Mocs will start at least three true freshmen in meet vs. Stanford

November 7, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated November 7, 2015 at 12:53 a.m.

by Ward Gossett

Chris DeBien, left, looks for an advantage against Alex Ward during the Blue vs. Gold UTC wrestling exhibition Oct. 29 at Maclellan Gym. DeBien is one of at least three true freshman in the starting lineup for today's match against Stanford.
Chris DeBien, left, looks for an advantage against Alex Ward during the Blue vs. Gold UTC wrestling exhibition Oct. 29 at Maclellan Gym. DeBien is one of at least three true freshman in the starting lineup for today's match against Stanford.

Probable matchups

› 125: Alonzo Allen (UTC) vs. Connor Schram› 133: Chris DeBien (UTC) vs. Mason Pengilly› 141: Michael Pongracz or Roman Boylen (UTC) vs. Joey McKenna› 149: Andrew Webb (UTC) vs. Tommy Pawelski› 157: Kamaal Shakur (UTC) vs. Max Hvolbek› 165: Dominic Lampe (UTC) vs. Jim Wilson› 174: Sean Mappes (UTC) vs. Keaton Subjeck› 184: John Lampe (UTC) vs. Garet Krohn› 197: Scottie Boykin (UTC) vs. Michael Sojka› 285: Jared Johnson (UTC) vs. Nathan Butler

photo Dominic Lampe, left, wrestles Barrett Walthall during the Oct. 29 Blue vs. Gold UTC wrestling exhibition.

At least three true freshmen will be in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling lineup as the Mocs host Stanford today.

The three sure freshman starters for the 11 a.m. season-opening meet are Alonzo Allen (125 pounds), Chris DeBien (133) and Dominic Lampe (165). It's possible also that true freshman Roman Boylen will be in the lineup at 141 pounds and/or classmate Andrew Webb at 149.

In addition, true freshman Trey Watson will be at 157 pounds if redshirt freshman Kamaal Shakur doesn't start there.

"I don't know if this is our youngest team. Maybe. At the end of the day nobody is really young. They're all college wrestlers," said Mocs coach Heath Eslinger, whose team was picked to win the Southern Conference again. "It's all about growth - being mentally, emotionally mature. We don't worry so much about age as maturity."

UTC is not without experience, but much is in the upper weights. The top four are returning starters: Sean Mappes (174), John Lampe (184), Scottie Boykins (197) and Jared Johnson (285). It's likely that junior Michael Pongracz will be at 141 pounds.

Stanford is 1-0, beating Cal Poly 35-6 earlier this week. The Cardinal return nine starters on a squad that includes 21 lettermen and four NCAA qualifiers. Leading the way is returning All-American Jim Wilson, who is ranked fourth at 165 pounds. Stanford also has ranked wrestlers at 141 (No. 12 Joey McKenna) and heavyweight (No. 13 Nathan Butler).

"They're really solid, but I think that like us everyone already is dealing with injuries," Eslinger said.

Both teams will depart immediately following the meet to get on the road for Blacksburg, Va., and Sunday's Hokie Open.

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.

photo University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head wrestling coach Heath Eslinger yells as the UTC team defeats Oklahoma in this Feb. 15, 2015, file photo.

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