Boiling Springs, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb wrestling team will compete in the program's first-ever conference championship this Saturday, as the Runnin' Bulldogs will participate at the 2012 Southern Conference Championship hosted by the University of Chattanooga at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Gardner-Webb posted a 2-5 dual match record against their Southern Conference foes on the season and had five grapplers record winning records in conference action on the year.

At 125 pounds, redshirt-senior Michael Slaughter will compete for GWU, as he posted an overall record of 15-9 on the year and 4-3 in Southern Conference action at 125 and 133 pounds.

Sophomores Robbie Golde and Alex Hamm will suit up for the Runnin' Bulldogs at 133 and 141 pounds, respectively on Saturday.  Golde has a 5-15 overall record and is winless in conference action, yet is coming off a big 6-3 decision over Andrew Hammer of Ohio in his last match.  Hamm is 6-13 overall on the year, yet has posted a 2-3 record in conference action with both wins coming at 141 pounds.

GWU's Davante Andujar, who has filled in most of the year for the injured Ryan Medved at 149 pounds, will weigh in at 149 pounds.  The freshman is 10-13 overall at 149 pounds this season and 3-2 in conference action at that weight class.

At 157 pounds, redshirt-junior Alex Medved will compete for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as the 2011 NCAA qualifier and East Regional Champion has won nine straight matches and 12 out of his last 15 bouts.  Medved leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with 17 wins on the season, five of which have come in conference competition.

Fellow redshirt-junior Justin Guthrie, who also has 17 wins on the year, will compete at 165 pounds, as he is 3-4 in dual match action against Southern Conference foes, while at 174 pounds sophomore Erin O'Dell will weigh in for the Runnin' Bulldogs.  O'Dell, who missed much of the season due to an injury, is 1-3 in conference dual match action and 3-8 overall on the year.

The Porters, Jason and Travis, will compete at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively on Saturday. Jason is 3-2 in Southern Conference action and 6-12 overall on the season with five of those wins coming at 184 pounds.  Travis, who has won two straight matches at 197 and was named the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week on February 9th, has posted a 13-10 overall record on the season.  Travis, who like Medved was a 2011 NCAA qualifier and East Regional Champion, is 4-1 in Southern Conference dual match action on the year.

At the heavyweight position, freshman Justin Kozera will suit up for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as he is 13-15 overall and 4-3 in Southern Conference action.

Tickets for the event are as follows:

All Tournament Pass - Adults $15

All Tournament Pass - College Students/Youth $10 (Youth 17 & under)

Special Group Rate - $8

Students of Southern Conference member institutions get in free with a valid college ID

For more information go to: http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&ATCLID=205247614

To view the complete week twelve wrestling match notes click on the attached pdf or go to the wrestling team page and click on match notes in the top menu bar.

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