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SPORTS

Wildcat Wrestling Looking to Take Another Step Forward in 2021

by | Jan 14, 2021 | News, Sports

Davidson wrestling looks to a unique 2021 schedule

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson wrestling hopes to build off a strong showing at the 2020 Southern Conference Championship when they return to the mat for a conference-only and condensed schedule in 2021.

THE LONE SENIOR
North Carolina native Will Baldwin is the lone senior on the roster in 2021 and looks to help the coaching staff lead the young ‘Cats to success in his final campaign. Baldwin joins junior Kyle Gorant and sophomore Gavin Henry as captains this season.

THE NEXT STEP 
Davidson had a pair of podium finishes in 2020 as Kyle Gorant (133) and Gavin Henry (184) each placed third at the SoCon Championship. Gorant led the team with 14 wins, including four pins. Henry had seven wins in an injured-shortened season and finished on a high note with a pin and a major at SoCon’s. 

“We will see a mix of veterans and rookies in our line-up, and I am extremely confident in this team. Commitment levels, personal expectations and team accountability are at an all-time high since my arrival in 2017,” said Lausier. “I believe the team-wide breakthroughs in these critical areas will serve as a springboard for a new and improved competitive profile of Davidson wrestling.”

KEY LOSSES 
Coach Lausier lost a pair of four-year grapplers in captains Hunter Costa and Noah Satterfield. Each of the former ‘Cats competed at the conference champs in all four seasons and were captains in their final campaign.  

BUILDING DEPTH
Lausier recruited another deep class, adding eight grapplers to the wrestling room. The group looks to fill some immediate gaps in the lineup and add depth to make practice more competitive. The coaching staff scoured the country, bringing in scholar athletes from five different states.

“This class is a tremendous addition to Davidson wrestling. These scholar-athletes will make an immediate impact by adding impressive talent and needed depth to our roster,” said Lausier. “In addition, they are all a great fit for the culture of Davidson wrestling and they share this team’s aggressive vision and ambition.”

2021 OUTLOOK 
Davidson’s 2020 SoCon Championship result was the best for the ‘Cats since 2014, scoring 29 points to claim fifth-place. Along with Gorant and Henry, the Wildcats return 2020 championship scorers Mitchell Trigg and Baldwin. Both earned wins in wrestle backs where Lausier said that’s where guys learn to fight in the last tournament of the year. Davidson will look to add more grapplers on the podium come Championship Sunday and hopefully have the ‘Cats first representative at the NCAA Championship since 2015.

“The level of discipline, sacrifice and growth our wrestlers have displayed since arriving on campus this fall is inspiring and admirable. It certainly hasn’t been easy. But now that our men have the opportunity to pull up their singlets and strap on their headgear, every step of this arduous journey has been worth the effort.”

WHERE CAN I SEE THEM? 
Davidson will compete on four different tri-meet days throughout January and February with their lone home date schedule for Saturday, Jan. 23. The SoCon Championship is slated for Sunday, Feb. 28 at Appalachian State with the NCAA Champs set for Mar. 18-20 in St. Louis.

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