University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling head coach Heath Eslinger announced the addition of eight signees for the 2017-18 season. The Mocs picked up four All-Americans and five state champions in this talented haul of recruits.
"I am excited about this class," said Eslinger. "We addressed some needs at certain weights and brought in a number of guys who can compete right away. Most importantly, these are all individuals who will be outstanding representatives of our University and our program."
Highlighting this list is three-time NHSCA All-American heavyweight Sammy Evans from Alcoa (Tenn.) High School.
He is a three-time state champion and has finished in the top three each of the last three years at the NHSCA national championships.
Other All-Americans included Davion Fairley (141 – McDonough, Ga.), T.J. Hick (125 – Cleveland, Tenn.) and Franco Valdes (141 – Miami, Fla.). Fairley is an NHSCA junior All-American and National junior duals freestyle All-American. He was also a state runner-up at Union Grove High School.
Hick is from nearby Bradley Central High School where he is a two-time state champion. He was a Flo Nationals All-American in 2016, where he was the runner-up. He also finished second at the NHSCA junior nationals. Valdes is a state champion from Southwest High School in Miami, Fla. He earned his All-American honors at the 2016 Super 32.
Two other state champs include Chase Stephens (157 – Coatesville, Pa.) and Mason Wallace (149 – Manhattan, Kan.). Stephens was 40-4 as a junior at Coatsville Area High School, while Wallace has won back-to-back titles for Manhattan High School (Kan.).
Also included in the class is a pair of 165-pounders in Drew Nicholson (Memphis, Tenn.) and Ryan Resnick (Chester Spring, Pa). Nicholson is a state finalist from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis where he was 43-7 record as a junior. Resnick qualified for the very tough Pennsylvania state tournament last season and has a 92-33 prep mark.
Up next for UTC is a road trip to Ohio before the Christmas break. Chattanooga faces Ohio on Dec. 16 in Athens before visiting Kent State on Dec. 18.
Don't forget about the 2017 Southern Scuffle, presented by Compound Clothing, at the McKenzie Arena on Jan. 1-2. This year's field involves nine of the preseason top 25, including No. 1 Oklahoma State, No. 5 Missouri and No. 7 Cornell.
Individually, there are 76 wrestlers with a preseason ranking set to visit the Scenic City. This includes three NCAA Champions and 25 All-Americans. Tickets are available on GoMocs.com.
2016 Wrestling Signees
Sammy Evans – 285 – Alcoa, Tenn. – Alcoa HS
Three-time NHSCA High School All-American … national runner-up in 2014 and third each of the last two years … currently No. 9 in the nation according to Intermat … All-American honors at the 2014 Fargo and 2016 Flo Nationals … 118-4 career prep mark at Alcoa (Tenn.) High School for head coach Brian Gossett … three-time state champion … has not lost since his freshman season … first wrestler from Alcoa to sign an NCAA Division I scholarship … member of the DECA and Key Clubs … PERSONAL … full name is Samson Eugene Evans … born Aug. 20, 1998 … son of Jennifer Evans … has a younger brother, Noah … plans to major in Marketing.
Coach Eslinger on Sammy:
"Getting student-athletes of Sammy's caliber from our home state is crucial. His success will definitely carry over to the next level."
Davian Fairley – 141 – McDonough, Ga. – Union Grove HS
NHSCA Junior All-American … National Junior Duals Freestyle All-American … two-time Georgia Freestyle Champion … two-time Georgia Greco Champion … state runner-up as a junior at Union Grove High School in McDonough, Ga. … competed for head coach Matt Ferrari … 129-27 career prep record … third place at the state tournament as a sophomore … member of the National Society of High School Scholars … PERSONAL … full name is Davion Alexander Fairley … son of David and Latasha Fairley … born August 18, 1999 … has an older sister, Deasia, and a younger brother, Devin … plans to major in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing.
Coach Eslinger on Davion:
"Davion is a talented athlete and a hard worker. His ceiling is very high and we believe his best days are ahead of him."
T.J. Hicks – 125 – Cleveland, Tenn. - Bradley Central HS
2016 Flo Nationals All-American where he was a runner-up … also All-American and runner-up at NHSCA Junior Nationals … two-time state champion at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tenn. … 101-1 career prep record … competes for head coach Ben Smith … 40 of 50 wins as a junior were pins … led the Bears to the dual and tournament state titles … PERONSAL … full name is Thomas Arland Hicks … son of Tommy and Tracy Hicks … born June 6, 1999 … one of triplets, including brother Trey and sister Amanda … has a younger brother, Sam … undecided on a major.
Coach Eslinger on T.J.:
"TJ comes from a great program and is accustomed to winning. One thing you know about T.J. is that every time he steps on the mat, he is going to compete""
Drew Nicholson – 165 – Memphis, Tenn. – Christian Brothers HS
State finalist for head coach Chris Lewis at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tenn. … 43-7 record as a junior … member of the Commercial Appeal Best of Preps All-Metro Team and Wrestler of the Year finalist … won the state title in freestyle and Greco three times … runner up in the Greco SE regionals in 2016 … third in freestyle … finished third at the 2016 Ohio Tournament of Champions … Honor Roll student and a member of the National Honor Society … PERSONAL … full name is Andrew Joseph Nicholson … born sept. 8, 1998 … son of Jerry & Tress Nicholson … has a younger brother, Luke … undecided on a major.
Coach Eslinger on Drew:
"Drew is a young man who has been in the shadows of some other top Tennessee wrestlers. His improvements over the last few years are impressive and we believe he will continue that climb for us at Chattanooga."
Ryan Resnick – 165 – Chester Spring, Pa. – Owen J. Roberts HS
2016 state qualifier from Owen J. Roberts High School in Poltstown, Pa. … competed for head coach Steve DeRafelo … 92-33 career prep record … two-time regional qualifier … won the section, runner-up in the district and placed sixth at the regional as a junior … two-time King of the Mountain Medalist … also medalist at the Escape the Rock and Conestoga Valley Tournaments … member of the Honor Roll and the All-Academic team … PERSONAL … full name is Ryan Francis Resnick … born Nov. 9, 1998 … son of Fran and Jennifer Resnick … has a twin brother Luke, and younger twin sisters Ava and Carly … father wrestled at West Chester University … plans to major in Business.
Coach Eslinger on Ryan:
"Ryan is a phenomenal athlete and a great fit for our program. His best days competitively are ahead of him and I am glad they will be spent with us."
Chase Stephens – 157 – Coatesville, Pa. – Coatesville Area HS
State medalist as a junior at Coatesville Area High School in Coatesville, Pa. … section and district champ last two years … placed at the region last two seasons … 40-4 record with 29 pins as a junior … wrestled for his father, Bear Stephens … 113-18 career record heading into his senior year … two-time first team All-Ches-Mont … All-Southeastern PA in 2016 … D1 All-Academic Team and PIAA All-State Academic Team (Honorable Mention) … also competed in the pole vault for the track & field team … PERSONAL … full name is Chase Vincent Stephens … born Feb. 23, 1999 … son of Bear & Aubrey Stephens … has an older brother, Noah … plans to major in Sports Administration/exercise Science.
Coach Eslinger on Chase:
"Chase has the "it" factor. He is funky and knows how to win. He will be well prepared to step in and do big things for our program."
Franco Valdes – 141 – Miami, Fla. - Southwest HS
All-American at Miami's Southwest High School … wrestles for head coach Joel Mendez … won the state title as a freshman and runner up last two seasons … All-American honors at the 2016 Super 32 … two-time AAU All-American … runner-up at the 2014 Michigan Grappler … PERSONAL … son of Frank and Monica Valdes … born Dec. 21, 1999 … has a younger sister Mia … plans to major in Physical Therapy.
Coach Eslinger on Franco:
"Stingy is how I would describe Franco's wrestling. He just loves to compete and makes his opponents earn everything. His grit is going to make him a great collegiate wrestler."
Mason Wallace – 149 – Manhattan, Kan. – Manhattan HS
Two-time state champion and team captain at Manhattan (Kan.) High School … … competes for head coach Robert Gonzales … 120-9 career prep record … All-American at the Folkstyle Nationals as a freshman … runner up at NHSCA Virginia Beach as a sophomore … member of the Team Kansas National Team … two-time freestyle state champion … two-time Greco state runner-up … 2016 Southern Plains Greco Champion ... one match away from AA status at Fargo in Freestyle, 2 years in a row … PERSONAL … full name is Mason Gregory Wallace … born Aug. 2, 1998 … son of Matt and Aricca Wallace.
Coach Eslinger on Mason:
"We loved Mason from day one. He is a competitor that is willing to put in the work. He is also a young man who immediately fit in with our staff and athletes. We can't wait to move him out of the midwest to the south."