Pioneers Wrestling Out Of National Tournament

SPOKANE, WA -- The SMC Pioneer wrestling team is headed home from the NJCAA Division I national tournament after a fierce day of competition Friday.

Each of SMC's national qualifiers -- sophomores Luke Campbell, Jesse Deyo, Andrew Tillman, Alex Tozzolino and Nick Voss, along with freshman Keyshon Flores -- were sent to the consolation round after the first round of the tournament.

Campbell went out in the first round of consolation play. His fellow Pioneers were not able to make it past the second round of consolation in their respective weight classes

It's the first time in more than five years an SMC wrestler has not earned All-American status at the tournament.

"This is the first year I have not had an All-American. It was a tough tournament, but it always is," says head coach Robbie Higdon.

"We have had a great group of wrestlers this year. These guys all wrestled their hearts outs and I'm very proud of them. But I am already hot on the recruiting trail for next year at the same time," he adds.

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The College is in its 100th academic year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.
 
For more information please contact athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237.