The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team is picked third in the 2018-19 Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced today. UTC grabbed 27 points to trail Appalachian State and Campbell.
The Mountaineers totaled 36 points, including six first place nods, while the Camels had 30 points with one first place vote. Head coaches are not allowed to vote their team in the preseason polls.
Senior Alonzo Allen is the favorite to repeat as league champion at 125 pounds. He won last year's title with a 22-10 overall record and a 6-1 mark in league matches.
The Mocs were 8-7 in duals last year and finished second in the Southern Conference regular season race with a 6-1 league tally. UTC lost at App.
State (18-16) in its only league setback of the season. The Mocs also finished second to the Mountaineers at the SoCon Tournament in Charleston, S.C.
Chattanooga returns three starters to the lineup under first-year head coach Kyle Ruschell. Fans can catch the first action of the season this weekend at the Blue-Gold Match. First whistle is Saturday, Oct. 27, at Noon in the First Tennessee Pavilion.
Season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com. This package includes the five home duals and the Southern Scuffle. Click the "Tickets" tab on GoMocs.com for more information or to purchase.
2018-19 Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Appalachian State (6) - 36
2. Campbell (1) - 30
3. Chattanooga - 27
4. Gardner-Webb - 21
5. VMI - 14
6. The Citadel - 11
7. Davidson - 8
() denotes first-place votes
2018-19 Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team
125: Alonzo Allen, Chattanooga
135: Codi Russell, Appalachian State
141: Irvin Enriquez, Appalachian State
149: Matt Zovistoski, Appalachian State
157: Tyler Marinelli, Gardner-Webb
165: Neal Richards, VMI
174: Andrew Morgan, Campbell
184: Alan Clothier, Appalachian State
197: Randall Diabe, Appalachian State
HWT: Cary Miller, Appalachian State