University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman Jake Young has been selected as the inaugural Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week for the 2009-10 season.
Young, a true freshman who wrestles in the 174-pound weight class, opened his collegiate campaign with a 13-2 record, including a tournament title at the Hokie Open in his first event with the Mocs on Nov. 8. The Ooltewah, Tenn., native followed that performance with a 5-0 mark at the Indiana Duals, including a win over Indiana’s 17th-ranked Trevor Perry.
The freshman’s only two losses this season were a one-point (7-6) defeat against Virginia Tech’s Anthony Trongone and a 3-1 decision to No. 1 ranked Mike Miller of Central Michigan.
The first wrestler of the week award covers all competition from the beginning of the season through Dec. 1.
The Mocs have won the last five Southern Conference championships and 24 of the 32 SoCon titles since joining the league in 1978. Heath Eslinger is in his first year as head coach at his alma mater and has Chattanooga off to a 5-5 start against a very demanding schedule. The Mocs open the SoCon season at The Citadel on Dec. 17. UTC's next home event is Saturday, Jan. 16, hosting top-10 ranked Missouri at Maclellan Gym at 7:00 p.m. (E.S.T.).
2009-10 Southern Conference Wrestlers of the Week
Dec. 2 Jake Young, Chattanooga