The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team locked up three more bids to the NCAA Championships this afternoon. Senior John Lampe and juniors Sean Mappes and Michael Pongracz were among the 49 at-large bids awarded today.
This is the first trip for Lampe, who was 20-5 and finished in second place at the Southern Conference Tournament over the weekend. He is representing the Mocs at 184 pounds.
Mappes is 17-10 overall at 174 pounds. He was also the runner-up at the SoCons and is going to the NCAAs for the second year in a row.
Pongracz lost in overtime in the SoCon finals, but got in on his 22-4 overall record. He is also returning to the NCAAs for the second time.
"It is always exciting to add guys to that list," stated head coach Heath Eslinger. "These guys worked hard and earned the right to compete in the national tournament. It is fun to see all of their efforts come to fruition.
"The one thing we do really well is stay consistent all year and that pays off in the selection process."
UTC was runner-up as a team at the SoCon Tournament by a ½-point to No. 22 Appalachian State. The 23rd-ranked Mocs finished with a 12-4 overall record and tied for the SoCon regular season crown at 6-1 in league duals.
Lampe, Mappes and Pongracz join freshman Kamaal Shakur and juniors Scottie Boykin and Jared Johnson who earned automatic bids at the SoCon Tournament.
The NCAA Championships are set for March 17-19. Action takes place in the historic Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.