CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---It was a not a bright, shiny day in Chattanooga, and that carried itself into Maclellan Gym as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (4-5) wrestling team split a pair of matches against Virginia Tech and Anderson on Sunday afternoon.  The Mocs lost their opening match with the Hokies (3-0) 37-0, but then bounced back with a 34-13 triumph over Anderson (1-3).

 

The already banged-up Mocs squad was even more short-handed this day.  UTC knew going in it would be without the services of senior Seth Garvin at 165.  The news got a little worse over the Thanksgiving break when senior Steve Hromada (133) chose to quit the team.  With no backup at the position, the loss of Hromada spotted Virginia Tech (3-0) six points before the match began.

 

With redshirt freshman Demetrius Johnson out of action due to a tonsillectomy, true freshman Paul Garza struggled in the opening match dropping an 11-3 major decision to the Hokies Jarrod Garnett.  The stunner came in the next match at 141 as Christopher Diaz scored an upset over No. 3 Cody Cleveland on an 8-6 decision.

 

With the Mocs on the ropes, the Hokies turned up the heat.  Virginia Tech rattled off four straight decisions to jump out to a 25-0 lead and drained the energy out of a raucous crowd in Big Mac.  A pin at 184 and two decisions provided the final margin of 37-0.

 

The start of the Anderson match was much of the same as C.J. Hamilton overmatched Garza with a 10-1 major decision.  After the forfeit at 133, the Mocs were down 10-0 once again, but this time Cleveland answered.

 

The junior All-America broke through with the first points of the day for Chattanooga with an 11-3 major decision over Ronald Lofton.  Nick DiCarlo put the Vikings up 13-4 with a 3-2 decision over Daniel Waddell at 149.

 

Joey Knox turned the tide of the day for the Mocs at 157.  Ranked No. 18 nationally, Knox pinned Josh Delmontagne at 4:59 to give Chattanooga a little life.  Brandon Wright followed with a 6-4 decision over Trevor Sanford to tie the score at 13.

 

Anderson had to forfeit at 174 and 184 giving the Mocs a 25-13 cushion.  Tyler Roberson (197) posted a decision and Cody Sliger (285) a pin to give the Mocs the 34-13 win.

 

Sliger, a true freshman, scored his first dual win with the pin at 4:43.  He was not alone in notching his first career victory as Brandon Wright also captured his first dual win.

 

Chattanooga returns to the mat on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., at 2 p.m.  Garvin is expected to ready for action and Ben Johnson should be eligible to compete at 133.

 

RESULTS

 

Chattanooga 0

Virginia Tech 37

 

Individual Matches

Wt	Winner (School)	WinType	Loser (School)	Score
125	Jarrod Garnett (VT)	MD	Paul Garza (UTC)	3 - 11
133	Jared Jones (VT)	For	Forfeit (UTC)
141	Christopher Diaz (VT)	DEC	No. 3 Cody Cleveland (UTC)	6 - 8
149	Peter Yates (VT)	DEC	Daniel Waddell (UTC)	1 - 8
157	Jesse Dong (VT)	DEC	No. 18 Joseph  Knox (UTC)	4 - 7
165	Matt Epperly (VT)	DEC	Brandon Wright (UTC)	2 - 3
174	Anthony Trongone (VT)	DEC	Jason McCroskey (UTC)	2 - 3
184	Thomas Spellman (VT)	FALL	Kyle McKee (UTC)	5:22
197	Daniel Bruce (VT)	DEC	Ethan Winel (UTC)	3 - 10
285	David Marone (VT)	DEC	Cody Sliger (UTC)	3 - 4

 

Chattanooga 34

Anderson 13

 

Individual Matches

Wt	Winner (School)	WinType	Loser (School)	Score
125	Carlton Hamilton (AU)	MD	Paul Garza (UTC)	1 - 10
133	Christopher Francis (AU)	For	Forfeit (UTC)
141	No. 3 Cody Cleveland (UTC)	MD	Ronald Lofton (AU)	11 - 3
149	Nick DiCarlo (AU)	DEC	Daniel Waddell (UTC)	2 - 3
157	No. 18 Joseph  Knox (UTC)	FALL	Josh Delmontagne (AU)	4:59
165	Brandon Wright (UTC)	DEC	Trevor Sanford (AU)	6 - 4
174	Jason McCroskey (UTC)	For	Forfeit (AU)
184	Kyle McKee (UTC)	For	Forfeit (AU)
197	Tyler Roberson (UTC)	DEC	Zach Anderson (AU)	7 - 6
285	Cody Sliger (UTC)	FALL	Jonah Adams (AU)	4:43