The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team wrapped up its participation in the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships Friday evening. Senior Sean Boyle was one win away from All-American honors before being pinned the first period in the wrestlebacks.
Boyle, the fifth seed at 125, was trying to become the Mocs first All-American since 2008. He was pitted against No. 7 Eddie Klimara of Oklahoma State, an opponent he defeated earlier in the year at the Southern Scuffle.
Things went bad for Boyle quickly as he gave up a takedown early in the first.
While trying to escape, Boyle got caught on his back and pinned, just 27 seconds into the match.
Boyle advanced with two wins in the backdraw today. He opened with a 5-1 decision over The Citadel’s Joaquin Marquez and followed that with a 5-4 decision over North Dakota State’s Joshua Rodriguez. He finished the tournament with a 3-2 mark.
The 2015 Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year posted a 32-7 overall record in his one year at UTC after transferring from Michigan. He made his mark as a ranked competitor throughout the season, leading the Mocs to the SoCon regular season and tournament titles and winning an individual league championship.
Senior Nick Soto and sophomore Scottie Boykin also competed today. Soto, the 15th seed at 133, lost to No. 16 Mackenzie McGuire (KSU) in an 8-4 decision. Boykin was pinned by Nebraska’s Aaron Studebaker at 197.
The Mocs are currently in 44th place with 3.5 points. That would be the best finish in the Eslinger era, but the final tally won’t be in until after tomorrow’ championships. That would also be UTC’s best showing since placing 37th in 2008.
123 – Sean Boyle – 5th Seed
Joaquin Marquez (Citadel) – W-D, 5-1
Joshua Rodriguez (NDSU) – W-D, 5-4
No. 7 Eddie Klimara (Ok. State) – L-Fall (0:27)
133 – Nick Soto – 15th Seed
No. 16 Mackenzie McGuire (KSU) – L-D, 4-5
197 – Scottie Boykin
No. 15 Aaron Studebaker (Nebraska) – L-Fall (3:40)