UTC Mocs logoThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling season opens its dual-meet competition today against Michigan State, an opponent the Mocs have not faced previously.
The two will meet at Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti as part of a five-team meet.
Following their 11:30 a.m. bout with the Spartans, the Mocs will wrestle Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. and Kent State at 2:30.
"It's a huge opportunity for us. I'm super excited for the team," UTC coach Heath Eslinger said. "Michigan State is a member of the Big Ten, so they obviously will be a good team. I don't know much about Northern Illinois other than the fact that they're in a great conference (Mid-American), and Kent State has shown it can wrestle on a national level."
UTC departed Thursday by charter bus, and Eslinger took extra wrestlers for the three matchups. He definitely planned to use two wrestlers in at least two weights: sophomores Sean Mappes and McCoy Newberg at 174 pounds and sophomores John Lampe and John Shrader at 184. Levi Clemons, the probable 174-pound starter, is recovering from minor knee surgery.
While most of the Mocs are familiar, there are two relatively new wrestlers in the starting lineup. Sean Boyle, a fifth-year senior and a transfer from Michigan State, steps in at 125 pounds, and Jared Johnson, a sophomore who spent most of his time at 197 last year, moves up to heavyweight.
"In Boyle we have a guy who's proven himself at the national tournament. We're a whole lot better with him in the lineup," Eslinger said. "Johnson had a great tournament last week. He's in the lineup to stay."
Johnson went 4-1 at the Hokie Open last Sunday and was one of six Mocs earning medals.
The UTC lineup is headed by seniors Nick Soto (133) and Corey Mock (165), each coming off a 30-win 2013-14 season. Mock is ranked 10th nationally and Soto 12th. The rest of the lineup is expected to be Michael Pongracz (141), Shawn Greevy (149), Austin Sams (157) and Scottie Boykin (197).
Soto has moved into UTC's all-time-wins top 10 and passed Pat Murphy (1980-83) for ninth at the Hokie Open. With 88 wins, he's two behind eighth-place Tom Sell.
Malone is done
Mocs heavyweight Kevin Malone, who suffered a devastating knee injury last fall, will not attempt to return to competition. He is scheduled to graduate in December. Dawson Peck, who wrestled at 285 last year after Malone was injured, is no longer on the team.
Harris helps staff
Former UTC wrestler Guy Harris is serving as the team's volunteer assistant, a position formerly held by Niko Brown, a more recent former Moc. Eslinger promoted Brown to a full-time assistant's position and also hired Jeff Bedard.
"They're doing an unbelievable job. They have done so well since they stepped in. I'm happy and the guys are happy," Eslinger said.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.