NEWS
Wrestlers Named to SoCon All-Freshman Team
McKnight and Ferguson
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – First-year wrestlers Tyler-Xavier McKnight and Wyatt Ferguson were named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team on Thursday, the league announced.
The duo was recognized among the conference’s 10 best freshmen, and Davidson was one of three SoCon teams to have multiple selections on the list.
Tyler-Xavier McKnight, a native of Cartersville, Ga., became the third Wildcat in the last nine years to win 20 matches in a season in his first year as a ‘Cat. The 149-pounder went 20-15 overall, wrestled in all but one dual match while earning eight dual wins, and took third place at both the Southeast Open (freshman/sophomore division) and the Appalachian Open.
Wyatt Ferguson was another first-year mainstay this season for the Wildcats. The Cincinnati, Ohio, product impressed in SoCon action this year as he won six of his eight conference matchups. The 184-pounder went 14-14 overall, wrestled in all 18 dual matches and all eight conference duals, and he also took third in the freshman/sophomore division at the Southeast Open.
This year’s selection of Ferguson and McKnight marks the sixth straight year Davidson has had at least one freshman make the All-Freshman team.
SoCon Awards and Honors
2023-24 Wrestler of the Year
Taye Ghadiali, 285, Sr., Campbell
2023-24 Freshman of the Year
Isaiah Powe, 141, Chattanooga
2023-24 All-Southern Conference Team
125 Anthony Molton, Sr., Campbell
133 Ethan Oakley, So., App State
141 Isaiah Powe, Fr., Chattanooga
149 Cody Bond, Sr., App State
157 Tommy Askey, Jr., App State
165 Will Miller, Jr., App State
174 Austin Murphy, Sr., Campbell
184 Caleb Hopkins, Sr., Campbell
197 Levi Hopkins, Sr., Campbell
285 Taye Ghadiali, R-Jr., Campbell
2023-24 All-Freshman Team
Tomas Brooker, 184, App State
Grant O’Dell, 165, Bellarmine
Wynton Denkins, 141, Campbell
Chris Earnest, 157, Campbell
Sergio Desiante, 174, Chattanooga
Isaiah Powe, 141, Chattanooga
Patrick Brophy, 197, The Citadel
Wyatt Ferguson, 184, Davidson
Tyler-Xavier McKnight, 149, Davidson
Patrick Jordon, 141, VMI