Mark your calendars. Spread the word. Tell ‘em far and wide…the 2023-24 Chattanooga Mocs wrestling schedule is out. The Mocs look to utilize 17 duals and two in-season tournaments to prepare for March glory.
"We're excited to get started," Coach Kyle Ruschell shared. "I think it's a schedule that challenges and prepares us for conference as well as national events. That's important.
"We're always focused on competing hard in every match to put us in the best position for the postseason.
To give ourselves the opportunity to be at our best when it's time to climb on a podium."
It starts for one October 22-23. Junior Noah Castillo heads to Albania for the World Championships representing Puerto Rico. The full squad hits the mat for the first time in November opening at the Southeast Open before duals start on Nov. 11 in Athens, Ohio, against Ohio and Ashland.
The full slate includes six home duals. That includes visits from Little Rock, Queens, Davidson, The Citadel, Presbyterian and Appalachian State. There’s also the annual Southern Scuffle at the New Year bringing a premier field to the Scenic City and McKenzie Arena.
"The Southern Scuffle is a premier event on the national stage," Ruschell added. "We are honored to host it. I think Brayden Palmer will tell you how special it is when you're a Moc making a run in the event.
"It's a great showcase for the Chattanooga wrestling community."
First look is one of our favorite traditions. The Blue-Gold match returns to football tailgating at the Finley Stadium Pavilion at 10:30 a.m., on Oct. 21 leading into the 1:30 p.m., kickoff against ETSU.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., today (Sept. 19). Season tickets start as low as $45 for UTC employees/alumni and $55 for general public. That’s for general admission at Maclellan Gym as well as Gold Circle seating at the Roundhouse for the Southern Scuffle.
OCTOBER
Oct. 21 – Blue vs. Gold Exhibition, 10:30 a.m. (Pavilion at Finley Stadium)
NOVEMBER
Nov. 4 – @Southeast Open (Salem, Va.), All Day
Nov. 11 – @Ohio, 1 p.m. | vs. Ashland, 3 p.m.
DECEMBER
Dec. 2 – vs. Kent State, Noon | vs. Buffalo, 2 p.m. (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
Dec. 16 – Little Rock, 4 p.m. | Queens, 5:30 p.m. (Maclellan Gym)
JANUARY
Jan. 1-2 – SOUTHERN SCUFFLE (McKenzie Arena), All Day
Jan. 13 – @Lindenwood, 2 p.m.
Jan. 19 – @Duke, 6 p.m.
Jan. 21 – *@VMI, 1 p.m.
Jan. 28 – *Davidson, 2 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1 – *The Citadel, 5 p.m.
Feb. 3 – *@Gardner-Webb, TBA
Feb. 9 – *Presbyterian, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 – *Appalachian State, 2 p.m.
Feb. 17 – *@Campbell, 2 p.m.
Feb. 23 – *@Indiana, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25 – *@Bellarmine, 1 p.m.
MARCH
March 9 – Southern Conference Championships (Boone, N.C.), All Day
March 21-23 – NCAA Championships (Kansas City, Mo.), All Day