The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team took first place in the Bronze bracket of the Virginia Duals with today's 27-9 win over Kent State in Hampton, Va. The Mocs won seven individual bouts to even their season record at 5-5 while the Flashes drop to 6-10 overall.
These two teams met once before this season. Chattanooga scored a 23-15 win over then-No. 25 KSU at the Eastern Michigan Duals on Nov. 15. Kent State came into the weekend No. 20 in the Intermat tournament rankings, but unlisted in the dual top 25.
The three Seans dominated the morning for the Mocs. Sophomore Sean Mappes led the way with a pin at 174. It was his team-leading fourth fall of the season. Senior Shawn Greevy scored a technical fall at 149 while senior Sean Boyle had a major decision at 125.
Junior Austin Sams and sophomore Jared Johnson capped off a solid individual weekend with their fourth win each in the tournament. Sams posted an 8-6 decision over Andy Candiello at 157. Johnson had a 3-2 win against Mimmo Lytle at 285. Both avenged losses to these same opponents in the dual earlier in the season.
Chattanooga is back in action on Friday, Jan. 16, when it opens Southern Conference action at Gardner-Webb. Match time is set for 6:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) in Boiling Springs, N.C. The next home dual is Sunday, Jan. 18, against Campbell at 2:00 p.m. in Maclellan Gym.
Chattanooga 27 – Kent State 9
125: No. 10 Sean Boyle (UTC) – MD 12-4 - Edilberto Vinas (KSU) – UTC 4-0
133: No. 16 Nick Soto (UTC) – Dec. 7-3 - Kyle Lukowich (KSU) – UTC 7-0
141: Tyler Small (KSU) – SV-1 5-3 - Michael Pongracz (UTC) – UTC 7-3
149: Shawn Greevy (UTC) – TF 17-2 - Michael Depalma (KSU) – UTC 12-3
157: Austin Sams (UTC) – Dec. 8-6 - Andy Candiello (KSU) – UTC 15-3
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) – Dec. 4-2 - Justin Lampe (UTC) – UTC 15-6
174: Sean Mappes (UTC) – Fall 1:27 - Jerald Spohn (KSU) – UTC 21-6
184: John Shrader (UTC) – Dec. 7-4 - Michael Vollant (KSU) – UTC 24-6
197: Cole Baxter (KSU) – Dec. 5-2 - Scottie Boykin (UTC) – UTC 24-9
285: Jared Johnson (UTC) – Dec. 3-2 - Mimmo Lytle (KSU) – UTC 27-9
