After a recent string of losses, the Appalachian State wrestling team will face a Southern Conference foe on the road as they prepare for the postseason.
App State wrestling has recently experienced a four-match skid of losses to The Citadel, Duke and Chattanooga, and a 42-0 blowout at the hands of No. 11 Virginia.
The Mountaineers have a chance to improve their record against Davidson (6-13, 1-5 SoCon) before the season’s end.
Despite recent struggles, head coach John Mark Bentley plans to stay the course and expects things to come together for his squad.
“It’s no different,” Bentley said of his team’s mindset. “We’ve had a few tough losses, but this team is getting better. We have to keep working on the process.”
“We have a very real shot at a winning record and to be tied for second place in the SoCon. With as young as this team is, that’s nothing to hang your head over.”
Senior Brett Boston gave the team and fans something to smile about during Appalachian’s final home game of the season against Chattanooga Feb. 3 when he recorded his 50th career win by way of a 46-second pin against 133-pound Marvin Lopez.
“I was nervous, but I wanted to go out with a bang,” Boston said. “I got him in a cradle and after that I don’t know what happened. I was so excited. I was so pumped.”
Bentley hopes Boston can keep his domination up.
“It was nice to see him do that at his last home match,” Bentley said. “We’re really hoping he carries his momentum over the last few matches this season.”
Redshirt sophomore Dominic Parisi has also attracted attention lately by being named the 22nd best 125-pound wrestler in the nation by NCAA’s first Rating Percentage Index for the 2012-13 wrestling season.
“Being ranked is good, but 22nd isn’t even good enough,” Parisi said. “I personally feel that I am capable of being [ranked] higher than 22. I want to be top 15, top 10.”
Parisi was joined on the RPI by 165-pound redshirt freshman Zack Strickland (ranked 30th) and 174-pound redshirt freshman Colin Hedash (ranked 32th).
Story: JESSE WARE, Sports Reporter