BOONE, N.C. — For the second time in a week, App State Wrestling is set to host a first-place showdown between SoCon teams with unbeaten league records.
The Citadel (8-6, 4-0) will visit Varsity Gym on Sunday for a 2 p.m. matchup against App State (7-5, 4-0). It will be the annual Old Timers Match to recognize App State Wrestling alums, and first responders attending the match will receive free admission.
Doors open to the public at 1 p.m.
App State opened the week Monday with a 30-6 home victory against Bellarmine, which arrived in Boone with a 3-0 conference record. That result left just two teams with unbeaten league records, as The Citadel had prevailed at Chattanooga two days earlier in a dual that ended in an 18-all tie and was decided by the fact that the Bulldogs had the lone pin of the night. They then overcame a 10-0 deficit in a 19-13 win at Gardner-Webb on Friday night.
App State and The Citadel finished first and second in the 2025 SoCon Championship tournament, while Chattanooga was voted by coaches as the preseason favorite in the 2026 race, followed by The Citadel, App State and Bellarmine.
App State has taken 33 of 40 matches in its four league victories, with unbeaten conference records to date from No. 30
Kaden Keiser (4-0 at 149 pounds),
Colt Campbell (4-0 at 174), No. 25
Tomas Brooker (3-0 at 184),
Logan Eller (3-0 at 197) and
Stephan Monchery (4-0 at heavyweight).
The Citadel has three returning SoCon champs in Gylon Sims (125 pounds), Carson DesRosier (149 pounds) and Thomas Snipes (165). In the first set of NCAA Coaches' Rankings, the Bulldogs are represented at all three weights from 149-165, with DesRosier at No. 33, redshirt freshman Kyrel Leavell ranked No. 25 at 157 and Snipes at No. 19. The Citadel won in the 125, 149, 165, 184 and heavyweight divisions at Chattanooga.
The Bulldogs have continued to be a formidable squad after losing head coach and former App State assistant Ryan LeBlanc to Binghamton in late August, triggering a promotion to interim head coach for top assistant Luke Welch, and news broke in late September that NCAA qualifier Patrick Brophy would be transferring from The Citadel to NC State to compete in the second semester.
For fans attending Sunday, tickets in advance of match day
are available online at $10 for general admission, with a $5 order charge. Tickets purchased on match day are $15 at the door.
Home duals are
streamed live on FloWrestling, which has a subscription model.
The Rivers Street Deck across from Varsity Gym is the most popular parking option for wrestling events, with fans entering the corner of the gym adjacent to the loading dock area off Rivers Street.
Fans should be aware that Varsity Gym has a clear bag policy for visitors. According to App State's clear bag policies:
- Approved bags include clear plastic bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
- Bags that are not approved include diaper bags, backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, tinted or printed pattern plastic bags, fanny packs, oversized tote bags & mesh bags, and purses exceeding 4.5" x 6.5".
App State's 2025-26 season is presented by Hungry Howie's and Penn Station.
