Chattanooga Mocs wrestler Lincoln Heck is the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week. It’s his first such honor announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon.
Heck literally led the Mocs to a 30-9 triumph opening SoCon action at VMI. His match at 157 was where the match started with a 14-2 major decision setting the tone.
He earned takedowns around a solitary escape in the first period against Job Chishko. Heck then rode his opponent for the entirety of the second to claim the riding time bonus effectively putting him up four with 2:00 to wrestle.
Heck saved his best for the final period netting nine additional with an escape to begin the third and then two takedowns and four back points for the early 4-0 dual lead.
"I think he wrestled smarter," Coach Kyle Ruschell noted.
"He's been working on a lot of things edge of mat. He's trying to get to his offense, and you saw him open up a lot in the third period. He scored nine points in the third period to get that major, and that just shows him that what we're working on works.
"It's just going to make him a better wrestler. Proud of him, he's a guy that just comes in and works."
It’s the fourth time a Moc has won the award this season. Heck joins football’s Reuben Lowery III (Nov. 9) and women’s basketball’s Abbey Cornelius, a 2-time winner this season on Nov. 30 and Dec. 28
The Mocs return to Maclellan Gym for two straight. No. 24 West Virginia comes to the Scenic City next Friday, while Davidson makes its way there the following Saturday with both matches starting at 7 p.m.
NEXT 3 MATCHES
Jan. 13: #24 West Virginia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21: Davidson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27: at Presbyterian, 6 p.m.