science and Intramural departments. He is currently pursuing a masters degree in health exercise and sport science.
Year 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight 184 174 184 174/184
Wins 18 15 16 49
Losses 19 20 15 54
2005-06: Compiled a record of 16-15, 2-2 in the SoCon, with a fall and four major decisions … placed third at the Southern Conference Championships for the third time in his career. 2004-05: Moved back up to 184 … placed sixth at the East Stroudsburg Open, fourth at the Buffalo Open and first at the Southern Slam… redshirted and did not see 2005-06: Placed third at the East Stroudsburg Open … finished first at the Oklahoma Open ... redshirted and did regular season action. not see regular season action. 2003-04: Grappled to a record of 15-20, 1-4 SoCon at 174 pounds … recorded one pin and three major deci- 2004-05: Moved up to 157 pounds from 149 … tallied sions … placed third at the Southern Conference Cham- a record of 35-5 including 11-0 in duals … placed first at the Cornell Body Bar, Southern Scuffle, All-Academy pionships. Championship and Southern Conference Championship 2002-03: Recorded an 18-19 win-loss mark with one pin … placed second at the Beast of the East … defeated ... placed third at the Southern Conference Champion- fourth ranked Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov of American University in the first round of the NCAA Championship. ship, where he advanced to the round of 12. High School: Had a successful high school career marking a win-loss record of 146-19 ... won the 189-pound Michigan State Division 2 Championship as a junior with a 45-2 mark ... placed third as a senior in the state championship after going 50-1 in his final season ... as a junior he placed third at the AAU Folkstyle World Championships.
2003-04: Moved down to 149 pounds from 157 … finished with a record of 29-9, 4-1 SoCon with two pins, three technical falls and seven major decisions … placed third at the SoCon Championships … earned his second varsity letter in two seasons.
2002-03: Was the Southern Conference 157-pound runPersonal: Born June 18, 1983 ... son of Luther and Bar- ner-up in 2003 ... won 31 matches and lost 13 ... total of 31 victories was good enough to tie for ninth best in the bara Dickerson ... majoring in physical education. nation amongst 157-pounders ... his 31 wins also placed him in the top 10 nationally in wins among freshman and
High School: Three-time Oklahoma State Champion ... won the state title as a freshman, sophomore and senior ... High School: Won 202 matches and lost only three in placed second at state during his junior season ... ranked his career at Allendale High ... was the Michigan D3 State sixth nationally at 125 pounds and was a two-time Cadet Champion three straight years as a sophomore, junior All-American ... recorded only two losses in 126 career and senior ... went 56-0 as a senior at 152 pounds, 51-0 as prep matches. a junior at 145 pounds and 50-1 as a sophomore at 140 pounds ... won the NHSCA Open National Champion- Personal: Born Aug. 15, 1984 ... son of Pat and Jim Arias ship his junior year at the 152-pound weight class and was ... majoring in business administration. third in the same tournament as a sophomore ... placed Year Weight Wins Losses third as a freshman at the AAU Folstyle National Tourna2004-05 133/141 20 20 ment. 2005-06 133/141 8 14 Total 133/141 28 34 Personal: Born June 8, 1984 ... son of Jackie and Stacie Piccard ... majoring in business administration. was the most wins by a freshman at The Citadel.
Year 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight 157 149 157 149/157
Wins 31 29 35 95
Losses 13 9 5 27
2005-06: Moved up to Heavyweight from 184 … tallied a mark of 18-19, 2-3 in the SoCon, including three falls and a major decision … ended up in first place at The Citadel Open … placed fourth at the East Stroudsburg Open … finished third at the All-Academy Championships … placed third at the Southern Conference Championships in his first appearance in the tournament. 2005-06: Wrestled at 133 and 141 pounds and finished 8-14, 0-2 in the SoCon, with three falls and two major 2004-05: Wrestled to a 6-8 record between 174 and 184 pounds … placed first at the VMI Keydet Invitational at decisions … placed fourth at the Oklahoma Open. 174 pounds. 2004-05: Compiled a record of 20-20 between 133 and 141 pounds … placed fourth at the All Academy Cham- 2003-04: Placed first at the VMI Keydet Invitational at 184 pounds … also wrestled in the UNC-Pembroke Claspionships at 141 pounds. sic and the UNC Rubbermaid Open … redshirted and did not see any dual match action. 2003-04: Redshirted, did not see any action.
High School: Placed second in the North Carolina State Tournament his senior campaign and was a fourtime state qualifier ... won 26 of 28 matches as a senior ... placed third at the NHSCA Open.
Champion ... won the state title as a sophomore, junior and senior ... received honorable-mention rankings from Intermat at 152 pounds ... went undefeated, 36-0, as a senior and tallied an overall career mark of 138-33.
Personal: Born June 7, 1985 ... son of Linda and John Buck ... majoring in education.
Personal: Born Sept. 25, 1985 ... son of Katherine Riley and James Caldwell ... majoring in psychology.
Year 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight Wins 174/184 6 285 18 174/184/285 24
Losses 8 19 27
2005-06: Wrestled at 174 and 184 pounds and finished with a record of 22-10, 4-1 in the SoCon, including three falls and three major decisions … finished second at The Citadel Open … placed second at the All-Academy Championships … finished second at the Southern Conference Championships for his second trip to the podium in two appearances at the tournament. 2004-05: Wrestled at 174, 184, and 197 pounds … compiled a record of 19-22 … placed fourth at Cornell-Body Bar Invitational at 174 … placed third at the SoCon Championships at 197. 2003-04: Earned a record of 1-2 at the West Virginia Open and the UNC Rubbermaid Open … redshirted during the dual season. High School: Was the 2003 1A/2A South Carolina Wrestler of the Year ... three-time South Carolina
Year 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight Wins 174/184/197 16 174/184 22 174/184/197 38
Losses 19 10 29
2005-06: Finished second at the East Stroudsburg Open, notching a fall and technical fall … placed second at the Penn State Open ... redshirted and did not see dual action. 2004-05: Competed at 149 pounds and finished with a record of 23-19 … placed fourth at the Beast of the East, Southern Scuffle and All-Academy Championships … placed first at the SoCon Championships to qualify for his first NCAA Tournament. 2003-04: Wrestled to a record of 31-20, 2-3 SoCon at 141 pounds … notched 13 falls with one tech fall … one of two freshmen to letter and the only freshman to start last season. High School: Capped off prep career with the Florida State Championship ... placed third as a sophomore in
the state tournament ... ranked fourth nationally at 145 pounds by Intermat ... was the 2003 runner-up at the Senior National Finals ... finished his prep career with an undefeated senior campaign, 47-0, and an overall prep record of 110 wins and four losses.
Year 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight 125 125 125
Wins 0 0 0
Losses 4 5 9
Personal: Born Aug. 2, 1985 ... son of April and Allen Duyn ... majoring in criminal justice. Year 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight 141 149 141/149
Wins 31 23 54
Losses 20 19 39 2005-06: Finished season with a record of 7-12 at 133 and 141 pounds combined … went 2-2 in Southern Conference dual action. 2004-05: Wrestled to a 2-2 record in the VMI Keydet Invitational … redshirted.
High School: Three-time State Qualifier from 20022004 … placed third at State Championship at 120 pounds in 2004 … posted a 54-2 record his senior year to lead the State of Florida in wins … three-time All2005-06: Competed at the 125-pound weight class at The Pasco County Conference … 2004 Pasco County WresCitadel Open and the East Stroudsburg Open … finished tler of the Year … placed fifth at the 2003 Pre-Season the season with a mark of 0-5. Nationals … finished high school career with a record of 147-44. 2004-05: Wrestled in the VMI Keydet Invitational at 125 pounds … had a season record of 0-4. Personal: Born April 6, 1986 … son of Bill and Debbie Bullwinkel … twin brother Matt is also a member 2003-04: Served as team manager … worked as addi- of The Citadel wrestling team … majoring in Criminal tional practice partner for lower weights. Justice. High School: Lettered four years at Hammond High School. Personal: Born Nov. 21, 1983 … son of Truman and Martha Hopkins … majoring in computer science.
Year 2004-05 2005-06 Total
Weight 133/141 133/141
Wins 7 7
Losses 12 12
2005-06: Wrestled at 141 and 149 pounds and ended the 2005-06: Wrestled at 125 pounds and named the Southseason with a mark of 8-8 with four falls … placed sec- ern Conference Freshman of the Year after compiling a ond at The Citadel Open. 14-11 record, 3-2 in the SoCon, with four pins and four major decisions … finished third at the All-Academy 2004-05: Placed third at the VMI Keydet Invitational at Championships … placed third at the Southern Confer133 pounds … placed fifth at the Edinboro Open … ence Championships in his first appearance at the tournaplaced first at Southern Slam … redshirted and did not ment. see any dual action. High School: Earned four letters in wrestling at Nitro High School: Three-time state qualifier from 2002-2004 High School, compiling a 183-4 record … three-time West … placed first at state, region and district championships Virginia state champion ... ranked the fifth best wrestler at 130 pounds in 2004 … posted a 52-1 record his senior in his weight class in the nation by InterMat ... named a year … three-time All-Pasco County Conference … 2004 Junior National All-American ... also received four letters Times Pasco County Wrestler of the Year … placed sixth in cross country and two in track. at the 2003 Pre-Season Nationals … finished high school career with a record of 142-47. Personal: Born July 9, 1986 … son of Charles and Beverly Easter … brother Matt was a wrestler at Cornell from Personal: Born April 6, 1986 … son of Bill and Debbie 2003-07 … majoring in criminal justice. Bullwinkel … twin brother Billy is also a member of The Citadel wrestling team ... majoring in civil engineering. Year Weight Wins Losses 2005-06 125 14 11 Year Weight Wins Losses Total 125 14 11 2004-05 2005-06 141/149 8 8 Total 141/149 8 8
country. Personal: Born Oct. 1, 1987 … son of Nestor and Vicki Acosta … majoring in business administration.
2005-06: Finished with a mark of 1-7 at the 133 and 125 pound weight classes … competed at The Citadel Open and East Stroudsburg Open. High School: Member of the wrestling and football teams at Greater Grace Christian Academy … coached at High School: Earned four letters in wrestling at WedGreater Grace by Tim McClaughlin and Tim Sichegel. dington High School … compiled a 138-39 career record … finished fifth in the state his junior year and second Personal: Born July 3, 1986 … son of Mike Fenton and his senior year … was a two-time Army National Guard Lisa Kral … majoring in criminal justice. Scholar Athlete … also named a NHSCA Academic AllAmerican … coached by Eddie Cook and Robert Filter Year Weight Wins Losses … received one letter in football as well. 2005-06 125/133 1 7 Total
125/133
1
7
Personal: Born Nov. 25, 1987 … son of Robert and Robin Filter … majoring in business administration.
2005-06: Redshirted and did not see any dual action. High School: Received four letters in wrestling at Hillcrest High School … a three-time state placer at Hillcrest and notched 130 career victories … coached in high school by Tommy and Robby Bell, Steve and Frank DeVita, and Keith Brewer … also lettered twice in cross
High School: Received four letters as a member of the wrestling team at Screven County High School … an area champion and finished fourth in the state his senior year … coached by John Robbins and Brian Scott … also earned four letters as a member of the football team and
two letters in baseball … was a member of the 2002 state High School: Earned four letters as a member of the championship football team. wrestling team at Woodruff High School … a three-time state champion at the A/AA levels in South Carolina … Personal: Born Oct. 18, 1987 … son of Guy and Lea named South Carolina’s most outstanding wrestler at Anne Greene … brother-in-law Macay McBride is a re- the A/AA divisions in 2006 … also received four letters lief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves … majoring in health, apiece as a member of the football and track teams. exercise and sports science. Personal: Born April 22, 1988 … son of Audrey Royster … majoring in business administration.
High School: One of the most accomplished high school wrestlers in the history of South Carolina at Eastside High School … was a four-time state champion and notched the most career wins in the history of the state … finished his high school career with a record of 199-5 … named South Carolina’s AAA most outstanding wrestler in 2006 … a Wrestling-USA All-American honorable mention … high school team won three state championships in a row while he wrestled for them. Personal: Born Jan. 30, 1988 … son of Daniel and Lydia Leach … majoring in business administration.
High School: Attended McGuffey High School and earned three letters as a member of the wrestling squad … had a career record of 72-12 … ranked the fifth best senior in the country at 112 pounds and was an Amateur Wrestling News All-American … finished in third place in Pennsylvania’s AAA division … also received two letters in cross country. Personal: Born March 1, 1988 … son of David and Mary Lynn … grandfather Nick Petronka was an All-American wrestler at Indiana.
2005-06 Southern Conference Standings SoCon Team Chattanooga UNC Greensboro The Citadel Appalachian State Davidson VMI
W-L-T 5-0-0 4-1-0 3-2-0 1-3-1 1-3-1 0-4-1
Pct. 1.000 .800 .600 .300 .300 .100
W-L-T 16-8-1 11-6-0 8-8-0 11-8-1 7-9-1 1-10-1
Overall Pct. .660 .647 .500 .575 .441 .125
Final 2005-06 Individual Statistics Overall 125 Pounds Anthony Easter Mike Fenton Charlie Hopkins 133 Pounds Billy Bullwinkel Michael Arias Mike Fenton 141 Pounds Sean Markey Billy Bullwinkel Matt Bullwinkel Michael Arias 149 Pounds Nick Orio Matt Bullwinkel Chris Humphries 157 Pounds Chris Humphries Derek Neitz 165 Pounds Dan Thompson Derek Neitz 174 Pounds Darius Caldwell Dan Thompson Allen Elliott 184 Pounds John Dickerson Darius Caldwell Allen Elliott 197 Pounds Mark Thompson 285 Pounds John Buck
Pins
Tech. Falls
Maj. Dec.
Dual
SoCon
14-11 1-5 0-5
4 0 0
0 0 0
4 0 0
6-5 0-3 0-1
3-2 0-0 0-0
3-9 8-13 0-2
0 3 0
0 0 0
0 2 0
3-3 3-7 0-0
2-2 0-1 0-0
29-6 4-3 7-4 0-1
16 0 3 0
0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0
7-0 1-0 4-3 0-1
4-0 0-0 0-0 0-1
15-23 1-4 2-3
3 1 0
0 0 0
1 0 1
3-10 0-2 0-0
0-5 0-2 0-0
2-18 1-5
0 0
0 0
1 1
0-12 1-1
0-5 0-0
22-7 2-2
2 0
2 0
4 0
12-2 2-0
5-0 0-0
16-8 1-1 4-5
3 0 0
0 0 0
1 0 2
11-2 1-1 0-1
4-1 0-0 0-0
16-15 6-2 0-1
1 0 0
0 0 0
4 2 0
9-6 0-0 0-1
2-2 0-0 0-1
29-12
3
1
4
11-5
4-1
18-19
3
0
1
5-11
2-3
Southern Conference Quick Facts
Founded: ..................................................................................................................................................... Feb. 26, 1921 Schools: ............................................................................................................................................................................12 First Year of Wrestling: ......................................................................................................................................... 1930 Wrestling Members: ....................................................................... Appalachian State, Chattanooga, The Citadel, ..............................................................................................................................Davidson, UNC Greensboro, VMI* Headquarters: ..................................................................................................................................... Spartanburg, S.C. Commissioner: ........................................................................................................................................ John Iamarino Senior Assoc. Commissioner: ................................................................................................................. Geoff Cabe Assoc. Commissioner/Compliance: .......................................................................................................Doug King Assoc. Commissioner/Internal Affairs: ................................................................................................ Sue Arakas Asst. Commissioner/Public Relations: ............................................................................................. Mike Ballweg Asst. Commissioner/Marketing and Development: ......................................................................... Pete Moore Director of Media Services: ............................................................................................................ Mandi Copeland Public Relations Assistant: ...............................................................................................................Natalie Williams External Affairs Assistant ..................................................................................................................... Brandon Neff SoCon Office Phone: ............................................................................................................................ (864) 591-5100 SoCon Website: ......................................................................................................................... www.soconsports.com *--Associate Member for Wrestling Only
The 2007 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships will be held at at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. on March 15-17. The championship tournament, hosted by the University of Michigan and the Detroit Metro Sports Commission, will be held for the 77th time and marks the first occassion since 1942 that the event will be held in the state of Michigan. Michigan State hosted the championship in 1942 in East Lansing, Mich. The University of Michigan last hosted the event in 1934. The Citadel has taken wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament every year under Head Coach Rob Hjerling. Sean Markey and Dan Thompson wrestled in last year’s championship for the Bulldogs and Thompson became the first grappler in school history to become an All-American after finishing seventh in the 165-pound weight class. During Hjerling’s tenure, Bulldog grapplers have qualified for the tournament 18 times. Media wishing to cover The Citadel at the NCAA Tournament should contact Erik Bell in the Athletics Media Relations Office at their earliest convenience as press and photography passes for the event are limited. For more information on the 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, visit www.detroitsports.org.
The Citadel Places Third at SoCon Championships Bulldogs Place Seven; Dan Thompson and Sean Markey Earn NCAA Berths Lexington, Va. - Senior Dan Thompson won the 165-pound Southern Conference wrestling championship and six other Bulldogs placed as The Citadel wrestled to a third-place finish at the SoCon Championships at Mat Jam on March 4 in Cameron Hall on the campus of Virginia Military Institute. Along with Dan Thompson, senior Sean Markey received one of the Southern Conference’s at-large bids and junior Mark Thompson was selected as the conference’s first alternate. Bulldog freshman Anthony Easter opened up the day as the third seed at 125 pounds. In the first round, Easter pinned Appalachian State’s sixth-seeded Adam Wilson at 4:47. Easter moved on to face second-seeded Patrick Coman of Davidson in the semifinals. Coman won the match 8-3 as he had two takedowns, a reversal, an escape and riding time to Easter’s takedown and escape. The loss sent Easter to the consolation semifinals. In the consolation semifinals, Easter faced VMI’s Lam Ly. Easter earned his first takedown 23 seconds into the match and added an escape, two more takedowns and three back points in the second period. The Bulldog freshman started and finished the third period in the top position to add a riding time point and secure an 11-2 major decision and a spot in the consolation finals. In the 125-pound consolation finals, Anthony Easter faced Appalachian State’s Adam Wilson. Easter opened up the scoring with a takedown 1:45 into the first period. Wilson escaped with three seconds left and Easter took a 2-1 lead into the second period. Easter began the second period in the defensive position and earned a reversal 55 seconds later. Easter stayed on top for the remainder of the second frame to all but secure the riding point. In the third period the pair started neutral and Easter scored a takedown with 1:35 left in the bout. The Bulldog freshman cut Wilson loose 15 seconds later and secured another takedown with 41 seconds left. Easter cut Wilson loose once more with 30 seconds remaining and the clock expired giving Easter a 9-3 decision and third place in his first Mat Jam appearance. For his efforts, Easter was named the SoCon Freshman of the Year. At 133 pounds, fourth-seeded redshirt freshman Billy Bullwinkel faced off against fifth-seeded Brandon Stillo from VMI. The first round match saw Bullwinkel use a reversal and three back points to take a 7-3 lead with 45 seconds left in the match, only to have Stillo use the same scoring sequence in the last 25 seconds to come away with an 8-7 decision. The loss put Bullwinkel in the consolation semifinals. In the consolation semifinal, Bullwinkel faced Greensboro’s Chris Bencivenga. Bencivenga had five takedowns, an escape and riding time while Bullwinkel scored all of his points on escapes as Bencivenga ended Bullwinkel’s podium hopes with a 12-6 decision. SoCon Wrestler of the Year Sean Markey earned the top seed and a first round bye at 141 pounds.
six seconds into the second frame with an escape. Artis chose to start the third in the neutral position and secured a takedown at 5:36, and Markey escaped four seconds later. The match ended with Artis winning, 4-3. At 149 pounds, Bulldog freshman Nick Orio, the sixth seed, faced Chattanooga’s third-seeded Aaron Martin in the first round. Martin turned Orio 30 seconds into the second round and earned a pin at 3:57. Orio dropped to the consolation bracket where he faced top-seeded Eric Burns from Appalachian State. The pair was scoreless after one period and Orio took the defensive position to start the second. Just over halfway into the middle frame, Orio scored a reversal but Burns scored a reversal of his own along with two back points with 45 seconds left in the period. Neither wrestler scored in the third and Orio’s day ended with a 4-2 loss to Burns. Redshirt freshman Chris Humphries started at 157 pounds for The Citadel and was seeded sixth. In the first round, Humphries squared off against Matt Pendle, the third seed from Davidson. Humphries started the match with three first round takedowns to lead 6-2 after one period. Humphries chose neutral to start the second and Pendle earned a takedown and stayed on top for the entire period. Humphries started the third period on defense and sued a late reversal and three near-fall points to earn an 11-4 first round upset. In the semifinals Humphries faced second-seeded Scott Ervin from Appalachian State. Ervin secured an early takedown and two back points before Humphries managed a reversal at 1:14. Ervin escaped 23 seconds later and the first period ended with Humphries down, 5-2. That was as close as it would get as Ervin added a second period takedown, a third period escape and riding time to win, 9-2. With the loss, Humphries dropped to the consolation semifinals. In the consolation semifinals, Humphries faced VMI’s Tommy Cunningham. Cunningham scored two takedowns, an escape and a riding time point to end Humphries day with a 6-1 decision. Humphries’ only point came 15 seconds into the third period when Cunningham was penalized for striking Humphries in the face. All-SoCon selection Dan Thompson earned the No. 1 seed at 165 pounds and took a bye in the first round. In the semifinal round, Thompson faced Greensboro’s Mark Ring. The pair wrestled to a 0-0 tie after two periods, with Thompson owning two minutes of riding time from the second period. Thompson started the third period in the defensive position and escaped four seconds in. The Bulldog senior then added a takedown with 45 seconds remaining, allowed an escape 15 seconds later and finished with a takedown three seconds before the buzzer to gain a 6-1 decision and move to his second career final. In the 165 final, Dan Thompson faced off against Appalachian State’s Lee Roper. Thompson secured a takedown 10 seconds into the match and immediately added two back points to go up, 4-0. Thompson worked an arm bar to turn Roper and eventually secured a pin at 2:24 to claim the second SoCon championship of his career and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
In the semifinals, Markey met Appalachian’s Marcus Cox. Cox led, 8-7, late in the second period before Markey earned a takedown and turned Cox for his 16th pin of the season at 4:48. The victory sent Markey to his third career SoCon final.
Sophomore Darius Caldwell earned the two seed at 174 pounds and took a first round bye.
In the 141-pound final, Sean Markey met No. 2-seeded Kevin Artis from Greensboro. Artis scored first when he turned a single leg shot into a takedown 13 seconds into the match. Markey escaped 11 seconds later and the first period ended with Markey trailing, 2-1. Markey started the second period in the defensive position and tied the match
In the semifinal, Caldwell trailed Davidson’s Marcus Boyd, 4-1 heading into the third. Caldwell started the final frame in the defensive position. Caldwell escaped with 1:40 left to trail, 4-2, with Boyd owning 1:14 of riding time. Caldwell earned a takedown with 16 seconds remaining and rode Boyd to the buzzer to clear the riding point and
force overtime with a 4-4 tie. In the extra period, Caldwell secured the sudden victory with a takedown at 7:13 to win, 6-4. The victory sent the redshirt sophomore to his first career SoCon final.
by Hazell into a takedown and back points with 50 seconds remaining. Hazell earned an escape with 30 seconds left but gave one back with an unsportsmanlike penalty in the final seconds as Buck won by a 9-3 decision.
In the 174-pound final, Caldwell faced Greensboro’s Joe Lowe. Lowe used a takedown, three back points, three escapes and riding time to defeat Caldwell, 9-4. Caldwell scored his points on two takedowns. Caldwell’s second place finish was his second appearance on the SoCon podium in two tournament appearances.
Buck moved onto the semifinals where he faced top-seeded Tyler Shovlin from Greensboro. Shovlin used three takedowns, an escape, a stall point and three near fall points to defeat Buck by an 11-1 major decision. Buck’s lone point came off of a first period escape. With the loss, Buck dropped to the consolation final.
The Citadel’s John Dickerson, the third seed at 184 pounds, opened up first round action against sixthseeded Kevin Worsowicz from Appalachian State. Worsowicz used three takedowns and an escape to defeat Dickerson, 7-3.
In the 285-pound consolation final, Buck faced VMI’s Scott Buhman. The pair grappled to a scoreless tie through one period. Buhman started defensively in the second and earned an escape. Buck took the bottom in the second and also gained an escape. The pair was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and went to overtime. No one earned points in the extra period, so they went into a tie-breaker. In the first half of the tiebreaker, Buhman took the bottom and escaped in four seconds. Buck started the second half on bottom and was unable to escape. After being returned to the mat three times by Buhman, Buck gained control of his opponents right leg, attempted a switch, moved to a high-crotch, lifted Buhman and took him to the mat for the reversal and a 3-2 tie-breaker victory. The win gave Buck third place in his first appearance in the tournament.
Dickerson dropped into the consolation bracket where he faced Greensboro’s Kane Smith. Dickerson posted Darius Caldwell four takedowns and an escape to earn a 9-4 decision over Smith. The victory gave Dickerson a spot in the consolation finals. In the 184-pound consolation finals, John Dickerson faced Appalachian State’s Kevin Worsowicz for a second time. The pair wrestled to a scoreless tie after the first period. In the second period, Dickerson started on the bottom and earned an escape point seven seconds into the period to go up, 1-0. The second ended with that same score. In the third Worsowicz took the bottom and gained an escape eight seconds in. Time expired with the score knotted at 1-1. In the first overtime neither wrestler could secure a takedown, so the match went to double overtime. Dickerson started the fifth round in the defensive position and escaped six seconds in. The Bulldog junior then secured a takedown four seconds before the buzzer to take a 4-1 lead into the sixth period. Worsowicz started the third overtime on the bottom and escaped halfway through. However, the Mountaineer grappler could not secure a takedown and Dickerson earned the 4-2 tie-break victory. The win gave Dickerson a third place finish in the SoCon tournament for the third time of his career.
Team Scores: 1. Chattanooga -- 112.5 2. UNC Greensboro -- 72 3. The Citadel -- 63.5 4. Appalachian State -- 49.5 5. VMI -- 28.5 6. Davidson -- 17 2006 Southern Conference Finals 125 - Maldonado (UTC) maj. dec. Coman (DAV), 11-2 133 - Keller (UTC) maj. dec. Williams (APP), 15-3 141 - Artis (GBO) def. Markey (CIT), 4-3 149 - Harrington (GBO) fall/sv Martin (UTC), 7:57 sv 157 - Yost (UTC) maj. dec. Ervin (APP), 13-3 165 - D. Thompson (CIT) fall Roper (APP), 2:24
Junior Mark Thompson earned the No. 2 seed at 197 pounds and received a first round bye.
174 - Lowe (GBO) def Caldwell (CIT), 9-4
In the semifinal round, Thompson faced Chattanooga’s Lloyd Rogers. The grad school transfer secured his first takedown 15 seconds into the match and never looked back. Thompson added two more takedowns, an escape and a riding time point to secure an 8-3 decision. The victory gave the 2005 ACC runner-up his first berth in a Southern Conference final.
184 - Davis (UTC) maj. dec. Murray (VMI), 13-2
In the 197-pound final, Mark Thompson faced Greensboro’s Darren Burns. The pair wrestled to a scoreless tie in the first period. Thompson was the first to score when he escaped in the second period, but Burns scored a takedown and three near fall points to lead 5-1 after two periods. In the third, Burns started on the bottom and quickly escaped. Thompson secured a takedown, but Burns quickly reversed it. Thompson then escaped with 15 seconds left and lost to Burns, 8-4. Thompson’s second place finish matches his finish in the 2005 ACC tournament.
At large Bids
197 - Burns (GBO) def. M. Thompson (CIT) 8-4 285 - Silva (UTC) def. Shovlin (GBO), 2-1 tb
141 - Sean Markey (CIT) 141 - Michael Keefe (UTC) 285 - Tyler Shovlin (GBO)
Heavyweight sophomore John Buck came into the tournament as the fourth seed and faced Appalachian’s fifth-seeded David Hazel in the first round. Buck held a slim 3-2 lead with less than a minute left in the match before turning a failed takedown attempt
McAlister Field House Originally constructed in 1939 and renovated in 1989, and track teams use the facility. McAlister Field House serves as the home of The Citadel’s The Citadel has hosted three 6,000-fan “sellout” crowds basketball, volleyball and wrestling programs. in basketball since the building’s renovation in 1989, including games with Duke (1989), South Carolina (1997) The facility, which also houses the athletic department’s and College of Charleston (1999). administrative offices along with locker rooms for the basketball and baseball teams, has a seating capacity of In January of 1998, 2002 and 2005, The Citadel and 6,000. McAlister Field House hosted the annual All-Academy Wrestling Championships. When built in 1939, the facility was referred to as “The Citadel McAlister Field House served Armory,” and seated 4,500 for as the host arena of the 2002, basketball games. 2003, 2004 and 2006 Southern Conference Women’s Basketball In 2001, The Citadel annexed a Championships. women’s facility onto McAlister Field House. The women’s McAlister Field House has also wing is home to offices and hosted such entertainment acts locker rooms for the women’s as Dave Matthews, Widespread volleyball and soccer teams. Panic, Bob Hope, Kenny Rogers and Patti LaBelle. Events Top to bottom, McAlister Field that have utilized the multiHouse is one of the top basketball, volleyball and wrestling purpose building include WCW Wrestling, Charleston arenas in the region for both participants and fans. Even Cup Gymnastics Championships, Special Olympics, Moja though 6,000 fans can pack into McAlister Field House for Arts Festival Activities, Rotary/Red Cross Roundball High a basketball game, no fan is further than 24 rows away from School Basketball Classic and assorted high school and the court. In addition, concession stands and restroom college graduation ceremonies. facilities are located on both the first and second floors. The floor was repainted during the summer of 2006 and With the seats pulled back, there are three full-size exhibits the new Southern Conference logo and “Spike,” basketball and volleyball courts for practice. During the logo of The Citadel athletics. inclement weather, The Citadel’s baseball, football, tennis
Vandiver Hall
Coaches’ offices, locker rooms and the Bulldogs’ wrestling room are all located in Vandiver Hall. Vandiver Hall was built in 1991 and is a multipurpose athletic complex.
The Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa was born in Springfield, Ill., Sept. 28, 1951. After graduating high school in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1969, he was recruited to play football at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. While at The Citadel, Rosa was the starting Bulldog quarterback in 1970 and went on to earn three varsity letters in football. He graduated from The Citadel in 1973 with a degree in business administration and was awarded a commission in the Air Force. A command fighter pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours, Rosa enjoyed an illustrious 32-year career in the Air Force. Among his career highlights, he was stationed in Lossiemouth, Scotland, as an American exchange officer flying the Jaguar for the Royal Air Force. He has commanded at squadron, group and wing levels at air bases in Georgia, Idaho, New Mexico, South Carolina, and South Korea. He served as inspector general for Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and commandant of The Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. As deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C., he was in charge of the National Military Command Center and served as the military spokesman for the Pentagon when U.S. troops were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002. In July 2003, he was named superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and in September of that year, he was promoted to lieutenant general. He remained in that position until his retirement from active duty in November 2005. On Jan. 3, 2006, Rosa returned to The Citadel where he serves as 19th president. Rosa holds a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University. He is a graduate of the Air Force Command and Staff College, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He has also studied at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He has flown the A-7, A-10, Hunter and Jaguar aircrafts, F-16, F-117A, HH-60G and HC-130. He is married to Donna Kangeter, a Charleston native. They have two sons, Jonathan and Brad (’03), and a grandson, Michael Bradley, who is the son of Jonathan and his wife, Elisha.
At a school where leadership is taught and duty is part of the curriculum, The Citadel has the right person to lead its Department of Athletics in Les Robinson. A virtual Who’s Who in intercollegiate athletics and one of the region’s most sought-after speakers, Robinson is in his seventh year as the Bulldogs’ Director of Athletics. Possessing more than four decades of college athletics experience to his credit, Robinson, who also served as athletics director and basketball coach at North Carolina State and East Tennessee State, is only the fifth athletics director in Citadel history. He served as the Bulldogs’ basketball coach from 1974-85, having spent the five previous seasons as an assistant coach. In his first six years leading The Citadel’s athletics program, Robinson’s skills as a proven fundraiser have already benefited The Citadel Brigadier Foundation. During the past four years, the school witnessed the opening of the Altman Athletic Center at Johnson Hagood Stadium and the addition to McAlister Field House for women’s athletics. The Citadel, under Robinson’s guidance, has hosted the Southern Conference crosscountry championships, the first two rounds of the women’s basketball championships, the men’s and women’s tennis championships and the baseball tournament. A 1965 graduate of N.C. State, Robinson served five years as a Bulldog assistant coach under Dick Campbell and George Hill, and eventually spent 11 seasons as The Citadel’s head basketball coach from 1974-85. He directed the 1978-79 and 1984-85 teams to 20 and 18 victories, respectively. Robinson was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 1979 and was tabbed South Carolina’s Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1985. Following his tenure at The Citadel, Robinson became the head basketball coach at East Tennessee State, where he coached the Buccaneers for five years, increasing their win total (7-14-20-27) each year. The West Virginia native remains the only coach in Southern Conference men’s basketball history to earn league coach of the year honors at two different schools, and he ranks fifth on the conference’s list of basketball wins. Robinson earned a bachelor of science degree in education and recreation from N.C. State in 1965 and added a master’s degree in education and guidance from Western Carolina in 1969. Robinson is married to the former Barbara Simon of St. Albans, W.Va. The Robinsons, who have maintained a home on Sullivan’s Island since coaching at The Citadel, have four children and eight grandchildren.
This is THE CITADEL
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is a unique public institution with the mission of educating principled leaders through its Corps of Cadets and College of Graduate and Professional Studies program. Located in historic Charleston, S.C., The Citadel offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities, business, math, science, engineering and education. The Citadel’s reputation for academic excellence is reinforced by annual rankings from U.S. News & World Report that place The Citadel as number two in public colleges granting master’s degrees in the South. The engineering school is nationally ranked at number 27. With an enrollment of more than 1,900, the Corps of Cadets is the nation’s largest military college program outside the service academies. All cadets are educated within a classic military system and about 40 percent of the graduating seniors earn military commissions. The remaining graduates attend graduate school or enter the job market. The College of Graduate and Professional Studies, which is noted for Citadel excellence in a civilian environment, serves about 1,200 residents of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Academic programs at the collge are complimented by a strong commitment to service and emphatic support of an honor code that calls upon a cadet not to lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do. Since its founding in 1842, The Citadel’s emphasis on character, as well as intellect, has produced generations of graduates who have served their nation, their professions and their communities with distinction.
THE CITADEL The Citadel is a state-supported comprehensive military college. Males and females are admitted to the undergraduate residential Corps of Cadets. In addition to the day program, undergraduate and graduate programs are offered through the College of Graduate Studies (CGPS) in the evening. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education recognizes The Citadel as the only specialized four-year college in the state. The Citadel, founded in 1842, is a coeducational military college with a rich and storied history. Located in Charleston, S.C., the institution offers a classic military education for young men and women who seek a college experience that is ful
meaning-
Corps of Cadets ...
academically
All students at The Citadel are
intense, and
Citadel
cadets in the South Carolina
graduates say that the
Corps of Cadets, which num-
disciplined lifestyle and
bers approximately 1,900 and
friendships they forged
represents nearly every state,
here have a profoundly
as well as more than 20 coun-
positive effect on their
tries. While only about a third of
lives.
the graduates each year go into
strong.
Most
the armed services, all cadets participate in an ROTC program. On most days, cadets have physical fitness training and military instruction in addition to their regular college classes. Weekdays end with a formation and required evening study period. Because The Citadel emphasizes corps unity, cadets cannot be married and all must live on campus in the barracks with their assigned company. Despite the challenges, cadets value their first year for the lessons in teamwork, selfdiscipline and time management. The disciplined lifestyle that begins in the knob year binds cadets into a lifelong, close-knit camaraderie that is one of the strongest forces in their lives after graduation.