SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI’s Neal Richards has been named the Southern Conference wrestler of the week for all competition from Feb. 13-19, the league office announced Wednesday. This selection was his fifth of the year.
Richards continued his winning streak last week, beating Campbell’s 17th-ranked Andrew Morgan on Saturday by a decisive 14-7 margin.
The South Chesterfield, Virginia, native is now 25-3 on the season in the with nine pins, five technical falls, five major decisions and is 5-0 in conference action. Richards is the sixth wrestler in conference history to be named wrestler of the week five times in their career, joining the ranks of The Citadel’s Sean Markey (2002-06), Chattanooga’s Matt Keller (2005-07), Chattanooga’s Nick Soto (2011-14) and The Citadel’s Turtogtokhi Luvsandorj (2009-14). Richards is the first wrestler in SoCon history to be named wrestler of the week five times in a single season.
The Keydets wrap up their regular season slate when they welcome The Citadel on Saturday.
Also nominated: Cary Miller (Appalachian State), Sawyer Root (The Citadel) and Josh Heil (Campbell),
2018-19 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 7 Fabian Gutierrez, Chattanooga
Nov. 14 Angel Najar, Appalachian State
Nov. 21 Andrew Morgan, Campbell
Nov. 27 Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
Dec. 5 Sawyer Root, The Citadel
Dec. 12 Neal Richards, VMI
Dec. 19 Michael Elliott, Appalachian State
Dec. 26 Jake Huffine, Chattanooga
Jan. 2 Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
Jan. 9 Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga
Jan. 16 Neal Richards, VMI
Jan. 23 Neal Richards, VMI
Jan. 30 Neal Richards, VMI
Feb. 6 Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb
Feb. 13 Connor Tolley, Chattanooga
Feb. 20 Neal Richards, VMI