The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team has inked one of the top-25 early-season recruiting classes according to Wrestling Insider News (WIN) magazine.? The Mocs have commitments from four student-athletes in the early signing period and sit at No. 23 on the WIN recruiting class list.?
Chattanooga received its top-25 ranking thanks to four prep wrestlers who signed National Letters of Intent in November.? This group is highlighted by two high school state champions, including Marvin Lopez (Cleveland, Tenn.) and Nick Soto (Spring Hill, Fla.).?
Lopez is a local product from Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tenn.? He won the 130-pound title in Tennessee in 2010 and was a runner-up in 2009.
Soto joins the Mocs from Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla.? He was a state champion in Florida with a 45-0 mark in 2010 and fourth as a sophomore in 2009.? Fairfield, Ohio, native Austin Sams rounds out the class.? He placed fifth at the 2010 Ohio State Championships, despite tearing his ACL in the event.?
The Mocs will also welcome Division I transfer T.J. Mitchell (Lawrenceville, Ga.) following fall exams.? He comes to Chattanooga from Virginia Tech and looks to step in immediately at the 133 slot.? The former prep National Champion was 1-2 in three matches at 125 for the Hokies this season.? He is also a former two-time state champion for Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga.
"I am very excited about this recruiting class," stated UTC wrestling head coach Heath Eslinger.? "We have filled some needs with some very accomplished student-athletes.? This class represents the talent and commitment to excellence, both on and off the mat, that we are building in the Chattanooga Wrestling program."?
Marvin Lopez - 141 - Cleveland, Tenn. -?Cleveland HS
Member of the Class of 2011 at?Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tenn ... 2010 TSSAA State Champion at 130 ... competes for head coach Eric Phillips ... runner-up in the state competition as a junior ... ?PERSONAL ... Born Feb. 28, 1992 ... son of Barbara Lopez ... has three siblings, two older and one younger ... undecided on a major.?
T.J. Mitchell - 133 - Lawrenceville, Ga. - Collins Hill HS
Transferred from Virginia Tech and is eligible immediately ... will have three years of eligibility remaining after the 2010-11 season ... posted a 1-2 mark at 125 for the Hokies, but will compete at 133 for UTC ... PRIOR TO UTC ... Ranked 16th in the country at 125 by InterMat following his senior year ... won the NHSCA Senior National Championship ... won state titles as a junior and senior at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga ... same high school as current Moc Devante Brown ... took second at the Toshiba Midwest Championship and fifth at the Super 32 Challenge ... was an undefeated AA 103-pound state champion as a freshman at Wesleyan High, where he also was crowned Gwinnett County and area champion ... placed third in AAAAA at 112 pounds as a sophomore ... posted a four-year record of 213-9 with 149 pins ... PERSONAL ... Thomas Anthony Mitchell, Jr. was born August 15, 1991 ... son of Tom and Gretchen Mitchell ... has three younger siblings ... plans to major in Business.
Austin Sams - 149 - Fairfield, Ohio - Fairfield HS
Member of the Class of 2011 at Fairfield HS in Fairfield, Ohio ... finished fifth at the 2010 OHSAA State Tournament, despite tearing his ACL during the event ... posted a 32-7 overall record during his junior season ... second Team All-Butler County at 135 as a junior ... two-time second-team all-city selection ... currently ranked No. 1 at 140 in the Ohio Division I Southwest ?... wrestles for head coach Ron Masanek ... member of the Fairfield HS Captain Council and an honor roll student ... PERSONAL ... Full name is Austin Steven Sams ... son of Renee and Steven Sams ... born Nov. 19, 1992 ... has two younger brothers, Adam and Andrew ... plans to major in Physical Therapy.
Nick Soto - 133 - Spring Hill, Fla. - Springstead HS
Class of 2011 at Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla ... 2010 Florida State Champion ... posted a perfect 45-0 record as a junior ... finished No. 4 in the state as a sophomore ... finished 46-6 overall in 2009 ... wrestles for head coach Eric Swensen ... winner of the Springstead Eagle Pride Award and named the Hernando County Athlete of the Year ... PERSONAL ... Full name is Nicholas Carlin Ivan Soto ... born Oct. 3, 1992 ... son of Chris and Mary Soto ... has one older brother, Dustin, who wrestles at Notre Dame of Ohio ... plans to major in Business.
