The Citadel clinches SoCon regular-season title with 34-11 win over VMI
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel defeated Virginia Military Institute 34-11 on Feb. 22, 2026, securing at least a share of the Southern Conference regular-season championship.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel defeated VMI 34-11 on Feb. 22, 2026, securing at least a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title.
The Bulldogs opened the dual with a string of bonus-point results that set the tone. Gylon Sims won a 125-pound major decision, 9-1, closing with a third-period takedown at the 25-second mark and a riding-time point. Teegan Vasquez followed with a first-period fall at 133 that ended the bout in the opening stanza.
VMI answered with three competitive wins that kept the Keydets in the dual. Dyson Dunham scored a 19-4 technical fall at 141. Patrick Jordon picked up VMI’s key victory at 149, edging No. 31 Carson DesRosier 7-5 after a third-period three-point takedown at the 41-second mark and a riding-time point. Toby Schoffstall returned to the lineup and secured a 4-2 decision at 197 with a third-period takedown in the late seconds.
The Citadel regained control through additional bonus outcomes. No. 31 Kyrel Leavell finished at 157 by technical fall, 25-9, collecting takedowns across all periods. Thomas Snipes, No. 23 at 165, posted an 11-2 major decision after scoring takedowns in multiple periods and earning riding time in the third.
Jacob Silka and Brodie Porter added late bonus points that put the dual out of reach. Silka won 8-0 by major decision at 174, recording a third-period takedown and a riding-time point. Porter closed his 184-pound bout by technical fall, 19-4, after a second-period sequence that included multiple takedowns and a four-point nearfall.
The Bulldogs’ mix of pins, technical falls and major decisions supplied the margin needed to clinch the league crown. The Citadel athletics site indicated the victory delivered at least a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title; VMI’s release summarized the dual as a 34-11 loss for the Keydets while noting Jordon’s ranked victory.
Several matches were decided by late sequences. Sims’ third-period takedown at :25 and Jordon’s third-period three-point takedown at :41 were decisive scoring swings that shaped the final outcome. Those finishing moments, combined with multiple bonus-point wins for The Citadel, produced the dual’s decisive edge.
The Citadel will carry the regular-season title into the conference tournament next month. VMI will resume its remaining regular-season schedule and preparations for the Southern Conference Championship.