BOONE, N.C. — After winning a matchup of top-25 wrestlers in dramatic fashion and recording a quick pin in the next dual, App State senior
Codi Russell has been named the Southern Conference's Wrestler of the Week.
A native of Atlanta, Russell improved to 6-0 in SoCon duals this season with a 4-3 decision against Fabien Gutierrez of Chattanooga and a win by fall just 71 seconds into his match against Presbyterian's Benny Gomez on Senior Day in Varsity Gym.
Russell is now 9-1 overall this season with six wins via bonus points at 125 pounds. He is in the top 25 of all five of the major rankings: WrestleStat (No. 18) Open Mat (No. 19), FloWrestling (No. 20), Intermat (No. 20) and TrackWrestling (No. 22).
Russell erased a 3-2 deficit against Gutierrez, who entered last weekend with a national ranking of No. 21, on a takedown with 53 seconds left in the third period. Russell then prevented a tying escape the rest of the way despite several close calls, giving App State its first win in a 20-13 victory against the Mocs.
A two-time NCAA qualifier who wrestled at 133 pounds before this season, Russell is 70-36 in his App State career, including 22-4 in SoCon duals.
The 2020-21 wrestling season is presented by Hungry Howies and Penn Station.
