The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team is back on the road this weekend at the Wolfpack Open. The Mocs take part in the one-day tournament on Sunday, Nov. 22, at North Carolina State University.
Action starts at 9:00 a.m. (E.S.T.) at N.C. State's Carmichael Gym in Raleigh, N.C. Fans can follow the action through Trackwrestling. A direct link to coverage of the tournament is available on the wrestling schedule page on GoMocs.com.
Chattanooga Mocs Probable Lineup
125: Alonzo Allen (Fr.
– 6-1)
133: Chris Debien (Fr. – 5-1)
141: Michael Pongracz (Jr. – 1-0)
149: Jacob Murphy (So. – 1-2)
157: Kamaal Shakur (Fr. – 4-2)
165: Dominic Lampe (Fr. – 5-1)
174: Sean Mappes (Jr. – 5-2), Justin Lampe (So. – 5-0), Barrett Walthall (So. – 2-2)
184: John Lampe (Sr. – 6-1), D.J. Franklin-Smith (0-0)
197: No. 10 Scottie Boykin (Jr. - 4-1)
285: No. 15 Jared Johnson (2-0), Connor Tolley (Fr. – 1-2)
UTC will again field a young lineup as its five freshmen among the probables continue gain valuable experience. The Mocs had a strong showing at the Hokie Open earlier in the year and are 2-1 in dual matches.
Juniors Scottie Boykin and Jared Johnson are climbing the rankings at 197 and heavyweight, respecitvely. Boykin is up to No. 10, while Johnson is ranked 15th, in this week's Intermat Top-20.
Chattanooga was picked to win the Southern Conference race for the 30th time since joining the league in 1978. UTC returns six starters and four NCAA qualifiers from last year's team that went 13-6 overall and 7-0 in league action.
Chattanooga almost scored an upset over then-No. 24 Stanford on the opening weekend, falling to the Cardinal 19-16 in Maclellan Gym. UTC also has shutout wins over Cumberland and Southeastern.
Head Coach Heath Eslinger is in his seventh season at UTC. A two-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year, he owns a 76-42 (.644) career dual record.