The Citadel Bulldogs wrestling team represents The Citadel of Charleston, South Carolina. The squad is led by head coach Ryan LeBlanc, and assistant coach Luke Welch. The Bulldogs are members of the Southern Conference and have won conference championships in 1967 and 2004.
| The Citadel Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | The Citadel |
| Athletic director | Mike Capaccio |
| Head Coach | Ryan LeBlanc (1st season) |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Location | Charleston, SC |
| Arena | McAlister Field House (Capacity: 6,000) |
| Nickname | Bulldogs, Cadets |
| Colors | Infantry blue and white[1] |
| All-Americans | |
| 4 | |
| Conference championships | |
| 68 (individual) | |
| Conference Tournament championships | |
| 1967, 2004 | |
History edit
The Citadel wrestling team highest placement in school history was in 2013, when they finished 20th in the final NCAA Wrestling Team Championship standings.[2] Vandiver Hall is the practice facility on campus for the wrestling team, while McAlister Field House hosts home dual meets and tournaments, also located on campus.[3] The Citadel has also hosted outdoor matches three times, using the quadrangle within one of the open-air barracks. The most recent such event was a loss to Arizona State on November 11, 2012.[4]
Turtog Luvsandorj (2009–2014) is the career leader in wins at The Citadel with 134, a record he claimed on February 16, 2014, during back-to-back dual match wins over Duke and North Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.[5]
Four Bulldog wrestlers have placed in the top 8 of their weight class to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Dan Thompson was the first to earn the honor, earning a 7th-place finish at 165 lbs in 2006. In 2013, Ugi Khishignyam finished 4th at 141 lbs, while teammate Odie Delaney finished 7th at 285 lbs. In 2014, five Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Championships, with Turtog Luvsandorj earning All-American status with a 6th-place finish at 165 lbs.[6][7]
Coaching staff edit
Ryan LeBlanc is the current head coach.[8] LeBlanc competed collegiately at Indiana University. He is assisted by Luke Welch, who competed collegiately at Purdue University.[9]
References edit
- ^ "Colors: Thw Citadel Brand Guidelines". Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- ^ "Citadel Wrestling Southern Conference" (PDF). The Citadel Athletics. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ "Citadel Wrestling". The Citadel Athletics. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ Roger Moore (January 7, 2013). "ASU, Citadel take the mats outsidee". NCAA. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ "Luvsandorj sets Citadel record as Bulldogs top North Carolina, Duke in wrestling". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. February 16, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ Jeff Hartsell (March 22, 2013). "Citadel wrestlers Delaney, Khishgnyam claim All-America honors". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Jeff Hartsell (March 21, 2014). "Citadel wrestler Turtog Luvsandorj claims All-America honors". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^ Ryan LeBlanc - Wrestling Coach. citadelsports.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Luke Welch - Wrestling Coach. citadelsports.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.