The 23^rd-ranked University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team opens the 2016-17 regular season this weekend.  The Mocs host Southeastern University on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11:00 a.m. (E.D.T).

The match was originally scheduled for Maclellan Gym, but after the success and popularity of the outdoor Blue & Gold Match, this event has also been moved to Chamberlain Field.  Concessions will be open and the UTC Bookstore will be on hand selling Mocs wrestling attire. 

Mat side seating is available for individuals who purchased season tickets prior to Monday, Oct. 31.  Season ticket holders should look for their names on the chairs around the mat.  Everyone else is encouraged to bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the near-perfect weather forecast. 

The Mocs are coming off a 12-4 season that included a share of the Southern Conference Championship with a 6-1 league record.  UTC returns seven starters and 20 letter winners, including four who advanced to the NCAA Championships.

Head coach Heath Eslinger is entering his eighth season with the Mocs.  He has an 86-45 record with a 41-2 mark in SoCon action. 

UTC Probable Lineup
125:  Alonzo Allen (So.)
133:  Chris Debien (Fr.)
141:  Roman Boylen (So.)
149:  Dylanger Potter (Fr.)
157:  Trey Watson (So.)/Dylan Forzani (Jr.)
165:  Justin Lampe (Jr.)
174:  Sean Mappes (Sr.)
184:  Bryce Carr (Jr.)
197:  Clay Dent (Sr.)
285:  No. 12 Jared Johnson (Sr.)

The Mocs have three seniors in their probable lineup this week.  Sean Mappes (174) and Jared Johnson (285) are both coming off NCAA appearances.  Johnson is currently No. 12 in the Intermat preseason top 20 at heavyweight, following a 23-7 record last season. 

Clay Dent pulled off an upset over junior teammate Scottie Boykin at last week's Blue-Gold.  As a result, Dent gets the nod on Saturday over the 10^th-ranked Boykin. 

Junior Bryce Carr is making his official UTC debut at 184 pounds.  The former junior college national champion redshirted last season.  Fellow junior Justin Lampe (165), sophomores Alonzo Allen (125), Roman Boylen (141) and Trey Watson (157) are all returning letter winners in the lineup. 

Freshman Chris Debien is back at 133 pounds.  His true-freshman season was cut short due to an injury, but he is recovered and ready to go.  Junior college transfer Dylan Forzani (157) and true freshman Dylanger Potter (149) are the other new faces in the lineup. 

Forzani won a California state JUCO title at Sacramento City College in 2016.  Potter earned his way into the lineup after beating senior Michael Pongracz in overtime at the Blue-Gold Match.  

SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN
The Mocs host the Fire, located in Lakeland, Fla, for the second year in a row.  UTC scored a 50-0 win in the previous meeting on Nov. 14 in Maclellan Gym.  Former UTC wrestler Javier Maldonado started the program in 2015-16 and went 12-8 in his first season as head coach.  SEU is picked sixth in the NAIN Mid-South Conference and returns nine of 10 starters to the lineup.