UTC's new wrestling room.The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga made its debut in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 for Monday, showing up at No. 23. The Mocs are the only ranked Southern Conference team.
"Yeah, it's a great start. You look at the list and there are really probably only a handful of mid-majors in there," UTC coach Heath Eslinger said.
The Mocs are fresh from a three-match appearance at the Eastern Michigan Duals this past weekend in Ypsilanti, Mich., where they defeated Michigan State, Northern Illinois and Kent State.
The watchword for Eslinger and his team has been consistency. The Mocs also were ranked in the Top 25 a year ago (as high as 19th), but it was much later in the season before they entered.
"I think the best thing is that it shows some consistency, that year after year we're trying to put great teams out there," the coach said. "I'm super happy for the kids and I know they're super happy for the program. There's a ton of time to move up but also a ton of time to fall out if we don't do what we need to do in the practice room and as wrestlers and students."
There are three Mocs in the latest individual rankings from Amateur Wrestling News: Nick Soto (133 pounds, 12th), Corey Mock (165, 12th) and Sean Boyle (125, 18th). Mock had an outstanding weekend at Eastern Michigan, recording a pin and two technical falls.
UTC returns to action this weekend at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.