A young, but talented Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team opens the program's 63rd season on the road Saturday in Blacksburg, Va. with matches against a pair of top 25 ranked teams in No. 22 Kent State and No.21 host Va. Tech.

First year UTC head coach Heath Eslinger has his starting lineup for the dual matches and will also have approximately 30 wrestlers competing in the one day Hokie Open on Sunday.

“We face two real strong teams this week and the open tournament is great for all our guys to face strong competition to start the season,'' said Eslinger, whose Mocs return home for matches on Nov. 14.

The Mocs have five starters back from the 2009 season led by senior All-American Cody Cleveland (141). Other returning starters are Demetrius Johnson (So., 125), Joey Knox (Sr., 157), Jason McCroskey (So., 184) and Matt Lettner (Jr., 285)

The other five starters are Josh Sandoval (RS Fr., 133), Dean Pavlou (RS fr., 149), Brandon Wright (So., 165), Jake Young (Fr., 174) and Niko Brown (RS Fr., 197). Young is the only true freshman to make the starting lineup.

“I am pleased with our starting lineup and we are working hard for this weekend,'' Eslinger stated.

“Ten guys start and more than 30 guys in the room are all pulling for each other and pushing each other, which makes everyone a better wrestler.'

UTC Starting Lineup

125 – Demetrius Johnson (So., Brighton HS) ... 2009 SoCon champ … NCAA Qualifier … SonCon All-Freshman team … Dean's List … 2x state champ … UTC career record: 11-8.

133 – Josh Sandoval (RS, Fr., Colleyville Heritage HS, Texas) … 2x Texas state champ … third at Cadet Nationals … SoCon Athletic Directors' Honor Roll.

141 - Cody Cleveland (Sr., McCallie School) … 2x SoCon champ … 2009 SoCon co-Wrestler of the Year … 2008 NCAA All-American … 2x NCAA Qualifier … 2x state champ … has already graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice … Dean's List … UTC career record: 54-24.

149 – Dean Pavlou (RS Fr., Bradley Central HS) … 2x state champ for the Bears … Dean's List.

157 - Joey Knox (Sr., Dublin (Ga.) HS) … 2009 SoCon champ … 2x NCAA qualifier … 2s state champ … UTC career record: 46-27.

165 – Brandon Wright (So., Houston HS) … 2x state champ at Houston HS … 4th at Senior Nationals … transferred from Missouri after 2007-08 season … UTC career record: 7-7

174 – Jake Young (Fr., Ooltewah HS) … 2x Tenn. state champ … 5th at Senior Nationals.

184 – Jason McCroskey (So., Soddy Daisy HS) … 2009 SoCon champ … SoCon Freshman of the Year … Academic All-NCAA by NWCA … SoCon Athletic Director's Honor Roll … 3x state medalist at Soddy Daisy … UTC career record: 21-12.

197 - Niko Brown (RS Fr., Osceola (Fa. HS) … redshirted last season … Fla. state champ as a senior.

285 – Matt Lettner (Jr., Soddy Daisy HS) … Two-year starter for the Mocs … wrestled three matches as a sophomore due to injury … 2007 state champion … UTC career record: 13-15.

Tennessee Wrestlers: Coach Eslinger starts seven guys from Tennessee, along with one each from Georgia, Texas and Florida.

Keller in the Room: Former UTC All-American and four-time state champ Matt Keller (Bradley Central) is working out with the team … Keller plans to compete in the New York Athletic Club's Holiday International Wrestling Championship Sunday, Nov. 22 … “I want to see if I still have it (ability to wrestle at the national level) and I am also in the Mocs room to see if I can help the guys get better, '' said Keller who will compete in the freestyle tournament at 121 pounds (55 kilos) … The FILA-sanctioned event awards prize money to the top three male wrestlers in each weight class; 1st - $1,000, 2nd – 500, 3rd - $250 … The one-day tournament has session I at 9 a.m., session II at 1 p.m. and the finals at 4 p.m.

Dress For the Occasion: According to the NYAC web site ... while in the NYAC lobby, males must wear sport coats and slacks (no tennis shoes, no jeans) … women must wear casual business attire (no tennis shoes, no jeans) … athletes dressed in athletic attire may use the back entrance at 58th St and 7th Ave.

Home Opener: UTC will host Gardner Webb (10 a.m.) and Anderson College (11 a.m.) in the team's home opener Saturday, Nov. 14 at Maclellan Gym … The Mocs leave immediately after the Anderson match to fly to Mount Pleasant. Mich. to face Central Michigan on Nov. 15.

2008-09: UTC was 12-10 under coach Chris Bono and won its fifth straight Southern Conference championship with six individual champions … The Mocs finished tied for 52nd at the NCAA tournament.

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net