Chattanooga’s Soto Repeats as Wrestler of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga freshman Nick Soto has been named Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week for all competitions from December 21 through January 3.

Soto finished second at 133 pounds in the 2012 Southern Scuffle on January 1-2 in Chattanooga. Soto, a true freshman from Spring Hill, Fla., ended up the star of the tournament for the Mocs.

He took on No. 5 David Thorn of Minnesota in the morning semifinals. Neither individual was able to mount much offense and the match remained tied at one after regulation. In the second overtime, Soto got the crowd of 2,168 on its feet when he scored backpoints to go ahead. He added in another escape and was able to hang on for a 5-1 decision and advance to the evening finals. It was Soto’s second win over a top-5 opponent in the last two weeks while the wrestler of the week honor is also his second straight.

He went on to battle Cristop Dardanes of Minnesota in the finals, but fell 7-2.

Soto began the tournament with a 10-1 major decision over Minnesota’s Randy Hanson. He followed that up with a 7-3 decision against Missouri’s Eric Wilson while his quarterfinal win came against Hofstra’s Jamie Franco in a 7-5 decision.

Other Nominees: Kyle Blevins (Appalachian State), John Weakley (Campbell) and Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (The Citadel).

2011-12 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week

Nov. 16 Austin Trotman, Appalachian State

Nov. 23 Niko Brown, Chattanooga

Nov. 30 Nick Rex, Campbell

Dec. 7 Chip Powell, Appalachian State

Dec. 14 Mark Hartenstine, Campbell

Dec. 21 Nick Soto, Chattanooga

Jan. 4 Nick Soto, Chattanooga