The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team picked up two wins in Southern Conference action in Davidson, N.C., Saturday. The Mocs opened with a 36-3 win over VMI, followed by a 37-6 victory against the host Wildcats.
"We did a lot better job of doing the hard things today … mat returns, scoring at the end of periods and just wrestling the Chattanooga way," stated UTC head coach Kyle Rushell. "Overall, I was proud of the way we competed compared to last week. That wasn't us but today shows signs of getting better because we have a tough opponent next weekend."
UTC improved its record to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in league duals, dropping only two matches overall on the day. VMI dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in league duals, while Davidson moved to 1-2 overall and in SoCon action.
The Mocs will be without two starters for the rest of the season with juniors Tanner Smith (149) and Hunter Fortner (174) both out with injuries. Their replacements, junior Aidan Murphy (149) and sophomore Carial Tarter (174), are both moving up a weight and both scored a pair of wins today.
"It was great to see those guys get comfortable in the lineup and score two wins," added Ruschell. "It is their spot from here on, so it was good for them to step in and do what we ask, which is to be ready to compete hard."
Chattanooga 36, VMI 3
125: No.
21 Fabian Gutierrez (UTC) fall over Cliff Conway (VMI), 4:33
133: Colton Landers (UTC) tech. fall over Luke Fegley (VMI), 17-0, (5:16)
141: Franco Valdes (UTC) maj. dec. over Freddy Junko (VMI), 12-3
149: Aidan Murphy (UTC) dec. over Job Chisko (VMI), 4-0
157: Weston Wichman (UTC) dec. over Seth Fillers (VMI), 4-0
165: Drew Nicholson (UTC) maj. dec. over Jon Hoover (VMI), 8-0
174: Carial Tarter (UTC) dec. over Joel Diaz (VMI), 6-2
184: Matthew Waddell (UTC) dec. over Chase Mielnik (VMI), 14-7
197: Tyler Mousaw (VMI) dec. over Logan Andrew (UTC), 3-2
285: Grayson Walthall (UTC) fall over Soloman Harris (VMI), 3:56
Extra Matches:
141: Josh Yost (VMI) dec. over Matthew Williams (UTC), 12-8
Senior Fabian Gutierrez set the tone early with a second-period pin over Cliff Conway in the VMI match. UTC scored bonus points in the first three wins, running out to a 15-0 lead. Junior Colton Landers had a tech fall at 133, while junior Franco Valdes scored a major decision at 141.
Murphy kept the momentum going with a 4-0 shutout over Job Chisko. Chisko came into the weekend with a 5-0 record on the year. Freshman Weston Wichman and junior Drew Nicholson also kept the Keydets off the board with a 4-0 decision and an 8-0 major, respectively.
Tarter got his first win at 174 with a 6-2 decision over Joel Diaz. That clinched the dual win for the Mocs. Junior Matthew Waddell followed with a 14-7 decision at 184 before VMI got on the board with a win at 197. Junior Grayson Walthall closed out the dual with a pin over Soloman Harris at heavyweight.
Chattanooga 37, Davidson 6
125: No. 22 Fabian Gutierrez (UTC) winner by forfeit
133: Colton Landers (UTC) dec. over Kyle Gorant (DC), 5-3
141: Franco Valdes (UTC) maj. dec. over Gavin Damasco (DC), 11-3
149: Aidan Murphy (UTC) dec. over David Loniewski (DC), 7-2
157: Grant Lundy (UTC) maj. dec. over Erik Eva (DC), 17-2, (3:53)
165: Drew Nicholson (UTC) maj. dec. over Anthony Spera (DC), 11-3
174: Carial Tarter (UTC) dec. over Jaden Hardrick (DC), 3-2
184: Matthew Waddell (UTC) fall over Gavin Henry (DC), 4:45
197: Finlay Holton (DC) fall over Logan Andrew (UTC), 1:13
285: Grayson Walthall (UTC) dec. over Mitchell Trigg (DC), 5-3
Extra Matches:
149: Garrett Stewart (DC) maj. dec. over George Coleman (UTC), 9-1
The Davidson match started much like the first bout with the Mocs jumping out to a 6-0 lead after a forfeit at 125. Landers scored a decision at 133, followed by another major decision from Valdes at 141. Valdes improved to 5-0 on the year with his two wins today.
Murphy scored another decision at 149, while freshman Grant Lundy stepped in at 157 for a major decision. Nicholson added a major at 165 before Tarter eaked out a 3-2 win at 174.
Waddell clinched the dual with pin at 184 before the Wildcats scored their only points with a fall at 197. Walthall again closed out the dual at heavyweight with a 5-3 decision.
Up next for the Mocs is a trip to Boone, N.C., to face Appalachian State and Presbyterian. Action takes place on Sunday, Jan. 31, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (E.S.T.).