The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team put five individuals on the Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine preseason individual rankings released this week. WIN listed 20 individuals in each class for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
"These individuals have put themselves in position to be ranked through hard work and past results," stated UTC head coach Heath Eslinger. "We now want to take that effort and focus on being on the podium at the end of the season."
Senior Scottie Boykin led the way for the Mocs, checking in at No.
11 at 197 pounds. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native is coming off his first Southern Conference individual title and his second trip to the NCAA Tournament. He went 22-8 last season and was 12-1 in dual matches.
Seniors Jared Johnson and Michael Pongracz are both ranked No. 15 in their respective classes. Pongracz (Milford, N.J.) earned an at-large bid to the NCAAs last season at 141 pounds. He is coming off a 22-6 campaign that included a win at the Wolfpack Open.
Johnson spent most of 2015-16 ranked at heavyweight. The Jefferson City, Mo., native was the No. 13 seed at the NCAAs and placed fourth at the prestigious Southern Scuffle. He was also a runner-up at the SoCon Championships and the Wolfpack Open with a 23-7 overall record.
Senior Sean Mappes (Greenwood, Ind.) is No. 16 at 174 pounds. He earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with an 18-12 overall record. He was the runner-up at the SoCon Tournament and finished third at the Hokie Open and the Wolfpack Open.
Sophomore Kamaal Shakur (Lilburn, Ga.) was the 2016 SoCon Freshman of the Year and the most outstanding wrestler at last year's league championships. He won the SoCon title at 157 pounds and is No. 18 in the nation in the preseason. He had a 24-8 overall record that included a win at the Wolfpack Open.
UTC opens the season with the Blue-Gold Match at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. The regular season kicks off against Southeastern on Nov. 5. Season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627). The first 50 sold receive matside seats to the Virginia dual on Dec. 4.