The UTC (4-5) wrestling team split a pair of matches against Virginia Tech and Anderson on Sunday afternoon. The Mocs lost their opening match with the Hokies (3-0) 37-0, but then bounced back with a 34-13 triumph over Anderson (1-3).

The already banged-up Mocs squad was even more short-handed this day. UTC knew going in it would be without the services of senior Seth Garvin at 165. The news got a little worse over the Thanksgiving break when senior Steve Hromada (133) chose to quit the team. With no backup at the position, the loss of Hromada spotted Virginia Tech (3-0) six points before the match began.

With redshirt freshman Demetrius Johnson out of action due to a tonsillectomy, true freshman Paul Garza struggled in the opening match dropping an 11-3 major decision to the Hokies Jarrod Garnett. The stunner came in the next match at 141 as Christopher Diaz scored an upset over No. 3 Cody Cleveland on an 8-6 decision.

With the Mocs on the ropes, the Hokies turned up the heat. Virginia Tech rattled off four straight decisions to jump out to a 25-0 lead and drained the energy out of a raucous crowd in Big Mac. A pin at 184 and two decisions provided the final margin of 37-0.

The start of the Anderson match was much of the same as C.J. Hamilton overmatched Garza with a 10-1 major decision. After the forfeit at 133, the Mocs were down 10-0 once again, but this time Cleveland answered.

The junior All-America broke through with the first points of the day for Chattanooga with an 11-3 major decision over Ronald Lofton. Nick DiCarlo put the Vikings up 13-4 with a 3-2 decision over Daniel Waddell at 149.

Joey Knox turned the tide of the day for the Mocs at 157. Ranked No. 18 nationally, Knox pinned Josh Delmontagne at 4:59 to give Chattanooga a little life. Brandon Wright followed with a 6-4 decision over Trevor Sanford to tie the score at 13.

Anderson had to forfeit at 174 and 184 giving the Mocs a 25-13 cushion. Tyler Roberson (197) posted a decision and Cody Sliger (285) a pin to give the Mocs the 34-13 win.

Sliger, a true freshman, scored his first dual win with the pin at 4:43. He was not alone in notching his first career victory as Brandon Wright also captured his first dual win.

Chattanooga returns to the mat on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., at 2 p.m. Garvin is expected to ready for action and Ben Johnson should be eligible to compete at 133.

RESULTS

Chattanooga 0
Virginia Tech 37

Individual Matches
Wt Winner (School) Win Type Loser (School) Score
125 Jarrod Garnett (VT) MD Paul Garza (UTC) 3 - 11
133 Jared Jones (VT) For Forfeit (UTC)
141 Christopher Diaz (VT) DEC No. 3 Cody Cleveland (UTC) 6 - 8
149 Peter Yates (VT) DEC Daniel Waddell (UTC) 1 - 8
157 Jesse Dong (VT) DEC No. 18 Joseph Knox (UTC) 4 - 7
165 Matt Epperly (VT) DE CBrandon Wright (UTC) 2 - 3
174 Anthony Trongone (VT) DEC Jason McCroskey (UTC) 2 - 3
184 Thomas Spellman (VT) FALL Kyle McKee (UTC) 5:22
197 Daniel Bruce (VT) DEC Ethan Winel (UTC) 3 - 10
285 David Marone (VT)DEC Cody Sliger (UTC) 3 - 4

Chattanooga 34
Anderson 13

Individual Matches
Wt Winner (School) Win Type Loser (School) Score
125 Carlton Hamilton (AU) MD Paul Garza (UTC) 1 - 10
133 Christopher Francis (AU) For Forfeit (UTC)
141 No. 3 Cody Cleveland (UTC) MD Ronald Lofton (AU) 11 - 3
149 Nick DiCarlo (AU) DEC Daniel Waddell (UTC) 2 - 3
157 No. 18 Joseph Knox (UTC) FALL Josh Delmontagne (AU) 4:59
165 Brandon Wright (UTC) DEC Trevor Sanford (AU) 6 - 4
174 Jason McCroskey (UTC) For Forfeit (AU)
184 Kyle McKee (UTC) For Forfeit (AU)
197 Tyler Roberson (UTC) DEC Zach Anderson (AU) 7 - 6
285 Cody Sliger (UTC) FALL Jonah Adams (AU) 4:43