Wrestling Southern Conference

Clifton and McClester Honored For Academic Success

Charleston, SC - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NCWA) announced Friday that Citadel juniors Keith Clifton and Ryan McClester were named to the NCWA All-Academic team. This marks the fourth year in a row that at least one Bulldog grappler has received this honor.

Keith Clifton, a 174-pound redshirt junior from Collyville, TX finished the year with a 3.551 GPA in business administration. He also was the SoCon champion and NCAA qualifier in the 174-pound weight class and finished the season with a record of 32-12.

Ryan McClester, the 2004 Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year, SoCon Champion and NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds, finished the 2004 season with a record of 39-7. A junior from Lugoff, SC, McClester carried a 3.244 GPA while majoring in Political Science.

Both wrestlers helped lead The Citadel to its first Southern Conference Championship since 1967. The cadets are the only Southern Conference representatives on the 2004 squad, while the Bulldog squad ranked in the Top-30 All-Academic teams nationally.