KEY: $ - National Champion contender
* - All American Contender
& - Dark horse All American contender
^ - NCAA Qualifier
% - Dark horse NCAA qualifier
* - All American Contender
& - Dark horse All American contender
^ - NCAA Qualifier
% - Dark horse NCAA qualifier
Southern
Conference
125
& Dominic Parasi Senior Appalachian State
* Sean Boyle Senior Tennessee-Chattanooga
The Mountaineers Parasi is one of those wrestlers that you’ve never heard of before that suddenly comes out of nowhere to defeat to higher ranked wrestlers. He did so two years ago at the NCAA tournament as a sophomore defeating both Virginia Tech’s Jarrod Garnett and Wyoming’s Tyler Cox, who both went on to become All Americans that tournament. To my recollection, Parasi is the only wrestler in the history of the NCAA tournament to defeat two wrestlers in the first and second round of the tournament that came back to All American in the wrestlebacks. Most fans have forgotten about those victories of Parasi’s and his ability to be very dangerous when the time arises to be dangerous. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Parasi pull out an upset or two at the NCAA tournament or possibly upend Boyle for the conference title. Speaking of Boyle, if there were an award for most improved wrestler of the year, he would most certainly be in contention for it. They say a change of scenery is sometimes the best thing for a person and perhaps that is the case for Boyle. He wrestled well as a Wolverine for the University of Michigan, but he has really turned it up this year as a UT-Chattanooga Moc. Currently ranked 8th in the nation, Boyle currently holds a 20-5 record, with victories over Oklahoma State’s Eddie Klimara, Edinboro’s Kory Mines and Cleveland State’s Ben Willeford, all of whom are ranked. His most impressive showing to date was his performance at the Southern Scuffle.
& Dominic Parasi Senior Appalachian State
* Sean Boyle Senior Tennessee-Chattanooga
The Mountaineers Parasi is one of those wrestlers that you’ve never heard of before that suddenly comes out of nowhere to defeat to higher ranked wrestlers. He did so two years ago at the NCAA tournament as a sophomore defeating both Virginia Tech’s Jarrod Garnett and Wyoming’s Tyler Cox, who both went on to become All Americans that tournament. To my recollection, Parasi is the only wrestler in the history of the NCAA tournament to defeat two wrestlers in the first and second round of the tournament that came back to All American in the wrestlebacks. Most fans have forgotten about those victories of Parasi’s and his ability to be very dangerous when the time arises to be dangerous. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Parasi pull out an upset or two at the NCAA tournament or possibly upend Boyle for the conference title. Speaking of Boyle, if there were an award for most improved wrestler of the year, he would most certainly be in contention for it. They say a change of scenery is sometimes the best thing for a person and perhaps that is the case for Boyle. He wrestled well as a Wolverine for the University of Michigan, but he has really turned it up this year as a UT-Chattanooga Moc. Currently ranked 8th in the nation, Boyle currently holds a 20-5 record, with victories over Oklahoma State’s Eddie Klimara, Edinboro’s Kory Mines and Cleveland State’s Ben Willeford, all of whom are ranked. His most impressive showing to date was his performance at the Southern Scuffle.
133
& Nick Soto Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
I really thought that by his senior season, after having impressive victories throughout his entire collegiate career that Soto would have cemented himself as an All American candidate by now, but he is no more consistent today as a veteran senior, than he was yesteryear as a rookie freshman. This year he has pulled some stints on the mat that have made me question why I ever thought of him as an All American candidate and at the exact same time he’s had some wins that have restored my faith in him. He literally has the tools and the talent to defeat just about anyone at 133. The question is whether he will or not.
149
^Dylan Cottrell junior Appalachian State
^ Shawn Greevy Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
Cottrell is king of the mountain in the Southern Conference gunning for his third of what will most likely one day be four conference titles, yet outside of the Southern Conference he seems to have trouble breaking out of 9-15 range, into the top 8. He is currently ranked 9th, which seems very close to 8th, only one spot away, but in this particular case, I feel that the difference between #8 and #9 is quite significant. I feel that at the particular time he is a Round of 12 wrestler at best. Greevy is a solid wrestler, who should qualify for the Mocs.
157
*Aaron Walker sophomore Citadel
The Bulldogs Aaron Walker looks to be the best hope for an All American out of the Southern Conference this year. Currently ranked #11 in what is arguably the most loaded weight class in the nation, Walker made a name for himself as the Southern Scuffle when he pinned Penn State All American Dylan Alton.
165
^ Aaron Trott sophomore Gardner-Webb
Trott should be at least one of two NCAA qualifiers for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
174
^Levi Clemons Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
^ Hunter Gamble Sophomore Gardner-Webb
Both Clemons and Gamble have wrestled well enough this season to earn rankings and what should be NCAA qualifications, as long as everything else around the country goes as should on qualification day.
I didn’t do 141, 184, 197 or HWT because I don’t feel that anyone at these weight classes has really signified themselves as the forerunner SOCON conference champion and qualifier yet. I would like to see the Southern Conference become tougher as I believe that it’d be healthy for teams in this region to start dominating and having success. I believe that teams such as the Citadel in South Carolina and Chattanooga in Tennessee being successful could lead to other schools in the area wanting to add or reinstate their wrestling programs. For the time being however, the Southern Conference albeit a few standouts here and there, is the weakest among the 9 conferences.
& Nick Soto Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
I really thought that by his senior season, after having impressive victories throughout his entire collegiate career that Soto would have cemented himself as an All American candidate by now, but he is no more consistent today as a veteran senior, than he was yesteryear as a rookie freshman. This year he has pulled some stints on the mat that have made me question why I ever thought of him as an All American candidate and at the exact same time he’s had some wins that have restored my faith in him. He literally has the tools and the talent to defeat just about anyone at 133. The question is whether he will or not.
149
^Dylan Cottrell junior Appalachian State
^ Shawn Greevy Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
Cottrell is king of the mountain in the Southern Conference gunning for his third of what will most likely one day be four conference titles, yet outside of the Southern Conference he seems to have trouble breaking out of 9-15 range, into the top 8. He is currently ranked 9th, which seems very close to 8th, only one spot away, but in this particular case, I feel that the difference between #8 and #9 is quite significant. I feel that at the particular time he is a Round of 12 wrestler at best. Greevy is a solid wrestler, who should qualify for the Mocs.
157
*Aaron Walker sophomore Citadel
The Bulldogs Aaron Walker looks to be the best hope for an All American out of the Southern Conference this year. Currently ranked #11 in what is arguably the most loaded weight class in the nation, Walker made a name for himself as the Southern Scuffle when he pinned Penn State All American Dylan Alton.
165
^ Aaron Trott sophomore Gardner-Webb
Trott should be at least one of two NCAA qualifiers for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
174
^Levi Clemons Senior Tennessee Chattanooga
^ Hunter Gamble Sophomore Gardner-Webb
Both Clemons and Gamble have wrestled well enough this season to earn rankings and what should be NCAA qualifications, as long as everything else around the country goes as should on qualification day.
I didn’t do 141, 184, 197 or HWT because I don’t feel that anyone at these weight classes has really signified themselves as the forerunner SOCON conference champion and qualifier yet. I would like to see the Southern Conference become tougher as I believe that it’d be healthy for teams in this region to start dominating and having success. I believe that teams such as the Citadel in South Carolina and Chattanooga in Tennessee being successful could lead to other schools in the area wanting to add or reinstate their wrestling programs. For the time being however, the Southern Conference albeit a few standouts here and there, is the weakest among the 9 conferences.
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