Four Citadel wrestlers qualify for NCAA Championships

The Citadel wrestling team is sending four athletes to the NCAA Wrestling Championships this weekend. The competitors are Gylon Sims, Carson DesRosier, Thomas Snipes, and Patrick Brophy. This is a significant achievement for the team, as it is the first time in over ten years that The Citadel has had this many wrestlers qualify for the championships. Head coach Ryan LeBlanc, who was part of the team in 2014 when five wrestlers qualified, expressed pride in the athletes’ hard work. "It’s huge that these guys have been able to work this hard and see their work rewarded," he said. The NCAA Championships will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia from March 20 to March 22, with some matches being televised on ESPN channels. Sims will wrestle Virginia Tech’s Eddie Ventresca in the opening round. DesRosier faces Colin Realbuto from Northern Iowa, while Snipes takes on Andrew Sparks from Minnesota. Brophy will compete against Luke Surber from Oklahoma State. Snipes, who earned SoCon Tournament MVP honors, reflected on his journey. He said that he dreamed of competing in the tournament since childhood and is ready for the challenge. The top eight finishers in each weight class will earn All-American status. The Citadel has had four All-Americans in its wrestling history. Notably, President Donald Trump is expected to attend the event, adding to its significance.