Published: 12:15 PM, 11/05/2009

Last updated: 12:52 PM, 11/17/2009

By: staff reports

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State's wrestling team was tabbed to finish second in the Southern Conference by the coaches, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Mountaineers are coming off of a fourth place finish a season ago, return nine starters from last season, including 2009 NCAA Championship participant Frank Celorrio and 2008 participant Austin Trotman.
Chattanooga was picked to win their sixth-straight title, picking up 24 points and four first place votes. The Mountaineers were right behind with 22 points and the other two first place votes. Last season's second place finisher UNC Greensboro was picked third, followed by The Citadel, VMI and Davidson.
Appalachian is also well-represented on the preseason all-conference team, as Celorrio, Trotman and sophomore Kyle Blevins earned the preseason honors.
Celorrio swept through the SoCon last season going 7-0 against conference foes on his way to his first berth at the NCAA Championships.
Trotman started last season 14-3 before an injury derailed his season. As a freshman, he earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships.
As a freshman last season, Blevins led the Mountaineers with 24 wins and was third at the SoCon Championships.
Appalachian begins its season on Nov. 15, when the Mountaineers compete in the Michigan State Open.

2009-10 SoCon Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll
School (First-place votes) Points
1. Chattanooga (4) 24
2. Appalachian State (2) 22
3. UNC Greensboro 16
4. The Citadel 13
5. VMI 9
6. Davidson 6

2009-10 SoCon Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team
125-Demetrius Johnson, Chattanooga
133-Frank Celorrio, Appalachian State
141-Cody Cleveland, Chattanooga
149-David DeCamp, Davidson
157-Joey Knox, Chattanooga
165-Kyle Blevins, Appalachian State
174-Austin Trotman, Appalachian State
184-Jason McCroskey, Chattanooga
197-Odie Delaney, The Citadel
HWT-Josh Wine, VMI