COLUMBIA, Ky. -- In just three short seasons, the Lindsey Wilson College wrestling team can already lay claim to an NAIA National Champion, as Charlie Pingleton's run to a title comes in at No. 4 on the Top-22 Moments of 2011-12.

While three Blue Raiders advanced to the finals at last season's NAIA National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, it was Pingleton at 157 pounds who emerged on top of the podium.

To get there, the senior from Greencastle, Ind., had to win five matches, including a nail-biting 3-2 decision against Nik Turner from Oklahoma City in the final.

Leading by a single point throughout the match, Pingleton had his head coach Corey Ruff on edge at the side of the mat.

"We were a little bit on egg shells," said Ruff, while at the championships in March. "We were trying to hold a one-point lead and I wasn't so much nervous as I was just excited and couldn't wait to celebrate. Those second couldn't tick off fast enough."

For Charlie, that final minute was just as hard on him and something he'll always remember.

"That final minute felt like it was 10 minutes long," said Pingleton minutes after the match. "I was just waiting for the time to run out, I knew I couldn't give up that takedown at the end and I got good position and became a national champ."

More about No. 4…

• Pingleton helped the Blue Raiders finish a program-fourth best at the championships, an accomplishment that was talked about throughout the wrestling community for how fast the program moved up in just three seasons of wrestling.
• Charlie was one of five NAIA All-Americans from Lindsey Wilson with top-eight finishes.
• Pingleton is set to return to campus in 2012-12 to serve as a student-coach for the Blue Raiders.
• Charlie finished the 2011-12 season with a 32-6 overall record.
• There have now been 21 individual national championships won by Lindsey Wilson student-athletes.
• Pingleton named the Mid-South Conference Wreslter of the Year.