SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  The Pioneers Men’s Wrestling Team from Spartanburg Methodist College has seven top-ranked wrestlers following the NJCAA Mid Atlantic District Championships Feb. 10 and 11 at Nassau, N.Y.

In spite of the weekend blizzard that stymied their efforts to return to Spartanburg until Tuesday, Coach Tony Caterisano and his team have plenty of reason to be upbeat. Seven Pioneer wrestlers placed fourth or better in the district qualifier and earned a trip to the NJCAA National Wrestling Championships in Rochester, Minn. Feburary 23-25:

149-lb. Charles Bugarin (All-American, Bishop England H.S., Charleston, S.C.) – Placed 4th.

184-lb. Cody Galloway (Northwestern H.S., Rock Hill, S.C.) – Placed 3rd.

157-lb. Jonathon Jackson (Lake City H.S., Lake City, S.C.) – Placed 2nd.

125-lb. Justin Newell (Kell H.S., Atlanta, Ga.) – Placed 3rd.

197-lb. Sidney Russell (Wando H.S., Charleston, S.C.) – Placed 2nd.

141-lb. Andy Schuster (Ninety-Six H.S., Ninety-Six, S.C.) – Placed 4th.

133-lb. Jonathon Webb (Tamassee-Salem H.S., Tamassee, S.C.) – Placed 4th.