125 | 133

Preparations behind the scenes are kicking into gear with exactly two weeks left before showtime at the 2015 Defense Soap & Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle.  Action takes place at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the McKenzie Arena on Jan. 1-2. 

We have already had a look at the 125 and 133 brackets, so today's #LetsScuffle preview breaks down the competition at 141 and 149.  Before we get started, click on the ticket link at the top of the page and get your tickets now.  You can also call the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).       

The two favorites at 141 are both redshirting this season.  Penn State sophomore Zain Retherford won last year's Scuffle title and was fourth at the NCAA Championships.  North Carolina senior Evan Henderson is a two-time All-American and placed fifth at the Scuffle a year ago. 

The 141 bracket could include either, neither or both of these wrestlers, which could make for a very exciting final on Friday.  With or without these two All-Americans, there is a stacked group of competitors ready to take the mat at 141. 

“This is definitely going to be a fun bracket to watch,” stated UTC head coach Heath Eslinger.  “There are a bunch of evenly-matched guys and it is anyone's tournament to win.”

Michigan senior Stephen Dutton, a 2014 All-American, leads the rest of the group at No. 5 in this week's Intermat individual rankings.  Missouri sophomore Lavion Mayes (8) and Central Michigan junior Zack Horan (10) are two others ranked in the top 10.  Horan finished eighth in last year's tournament.

2014 Scuffle finalist Joe Spisak is also back.  The Virginia junior is No. 13 in Intermat this week.  Other ranked wrestlers include No. 14 Joey Ward (So. – North Carolina), No. 15 Mark Grey (So. – Cornell), No. 17 Geordan Martinez (Fr. – Boise State), No. 19 Sam Speno (Jr. – N.C. State) and No. 20 Anthony Abidin (Jr. – Nebraska).  Grey placed seventh at 133 last year.

The Mocs will send out sophomore Michael Pongracz at 141.  He is currently 10-5 overall, including a third place finish at the Navy Classic.  He lost to Ward 10-4 in the Dec. 14 dual with the Tar Heels and is 5-2 against the Scuffle field this season. 

“I am anxious to see how Pongo competes in such a tough group,” stated Eslinger.  “He definitely has the talent to place at an event like this.  These next two weeks of preparation will be important for him and this tournament could be a big boost of confidence as we get into the heart of our dual competition.”

Freshman Jacob Murphy will also compete for UTC at 141.  He is 5-6 overall and finished sixth in the Fr/So bracket at the Hokie Open. 

 - Rankings based on Intermat 12/16.
* - Denotes All-American honors. 

149 has the potential for a very exciting matchup between Oklahoma State's NCAA Finalist Josh Kindig and Missouri's defending Scuffle Champion Drake Houdashelt.  Houdashelt defeated Kindig in the Scuffle semis last season with a 5-3 decision.  Kindig is currently No. 2 in the Intermat rankings at 149, while Houdashelt is No. 4. 

“These two guys had a great match in the semis last season,” added Eslinger.  “Houdashelt was the No. 1 seed at the NCAAs and Kindig was in the final match, so this is a great chance for fans to see a possible preview of this year's NCAA championship.”

Those two will have to make their way through a tough draw that includes three other top 10 wrestlers.  Cornell senior Chris Villalonga is No. 6 this week, followed by Virginia's seventh-ranked senior Gus Sako and Appalachian State's ninth-ranked sophomore Dylan Cottrell. 

Villalonga has placed in each of the last three Scuffles, while Sako was fifth in 2014. Penn State sophomore Luke Frey is another returning placer.  He was eighth a year ago and seventh in 2013.

Other ranked competitors include No. 13 Zack Beitz (So. – Penn State), No. 14 Alec Pantaleo (Fr. – Michigan), No. 16 Gabe Moreno (So. – Iowa State), No. 17 Marcus Cain (Sr. – Duke) and No. 19 Michael DePalma (Jr. – Kent State).

Senior Shawn Greevy represents the Mocs at 149.  He is 8-4 on the year, including wins in the dual meets with Purdue and North Carolina in his last two outings.  He finished second in the Navy Classic on Nov. 22.  He pinned DePalma in the third period on his way to a runner-up showing in Annapolis.

“Shawn is on a nice run right now and I hope he can keep it going,” added Eslinger.  “He has only two losses since the Hokie Open and continues to find ways to win.  I think he can go a long way in this tournament.”

  - Rankings based on Intermat 12/16.
* - Denotes All-American honors.

The 2015 Defense Soap and Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle takes place at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Jan. 1-2.  For tickets, local attractions and hotel information, visit TheSouthernScuffle.com.

Flowrestling and Trackwrestling will again provide complete coverage of the event through live video and live scoring.  Links for both are on TheSouthernScuffle.com. 

Once again, the official hashtag of the Southern Scuffle is #LetsScuffle.  Last year, the tournament trended nationally on social media.  Be sure to use the #LetsScuffle hashtag when tweeting about the 2015 tournament.