BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Head Wrestling Coach Daniel Elliot announced the 2023-24 Gardner-Webb wrestling schedule on Friday, Aug. 18.
The slate sees the Runnin' Bulldogs traveling to five different tournaments, along with hosting a pair of tri-matches, one opponent from the ACC, and four SoCon matches inside of Paul Porter Arena.
The season begins on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Clarion Open for the second straight season. The Runnin' Bulldogs finished sixth at the tournament last year, with RJ Mosley picking up four wins individually to lead the team.
The 'Dawgs then head up to Boone for the Mountaineer Invite on Nov. 12. GWU picked up a pair of fourth place finishes at last year's event. Gardner-Webb closes out the opening portion of tournament play with a trip to West Point, N.Y. for the Black Knight Invite, hosted by Army West Point.
Duals begin at home for the Runnin' Bulldogs, hosting Buffalo and Kent State on Dec. 2. GWU last faced the Buffalo Bulls on Feb. 23, 2020, in Athens, Ohio, falling by a score of 34-12.
Gardner-Webb will host one more dual before Christmas break, hosting George Mason and Ohio on Dec. 21. The last time GWU hosted the Patriots, the Runnin' Bulldogs knocked off George Mason 22-14 on Dec. 19, 2021. The 'Dawgs are 0-5 all-time against Ohio, falling to the Bobcats 23-15 in Athens last season.
The new year begins for Gardner-Webb in Chattanooga, Tenn., as the 'Dawgs get set for the Southern Scuffle. GWU sent 13 competitors to the event last season, with Todd Carter picking up a pair of victories.
Gardner-Webb hits the road again to face ACC foe Virginia in Richmond on Jan. 6, before competing in their final tournament of the regular season on Jan. 9 at the Davidson Duals.
Non-conference action closes on Jan. 16 for the Runnin' Bulldogs, with GWU hosting ACC foe Duke inside Paul Porter Arena. GWU has won two of their last three matches against the Blue Devils, including a 30-10 win in Durham last season.
The eight-match SoCon schedule begins on the road for GWU on Jan. 18 at Bellarmine, before hosting Chattanooga on Feb. 3. Gardner-Webb will face Campbell (Feb. 4), Presbyterian (Feb. 11), and Appalachian State (Feb. 25) on the road in conference play, while hosting Davidson (Feb. 9), The Citadel, (Feb. 16), and VMI (Feb. 18). GWU went 4-4 in SoCon matches last season.
Postseason competition begins for the 'Dawgs on Mar. 2, first with the SoCon Championships in Boone, N.C. Mosley won the SoCon Championship last season at 165 pounds, while Jha'Quan Anderson and Zach Price earned second-place finishes. GWU finished fourth as a team.
The Runnin' Bulldogs then look westward and compete at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships on Mar. 14-16 in Kansas City, Mo. Mosley, and Anderson both competed at the national event last season.
Times for home matches and all duals will be announced later. For more information on the Gardner-Webb wrestling team, fans can follow the 'Dawgs on Twitter/X at @GWUWrestling or on Instagram at @gwuwrestling.
