The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team opens the 2017-18 season with two events on the road this weekend.  The Mocs visit VMI on Saturday, Nov. 4, for a Southern Conference dual, then participate in the Hokie Open on Sunday, Nov. 5, in Roanoke, Va.

The is the first time the Mocs have opened the season with a conference match since a 46-0 win over Davidson on Nov. 8, 2008.  Match time against the Keydets is set for 1:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Cormack Hall in Lexington, Va.  A link for live scoring is available on the wrestling schedule page on GoMocs.com. 

PROBABLE LINEUP VS. VMI
125:  Alonzo Allen – Jr.
133:  Wade Cummings – So. or Colton Landers – Fr.
141:  Michael Pongracz – Sr.
149:  Jake Adcock – Fr. or Roman Boylen – Jr.
157:  Chase Stephens – Fr.
165:  Chad Pyke – Sr.
174:  Justin Lampe – Sr.
184:  No. 12 Bryce Carr – Sr.
197:  Scottie Boykin – Sr.
285:  Connor Tolley – Jr.

UTC is coming off a 7-9 record last season.  The Mocs return five starters to a team that finished 5-2 in SoCon regular season duals and fourth in the league tournament. 

Among the returning starters are juniors Alonzo Allen (125), Chris Debien (133) and Roman Boylen (149) and seniors Justin Lampe (165) and Bryce Carr (184).  Carr and Debien both won SoCon individual titles last season, while Allen and senior Scottie Boykin made the preseason All-SoCon team.

Boykin returns to the lineup at 197 after redshirting last season.  He won the league as a junior in 2016, when he was ranked as high as No. 9 in the country. 

Also coming off a redshirt year is senior Michael Pongracz.  He is a two-time NCAA qualifier who was 22-6 at 141 in 2015-16. 

Head Coach Heath Eslinger is in his ninth year at UTC.  A two-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year, he owns a 93-54 (.633) career dual record, including a 47-4 (.922) tally in league matches.  He has guided the Mocs to six SoCon regular season and six SoCon tournament titles.