UTC wrestling head coach Heath EslingerRunning like a thoroughbred with new shoes and an ultralight jockey, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga left VMI flatfooted at the starting gate and galloped to a 41-0 Southern Conference wrestling victory Monday night in Lexington, Va.
The victory In the Mocs’ final dual meet of the season was their first shutout since early in Heath Eslinger’s inaugural season as head coach. They beat Gardner-Webb 47-0 and Anderson University 40-0 on Nov. 14, 2009.
The win also snapped a three-meet losing streak and boosted Eslinger into fifth place on UTC’s all-time coching victories list. He had been tied with Ralph Manning (1991-95) but now has a record of 34-22, five wins behind his predecessor, Chris Bono (39-17, 2007-09).
The Mocs’ reward was a steak with a baked potato and a steamed vegetable — to be eaten on the bus ride home — primarily because Eslinger was hoping to avoid another freeway snarl like the one Sunday that left them frozen on Interstate 81 for six-plus hours. The Mocs pulled out from UTC at noon Sunday but didn’t get to Lexington until 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The way they wrestled, though, Eslinger might consider chartering a bus to ride around for 10-12 hours before the Southern Conference tournament at McKenzie Arena on March 3.