The Chattanooga wrestling team improved to 8-7 on the year with a 25-12 win at Appalachian State tonight. The Mocs are now 2-0 in Southern Conference action heading into Sunday's match at UNC Greensboro. UTC is tied with the Spartans, who are also 2-0, in the Southern Conference race.
Freshman Demetrius Johnson started off the night with his third straight win, a 20-4 technical fall against Austin Annas at 125. Johnson is now 4-3 on the season. His win gave the Mocs a 5-0 that they held on to for the entire match.
Sophomore Josh Statum fell to Frank Celorrio, the current SoCon Wrestler of the Week, 3-2 at 133. Statum's match came down to riding time and the extra point awarded to Celorrio gave him the win.
UTC junior Cody Clevend, ranked No. 8 in the nation this week, grabbed the first of five consecutive matches by the Mocs. He earned a major decision, 19-8, over Mike Kessler to move to 15-4 on the year.
The next three matches, Chattanooga won by two points or less, starting at 149 with freshman Kelly Felix's 7-5 decision over Savva Kostis. Felix scored a takedown with 10 seconds left in the match to secure the win and improve to 4-4 on the season.
Freshman Brandon Wright (157) was able to edge Chip Powell 5-4, a match that also came down to the final seconds. Wright held on to move to 7-6 on the year and has now won three of his last four contests.
At 165, Seth Garvin scored with three seconds left to edge Kyle Blevins for a 7-5 decision. Garvin, ranked No. 19 in the country, is now 16-7 on the year. His 16 wins lead the team.
Appalachian earned six points when Dylan Temple earned a forfeit victory at 184. ASU's David Pritz kept the winning going for the Mountaineers at 197 as he beat freshman Ethan Winel 3-2.
In the final match of the night, freshman Cody Sliger won a physical contest over Brandon Brothers 5-1. The win snaps a four-match losing streak for Sliger who is now 8-10 on the year.
Sunday's match with UNC-Greensboro (2-9, 2-0 SoCon) is set 1:00 p.m. in Fleming Gym in Greensboro, N.C. The Mocs next home match is Friday, Jan. 30 against Campbesville and The Citadel. Action begins at 6:00 p.m. in McKenzie Arena.
UTC 25 ? Appalachian State 12
125- Demetrius Johnson (UTC) Tech. Fall Austin Annas (ASU) 20-4, 5-0 UTC
133- Frank Celorrio (ASU) dec. Josh Statum (UTC) 3-2, 5-3 UTC
141- No. 8 Cody Cleveland (UTC) maj. Dec. Mike Kessler (ASU) 19-8, 9-3 UTC
149- Kelly Felix (UTC) dec. Savva Kostis (ASU) 7-5, 12-3 UTC
157- Brandon Wright (UTC) dec. Chip Powell (ASU) 5-4 dec., 15-3 UTC
165- William Gavia (UTC) dec. Kyle Blevins (ASU) 7-5, 18-3 UTC
174- Jason McCroskey (UTC) dec. Antionne Jones (ASU) 16-7, 22-3 UTC
184- Dylan Temple (ASU) win by FF 24-9, UTC, 21-9 UTC
197- David Pritz (ASU) dec. Ethan Winel (UTC) 3-2, 21-12 UTC
285- Cody Sliger (UTC) dec. Brandon Brothers (ASU) 5-1, 25-12 UTC
