Richards Earns Third Wrestler of the Week Award
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI red-shirt junior Neal Richards has been named the Southern Conference wrestler of the week for all competition from Jan. 16-22 the league office announced Wednesday. This selection was his third of the year, including last week.
Richards won both of his matches this week against stiff competition. He defeated Drew Peck of the University of Virginia Friday 19-4 via technical fall in 5:44. Richards again won by technical fall Sunday against Hunter Fortner of Chattanooga, 21-6 in 4:53.
The South Chesterfield, Va., native has won 12-straight matches, a streak dating back to November 18. He won his previous five matches before his last loss, which was to 2018 NCAA National runner-up and 2017 National Champion Mark Hall of Penn State. He is 19-3 on the season with six pins, four technical falls and five major decisions.
Richards joins the ranks of Jason Cox (2000-04) as only the second Keydet in conference history to win the award three times over the course of their collegiate careers. Richards is also the second wrestler in SoCon history to win the award three times in a single season, the last being The Citadel’s Ugi Khishignyam during the 2012-13 season.
The Keydets will travel to Northfield, Vt., on Saturday to compete in the All-Academy Championship.
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
