MANHEIM, Pa. – For the first time in program history, Appalachian State cracked the top 25 of the USA Today/National Wrestling Coaches Association poll on Tuesday, coming in at No. 25. The Mountaineers (8-2, 3-0 SoCon) received votes in the previous two editions of the poll, as well.

“What a testament to the work our wrestlers and coaches have put in over the last couple years,” said coach JohnMark Bentley. “This is a big deal for both our program and Appalachian State Athletics.”

The Mountaineers have won their last five dual matches, starting with a win over Duke, which was ranked No. 24 at the time. Since beating Duke, Appalachian has tallied wins over Clarion, Buffalo, Campbell and SIUE. The Apps' only two setbacks came at the hands of No. 3 NC State and No. 15 North Carolina.

Appalachian has earned SoCon Wrestler of the Week honors five times, with Denzel Dejournette winning three times and Nick Kee and Forrest Przybysz claiming the honor once each. Dejournette was also named SoCon Wrestling Athlete of the Month for November.

App State is the only Southern Conference school that is ranked in the top 25. SoCon rival Chattanooga was first in the ‘others receiving votes category’ with nine points.

It is the first time, outside of App State football being ranked in the FCS poll, that any of App State sports teams have been ranked in the top 25 of a major national poll since App State baseball was ranked No. 24 in Baseball America’s May 14, 2012, poll.

The Black and Gold return to the mat on Jan. 20 in Charleston, S.C., for a Southern Conference battle with The Citadel.