BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling ranked tied for first in the 2016-17 Southern Conference wrestling preseason coaches poll, the league announced on Thursday.
The reigning Southern Conference Champion Mountaineers are coming off a historic year, being ranked in USA Today/NWCA Top 25, having Denzel Dejournette and coach JohnMark Bentley win Wrester of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively. Appalachian also sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Wrestling Championship and 20 to the University Freestyle Nationals Tournament.
With 44 points and three first-place votes, the Mountaineers are tied with Chattanooga, who the Black and Gold defeated last year 22-15.