The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s wrestling team competed against Virginia and Maryland on day one of the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. on Friday afternoon. Instead of the traditional dual format, UTC competed in individual matches against Virginia wrestlers. The Mocs concluded the opening day with a 24-14 setback to the Maryland Terrapins.
UTC fell to 3-6 on the season, while Maryland improved to 5-3.
Fabian Gutierrez, Brayden Palmer and Carial Tarter all took home wins in their first contests of the Virginia Duals vs.
Virginia individuals. Gutierrez began action at 125 pounds with a 16-1 technical fall over UVA’s Patrick McCormick.
Palmer kept his success from the Southern Scuffle going at 133 with the highest ranked win of his career, a 4-0 decision over No. 14 Brian Courtney. It was Courtney’s first loss of the season.
At 174 pounds, Tarter posted a sudden victory decision over Robby Patrick, 6-4 to wrap up the three UTC wins in the opener.
Matthew Waddell (184) and Weston Wichman (157) both dropped narrow decisions decided by two points or less. Waddell’s came in overtime.
Against Maryland, Gutierrez continued his dominance at 125 pounds with an 8-0 major decision. After back to back wins by Maryland, Noah Castillo picked up a 10-6 decision to cut UTC’s deficit to two at 9-7. Following Castillo’s win, Lincoln Heck got onto the mat for the first time in dual action this season and picked up a 13-4 major decision over UMD’s Lucas Cordio.
Drew Nicholson continued the Mocs’ success at the middle of the lineup with a 9-4 decision following two takedowns and a reversal in the third period.
Maryland concluded the dual with four victories at the bottom of the lineup to earn the 24-14 win.
The Terps and the Mocs met for the first time since 1995. UMD now holds a 3-0 advantage in the series over the UTC.
Tomorrow, the Mocs conclude action at the Virginia Duals. The Blue and Gold will face Kent State at 10 a.m. and South Dakota State at 2 p.m.
CHATTANOOGA VS. VIRGINIA
125: No. 22 Fabian Gutierrez (UTC) over Patrick McCormick (UVA) (TF 16-1)
133: No. 21 Brayden Palmer (UTC) over No. 14 Brian Courtney (UVA) (DEC 4-0)
149: Jarod Verkleeren (UVA) over Noah Castillo (UTC) (DEC 8-1)
157: Jake Keating (UVA) over Weston Wichman (UTC) (DEC 11-10)
165: No. 16 Justin McCoy (UVA) over Drew Nicholson (UTC) (DEC 10-5)
174: Carial Tarter (UTC) over Robby Patrick (UVA) (SV DEC 6-4)
184: Michael Battista (UVA) over Matthew Waddell (UTC) (SV DEC 3-1)
CHATTANOOGA 14, MARYLAND 24
125: No. 22 Fabian Gutierrez (UTC) over Tommy Capul (UMD) (MD 8-0)
133: King Sandoval (UMD) over Brayden Palmer (UTC) (Fall 1:25)
141: Danny Bertoni (UMD) over Franco Valdes (UTC) (SV DEC 6-1)
149: Noah Castillo (UTC) over Michael North (UMD) (DEC 10-6)
157: Lincoln Heck (UTC) over Lucas Cordio (UMD) (MD 13-4)
165: Drew Nicholson (UTC) over Gaven Bell (UMD) (DEC 9-4)
174: Dominic Solis (UMD) over Carial Tarter (UTC) (DEC 3-0)
184: No. 12 Kyle Cochran (UMD) over Matthew Waddell (UTC) (DEC 7-3)
197: No. 31 Jaron Smith (UMD) over Nicholas Benton (UTC) (TF 15-0, 5:22)
HWT: No. 26 Zach Schrader (UMD) over Grayson Walthall (UTC) (MD 12-3)