University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling head coach Heath Eslinger released the Mocs' 2016-17 schedule today. UTC has six home duals, plus the annual Southern Scuffle, on its upcoming slate.
Chattanooga opens the season with the Blue & Gold match on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Maclellan Gym. The first regular season dual is a home contest against Southeastern on Nov. 5 at 11:00 a.m.
The highlight of the home schedule is a Dec. 4 contest against Virginia in Maclellan Gym.
The Mocs won the final three matches of last year's dual to post a 19-18 win in Charlottesville against the No. 19 Cavaliers.
Season tickets also went on sale today, with a very special incentive to buy this year's package. The first 50 tickets sold include mat-side seating for the Virginia match. Prices start at $55 and include a general admission tickets to both days of the Southern Scuffle. Tickets can be purchased onGoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).
If you want to lock up the best seats in the house for the Scuffle before they go on sale on an individual basis, you can purchase a reserved season ticket for $65. This includes the best available lower level ticket to both days of the Scuffle, as well as the mat-side seat to the Virginia match.
Other non-conference dates are on the road against Virginia Tech (Nov. 13), Ohio (Dec. 16) and Kent State (Dec. 18). All three finished in the top-30 at last year's NCAAs, led by the Hokies at No. 4, the Golden Flashes at No. 16 and the Bobcats at No. 29.
The Mocs also have an opportunity to compete in the NWCA National Duals on Feb. 18 if they win the Southern Conference regular season title.
The Southern Scuffle is back in McKenzie Arena for its traditional Jan. 1-2 dates. A full lineup of teams will be announced in the coming weeks. The Scuffle just extended its partnership with FloWrestling to enhance the online viewing and promotion of the top collegiate in-season tournament in the country.
UTC is also traveling to the Lindenwood Open (Nov. 19) and the Virginia Duals (Jan. 13-14).
There are four home SoCon matches, beginning with VMI on Nov. 10. Other home conference duals are Jan. 8 against Campbell, Jan. 28 against Davidson and Feb. 12 versus The Citadel. The Mocs travel to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (Jan. 21), Gardner-Webb (Feb. 3) and Appalachian State (Feb. 5) in league action.
The SoCon Tournament is set for March 4 in Charleston, S.C. The NCAA Championships are March 16-18 in St. Louis, Mo.