Citadel Blanks Anderson, and Spartanburg Methodist College is starting a program 2-01-03

BIGGEST NEWS IS SPARTANBURG METHODIST COLLEGE IS STARTING A WRESTLING
PROGRAM. This will be only the third program in South Carolina when it starts
up next year. It will be a Junior College program and the school has stated
it is looking to bring in 30 student athletes next year. More information
will be given when it comes available.

       Last week the only two college wrestling programs in our great state
took to the mats for the annual "South Carolina Intercollegiate State
Championships" and The Citadel showed how far they have raised the bar down
in Charleston. The Citadel blew out Anderson in fine fashion in front of a
very bias Dutch Fork/Anderson crowd. You see the match took place at Dutch
Fork, which was a great idea to help try and get our college wrestling teams
some exposure in the state. Many fans turned out but a rather bias or
one-sided crowd was in attendance and that was understandable. See Anderson
College has 4 former wrestlers competing in the match and 6 former wrestlers
are apart of the team. First off Clyde Pollock started at 125, Steve Valponi
at 141, Brent Poynter at 165, and Careef Robertson at 174. Also on the team
is Mike Ellis taking advantage of a redshirt year and as an Asst. Coach Ryan
Hardy was they’re helping the team in all possible ways. Looks like Anderson
has found a nice feeder program in the state to send them top quality
individuals. Well getting back to the match The Citadel came out on top 43-0
with big wins coming from former South Carolina stars Ryan McClester over
Pollock at 125 14-3, Steve Valponi was defeated at 141 by The Citadels Mike
Martinez 4-3, Vince Bartges got a nice win over Anderson at 149lbs 14-7,
Andersons Brent Poynter was defeated 5-3 at 165, as well as Careef Robertson
at 174 by The Citadels Keith Clifton 2-1 on Riding Time, and John Bohren got
the crowd on their feet with his pin at 184, only the 3rd one of the night.
This was a great night for college wrestling in the state and a great
showcase for the two schools. I would think both colleges are looking at
continuing this event at different high schools every year.
Last weekend was a big weekend for Citadel and Anderson. Both competed in dual
matches with top opponents. The Citadel defeated its 3rd ACC opponent this
weekend in Virginia University and improved its conference standing with a
big win over Davidson College. Anderson College got a big win over Delaware
State 33-10 but slipped against Duke and fell 29-6. In the Delaware State vs.
Anderson match we got one of a few South Carolina Stars wrestling against
another South Carolina Star. Steve Valponi took on Delaware States Myron
Drayton and Drayton came out on top 9-5.

AND THIS PAST WEEKEND THE CITADEL FINISHED 5th at the All Academy
Championships with two champs, two runner-ups, a third placer and a 4th
placer. Ryan McClester and Sean Markey became only the 4th and 5th All
Academy Champs from The Citadel in the Tournaments 8 year history. McClester
defeated nationally ranked Heath McKim of Air Force in the finals 4-2 and
Sean pinned his Air Force opponent. Keith Clifton was a runner-up at 174 as
well as Jordan Everett at 197. Finishing in third place for The Citadel was
Travis Piccard who lost in the Semis to nationally ranked and eventual champ
Adam Britt of VMI but defeated Nationally Ranked Jeremy Conner of Army for
3rd. Vince Bartges was Third for The Citadel at 149 for the Second year in a
row.

And last but not least Andy King was a runner-up in the Apprentice School
Invite Feb. 1, 2003 losing to Davey Blake of McDaniel College in the Finals
2-1 in 2OT. On January 19 Andy and Adam Bessinger finished 4th at the
Virginia Intercollegiate. This was a great honor for both wrestlers because
the Va. Intercollegiate is a tough tournament with many top division one
programs. Both Andy and Adam defeated tough wrestlers from D 1 schools and
also both fell in close matches to the eventual champs. Congrats to both
wrestlers and keep up the hard work.