Pingleton named MSC Wrestler of the Year

Monday, April 30, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College's Charlie Pingleton and University of the Cumberlands' Anthonie Linares earned Mid-South Conference wrestling recognition recently, according to conference officials.

Pingleton has been selected as the MSC Wrestler of the Year in a vote by the conference coaches following the NAIA National Championships in early March. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own wrestlers.

The 157-pound senior captured the national championship last month after beating Oklahoma City University's Nik Turner in the national finals. Pingleton was the lone MSC wrestler to capture a national title.

Pingleton ended the season with 32-6 dual record. He captured the 157-pound MSC title and earned NAIA All-American honors for his finish at the national championships.

Linares earned MSC Wrestling Freshman of the Year following the coaches' vote.

The 149-pound freshman finished fourth at the NAIA National Championships to earn NAIA All-American honors. Linares ended his first collegiate season with a 28-10 overall record.

His only losses in the national championships came to the top-ranked wrestler in the 149-pound weight class and the eventual national champion.

The conference Wrestler of the Year and Wrestling Freshman of the Year completes the honors for the 2011-12 season. The remaining all-conference awards were handed out following the conference championships in March.