Appalachian State tops The Citadel 23-13 as technical fall and pin decide dual
Aldo Hernandez’s 22-7 technical fall and Stephan Monchery’s fall supplied the bonus points that created the margin in Boone, and App State moved into sole possession of first in the SoCon.
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State defeated The Citadel 23-13 on Feb. 8, 2026, as two bonus victories and an early run of wins provided a margin the Bulldogs could not overcome.
Aldo Hernandez delivered the match’s most decisive individual result, recording a 22-7 technical fall that counted for five team points. Hernandez scored multiple takedowns across the opening periods and was assessed a +1 in the second period that helped push the match to a technical stoppage.
Appalachian State extended its lead late when Stephan Monchery secured a fall over Christian Bell. Monchery’s pin supplied six team points and stretched the Mountaineers’ advantage to the final margin.
The Citadel’s lone bonus outcome came at 157 pounds, where Kyrel Leavell posted a 15-7 major decision over Jeremiah Price. Leavell entered the matchup listed at No. 29 in the published rankings and used multiple third-period takedowns plus a late penalty against Price to build the final margin.
Several tight matches shaped the dual aside from the bonus results. At 197 pounds, Logan Eller answered Adam Ortega’s late go-ahead takedown with a reversal in the final seconds to win 7-6 and preserve App State’s momentum.
No. 26 Kaden Keiser provided a late clincher at 149, edging No. 30 Carson DesRosier 3-2 in sudden-victory overtime after a third-period reversal forced the tiebreaker. No. 21 Thomas Snipes also posted a late decisive score, beating Anthony Conetta 4-2 on a takedown with 39 seconds remaining.
Gylon Sims recorded a 5-2 overtime decision in the 125-pound bout, earning the match on a third-overtime takedown and entering the meet listed at No. 30 on the published rankings.
Appalachian State built the bulk of its lead early, claiming six of the first seven matches and moving into sole possession of first place in Southern Conference dual standings with the home victory.
Hernandez’s five-team-point technical fall and Monchery’s six-team-point pin combined for 11 bonus points — more than the 10-point final margin — and proved the decisive factor in the 23-13 dual.