SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Appalachian State 125-pounder Vito Pasone has been named the Southern Conference wrestler of the week for all competition from Dec. 14-20. The selection is made by the league office.

Pasone faced three wrestlers ranked in the top 11 on the week, going 2-1 and jumping into the national rankings himself. He helped the Mountaineers move from No. 21 to No. 17 with a pair of dual wins in SoCon action.

The redshirt senior from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, opened his week with a 9-3 win over No. 11 Nathan Kraisser as Appalachian State downed Campbell on Dec. 14, 24-13. On Sunday, Pasone picked up another ranked win, downing No. 8 Freddie Rodriguez of SIUE with a 22-7 technical fall as the Mountaineers earned another league win, 39-4.

After those performances, Pasone moved into the national rankings at No. 18 in the FloWrestling charts and No. 19 in the InterMat rankings.

He closed his week Tuesday against No. 7 Barlow McGhee of Missouri, which is ranked fifth in the USA Today/NWCA poll and sixth by InterMat. Pasone’s five-match winning streak came to an end as McGhee earned the 11-3 win. The Tigers claimed the 24-13 team victory.

Appalachian State (7-2, 3-0 SoCon), whose two dual losses are to Missouri and No. 9 NC State, returns to action at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Jan. 1-2. The Mountaineers resume dual action when they host The Citadel (1-1, 0-0) and Clarion on Jan. 8.

Also nominated: Douglas Gudenburr (The Citadel), Chris Vassar (Gardner-Webb) and Bryce Carr (Chattanooga).

2016-17 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 9 Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Nov. 16 David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State
Nov. 23 Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
Dec. 7 Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Dec. 14 Jake McKiernan, SIUE
Dec. 21 Vito Pasone, Appalachian State

-www.SoConSports.com-