The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team had an outstanding showing at the Eastern Michigan Duals today. The Mocs only trailed once and went 3-0 in Ypsilanti, Mich. The three wins came against Michigan State (24-13), Northern Illinois (34-9) and No. 25 Kent State (23-15).
Chattanooga opened with an impressive 24-13 win over the Spartans. It was just the fifth win in school history against a Big Ten opponent.
“This is a great way to start the year,” said head coach Heath Eslinger. “It's only the beginning but it's a good one. Anytime you can knock off a Big Ten team like Michigan State and a program like Kent State, it is good.”
After senior Sean Boyle opened with a win at 126, MSU’s Javier Gasca posted an 11-3 upset against UTC’s 12th-ranked Nick Soto at 133. The 4-3 deficit for Chattanooga was the only time the Mocs trailed all afternoon.
Sophomore Michael Pongracz answered with a major decision at 141, followed another win from senior Shawn Greevy at 149. MSU closed the gap with a decision at 157, but Chattanooga senior Corey Mock scored a technical fall against Ryan Watts at 165. Sophomore Sean Mappes put the Mocs back in control with a fall at 174. Sophomore Scottie Boykin also had a win.
Chattanooga got out to an early lead and did not look back in the 34-9 win against Northern Illinois. The Mocs took the first four matches, including bonus points in the first three matches. All totaled, UTC won eight of 10 bouts against NIU.
The final match of the day came against Kent State, ranked No. 25 in this week’s Intermat dual rankings. Boyle opened with his third win of the day at 125. Soto defeated No. 17 Mackenzie McGuire 5-4 at 133, followed by Pongracz’s third win at 141.
KSU took the next two to make the team score 12-9 in favor of the Mocs. Mock put UTC up 17-9 with a tech. fall at 165. Mappes battled No. 16 Caleb Marsh to overtime, but lost 5-3 in the extra period. Sophomore John Shrader and Boykin also had wins against KSU.
“The guys did a great job,” added Eslilnger. “We left some individual matches out there that we have to find ways to win but as a whole it was a great team effort and these guys are truly a team. I am honored to be leading them at all times!”
The Mocs are back on the road next weekend with a trip to the Navy Classic. Action takes place in Annapolis, Md., on Nov. 22. The Mocs first home dual match of the year is Dec. 12 vs. Purdue. Season and single-match tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com.
Chattanooga 24 – Michigan State 13
125: No. 16 Sean Boyle (UTC) – Dec. 10-8 - Mitch Rogaliner (MSU) – UTC 3-0
133: Javier Gasca III (MSU) – MD 11-3 – No. 12 Nick Soto (UTC) – MSU 4-3
141: Michael Pongracz (UTC) – MD 9-0 - Garth Yenter (MSU) – UTC 7-4
149: Shawn Greevy (UTC) – Dec. 6-4 - Nicholas Trimble (MSU) – UTC 10-4
157: Roger Wildmo (MSU) – Dec. 6-1 - Austin Sams (UTC) – UTC 10-7
165: No. 10 Corey Mock (UTC) – Tech Fall 17-2 - Ryan Watts (MSU) – UTC 15-7
174: Sean Mappes (UTC) – Fall 2:21 - Nick Proctor (MSU) – 21-7
184: John Rizqallah (MSU) – Dec. 1-0 - John Shrader (UTC) – 21-10
197: Scottie Boykin (UTC) – Dec. 4-0 - Chris Nash (MSU) – 24-10
285: Nick McDiarmid (MSU) – Dec. 7-5 - Jared Johnson (UTC) – 24-13
Chattanooga 34 – Northern Illinois 9
125: No. 16 Sean Boyle (UTC) – MD 9-0 - Derek Elmore (NIU) – UTC 4-0
133: No. 12 Nick Soto (UTC) – MD 11-3 - Jordan Northrup (NIU) – UTC 7-0
141: Michael Pongracz (UTC) – Tech. Fall 17-2 - Tyler Argue (NIU) – UTC 12-0
149: Shawn Greevy (UTC) – Dec. 8-4 - Gabe Morse (NIU) – UTC 15-0
157: Andrew Morse (NIU) – Fall 2:03 - Austin Sams (UTC) – UTC 15-6
165: No. 10 Corey Mock (UTC) – Fall 0:55 - Shaun`Qae McMurtry (NIU) – UTC 21-6
174: McCoy Newberg (UTC) – MD 10-0 - Bryce Gorman (NIU) – UTC 25-6
184: John Lampe (UTC) – MD 17-6 - Quinton Rosser (NIU) – UTC 30-6
197: Shawn Scott (NIU) – Dec. 7-3 - Scottie Boykin (UTC) UTC – 30-9
285: Jared Johnson (UTC) – MD 11-2 - Arthur Bunce (NIU) – 34-9
Chattanooga 23 – No. 25 Kent State 15
125: No. 16 Sean Boyle (UTC) – Dec. 9-3 - Edilberto Vinas (KSU) – UTC 3-0
133: No. 12 Nick Soto (UTC) – Dec. 5-4 - No. 17 Mackenzie McGuire (KSU) – UTC 6-0
141: Michael Pongracz (UTC) – Fall 5:00 - Kyle Bauer (KSU) – UTC 12-0
149: Michael Depalma (KSU) – Dec. 10-8 - Shawn Greevy (UTC) – 12-3
157: Andy Candiello (KSU) – Fall 6:47 - Austin Sams (UTC) – UTC 12-9
165: No. 10 Corey Mock (UTC) – Tech. Fall 17-2 - Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) – UTC 17-9
174: No. 16 Caleb Marsh (KSU) – Dec. 5-3 (OT) - Sean Mappes (UTC) – UTC 17-12
184: John Shrader (UTC) – Dec. 8-5 - Cory Campbell (KSU) – UTC 20-12
197: Scottie Boykin (UTC) – Dec. 12-10 - Stephen Suglio (KSU) – UTC 23-12
285: Mimmo Lytle (KSU) – Dec. 5-3 - Jared Johnson (UTC) – UTC 23-15