Richards Earns SoCon Wrestler of the Week Again
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI red-shirt junior Neal Richards earned the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week award Wednesday for all competition from January 9-15. It is his second SoCon Wrestler of the Week citation this season, also claiming the top award in mid-December.
Richards won his 10th straight match Sunday in Southern Conference action against visiting Appalachian State University. He won his contest at 174 pounds quickly, pinning his Mountaineer opponent in just 1:07, the shortest match of the afternoon.
Richards, from South Chesterfield, Va., is now 17-3 on the season with six victories by pin. He also has two technical falls and five major decisions - and is 10-0 in dual matches and is 2-0 in Southern Conference competition.
“Neal’s been consistently training at a high level, and his results as of late are an example of that,” said head coach Jim Gibson. “Anytime you can win 10 matches in a row at this level, it’s a big deal.”
For his career, Richards has a 63-22 overall record, including a 29-7 mark in dual matches.
VMI hosts the University of Virginia Friday night in Cormack Hall at 7:30 p.m.
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
