The NCAA released the first of four coaches' panel rankings for the 2015-16 wrestling season this week.  As usual, the Chattanooga Mocs were well represented.  The final rankings will be one of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

UTC put six in the rankings, led led by junior Jared Johnson.  He is 18-3 overall and No. 13 at heavyweight.  His only losses are to wrestlers currently in the top 10.

Junior Michael Pongracz is next at No. 22 at 141.  He is 17-2 and on a five-match winning streak. Senior John Lampe is No. 23 at 184 with his 9-1 mark.  Junior Scottie Boykin is also No. 23 at 197 with a 14-6 record.

Freshman Kamaal Shakur checks in at No. 24 at 157.  He is 19-5 in his first season of competition and leads the team in overall wins.  Junior Sean Mappes, last year's SoCon Champ at 174, is No. 33 with a 13-7 record. 

Wrestlers in each weight class are measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches' rankings to earn spots in the qualifying tournaments for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each qualifying tournament. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. In order to be eligible for the rankings, wrestlers must have participated in at least five matches against Division I opponents in the weight class and have wrestled within the last 30 days.

UTC's six in the rankings lead the Socon, and Appalachian State follows with four.  The Mountaineers are also No. 25 in this week's NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll.  Campbell and The Citadel are next with three each, while Gardner-Webb has one. 

The Mocs are back in action on Jan. 31 when they travel to Davidson.  The final home match of the year is a big one against the Mountaineers on Friday, Feb. 5, in Maclellan Gym.  Tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).