March 1, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            

SMC Wrestlers Place 9th in NJCAA Nationals
Three Athletes Named to All-American Team

SPARTANBURG, SC –  The Spartanburg Methodist College men’s wrestling team returned this week from the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national tournament in Minneapolis ranked in the top 10 of NJCAA Division I teams and with three All-American wrestlers.

The team placed 9th in Division I of the NJCAA and 13th in the field of 35 teams competing in the overall tournament, with a final score of 39.

This was the highest an SMC team has placed in the national tournament during the team’s four-year history.

“Our men did an outstanding job. Going in they were confident and well-prepared. Coming out, we were very pleased with our performance. It will be tough to beat this year’s performance, but I’m confident our team will be even stronger next year”, says head wrestling coach Robbie Higdon, who just completed his first season coaching the team.

Three team-members earned NJCAA All-American wrestling status, including Tim Burdine, a Freshman from Durant, Fl.; John Murray, a Freshman from Auburndale, Fl.; and Jeremiah Webb, a Freshman from Beaufort, SC. The three placed 2nd, 8th, and 6th in their respective weight classes in the national tournament. Requirements for All-American status are to have placed in the top eight in the country in their weight class.

Other SMC wrestlers who participated in the nationals and posted points were JJ Jackson, a Sophomore from Lake City, SC; Justin Newell, a Sophomore from Kell, GA; Michael Boring, a Freshman from North Charleston, SC; and Jonathan Webb, a Sophomore from Tallassee, AL.

“There is very tough competition at the National level, so this is not a fluke. This is something that the wrestling team can build on and continue to improve on,” says Athletic Director Mark Perdue.

For more information, please contact athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237 or coach Robbie Higdon at (864) 608-0974.

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