BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The two final unbeaten Southern Conference wrestling squads will meet in Carter Gym Thursday, with No. 20 Campbell hosting Appalachian State at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday's bout will be the home finale for the Camels, who will celebrate their five seniors,
Charlie Andrews,
Noah Gonser,
Jere Heino,
Austin McNeill and
Quentin Perez, following the match.
Watch Saturday's matchup via
Facebook Live, and follow live results on
Trackwrestling, and
Twitter for updates.
The Camels (8-2, 4-0 SoCon), riding a six-match winning streak that includes four SoCon bouts, are coming off a
26-11 win over Chattanooga.
Up 12-7 heading to the 157 pound match, CU claimed four straight decisions to go ahead 21-7, securing the win over the visiting Mocs. Six Camels are now at least 3-0 in SoCon action, including
Noah Gonser (4-0),
Josh Heil (3-0),
Quentin Perez (4-0),
Austin Kraisser (4-0),
Andrew Morgan (3-0) and
Jere Heino (4-0).
Each of Gonser's four SoCon wins have resulted in pins.
Campbell remains in the national team rankings, maintaining No. 20 in this week's NWCA poll, and as high as No. 16 by Intermat.
Eight different Camels are also ranked individually by at least one poll. FloWrestling ranks five Camels, including
Andrew Morgan at No. 6 at 184 pounds, while Gonser at 133 is No. 8.
Josh Heil is No. 10 at 141 pounds, with Heino No. 14 at heavyweight and Perez No. 18 at 165.
The Open Mat also ranks 149-pounder
Jason Kraisser at 31, and
Chris Kober No. 32 at 197 (as of Feb. 10).
Korbin Meink was one of six Camels listed in the initial NCAA Coaches' Panel, ranking No. 31 at 125 pounds.
The Mountaineers are also 8-2 overall on the season, carrying a 5-0 SoCon record following last week's 44-0 win at The Citadel and a 27-12 victory at Chattanooga. Appalachian State will bring three wrestlers individually ranked in FloWrestling's February 10 polls, including No. 22 Jonathan Millner at 149, No. 20 Matt Zovistoski at 157 and No. 24 Cary Miller at heavyweight.
The Camels and Mountaineers have split the last four SoCon tournament championships, with Campbell taking the title in 2017 and 2019, and App. State topping the standings in 2016 and 2018. CU claimed last season's dual matchup with the Mountaineers,
19-17, on the road.
Next up, Campbell will head to VMI on February 15, wrapping up the regular season on the road at Davidson on February 22. The
2020 SoCon Championships are set for March 8 in Boone, N.C.
