University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling head coach Heath Eslinger welcomes seven state champions to the roster for the 2016-17 season.  The Mocs are returning nine starters, but any of these newcomers could work their way into the lineup.

"We are definitely excited about this group coming in," stated Eslinger.  "They are joining a veteran team, but they are definitely talented.  Any one of them could work their way into the lineup, but we are more focused on their development across the board; in the classroom, in competition and in the community."

Junior Dylan Florzani (165) is the lone transfer, coming to UTC from Sacramento City College in Salinas, Calif.  He is a 2012 graduate of Salinas (Calif.) High School, but spent the last two seasons in the junior college ranks.  He was SCC's Male Athlete of the Year after winning the state championship at 165 pounds. 

Luke Mullin (125), a four-time state champion from Chattanooga's Notre Dame High School, highlights an impressive list of prep competitors.  Logan Sims (125/133) is a three-time winner from Woodland High School in Cartersville, Ga.  Ben Stacey (197) won two state titles at Father Ryan in Nashville, while Fabian Gutierrez (125) was the Most Outstanding Wrestler and state champ at Adams City High School in Commerce City, Colo. 

Brandon Filosi (141) joins the Mocs from Cambridge High School in Milton, Ga., along with Dylanger Potter (149) from Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.     

Not only are all seven of these individual accomplished on the mat, they are also strong in the classroom.  Each one brings some form of academic honors to UTC.  See below for a full bio on each of the newcomers.

UTC opens the season on Nov. 5 with a home dual against Southeastern in Maclellan Gym.  Season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com.  The first 50 sold receive matside seats to the Virginia dual on Dec. 4.  

Brandon Filosi – 141 – Fr.-HS – Milton, Ga. – Cambridge HS
State champion at Cambridge High School in Milton, Ga. … wrestled for head coach Don St. James … helped the Bears to the traditional state championship as a sophomore when he also won the individual title … injured as a junior, but won the area title and placed third at the state tournament as a senior … Scholar Athlete … PERSONAL … full name is Brandon Vincent Filosi – son of Scott and Culleen Filosi … born Oct. 8, 1997 … has an older brother, Zack, and a younger brother, Tyler … plans to major in marketing.

Dylan Forzani – 165 – Jr.-TR – Salinas, Calif. – Sacramento City College
2012 graduate of Salinas High School … wrestled for head coach Bud Harder … spent two seasons at Sacramento City College, competing for head coach David Pacheco … Sacramento City College Male Athlete of the Year … won the state title at 165 pounds … earned Academic All-American honors … 28-3 record as a sophomore …  PERSONAL … full name is Dylan Musante Forzani … born March 20, 1994 … son of Dean Forzani and Michelle Bishop … has two older sisters, Taylor and Bailey … plans to major in Psychology.

Fabian Gutierrez – 125 – Fr.-HS – Commerce City, Colo. – Adams City HS
State champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler at Adams City High School in Commerce City, Colo … competed for head coach Tom Deaguero … three-time EMAC league champion … 45-3 as a senior … 153-26 career mark … Dean's List student … second team all-conference in football as a senior … also competed in soccer and diving … PERSONAL … full name is Fabian Clairio Anthony Gutierrez … born May 26, 1998 … son of David & Reggie Gutierrez … has a younger brother, Maximus, and a younger sister, Phoebe … plans to major in Exercise Science.

Luke Mullin – 125 – Fr.-HS – Cleveland, Tenn. – Notre Dame HS
Four-time state champion at Notre Dame … wrestled for head coach Rocco Mansueto … 83-2 last two years … 161-12 career mark … Honor Roll student … PERSONAL … full name is Lucas Vincent-Francis Mullin … born June 5, 1998 … son of Chris and Axa Mullin … has two older sisters, Sophie and Gaby, and an older brother, Patrick … father wrestled at Tennessee ('86) and UTC ('87-'88) … plans to major in Creative Writing … plays the drums, bass and guitar and participates in theatre.

Dylanger Potter – 149 – Fr.-HS – Arlington, Texas – Martin HS
State champion at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas … competed for head coach Patrick Dunn … placed fifth at the PowerAde Nationals and first in the Mid-America Nationals as a senior … won the Texas 6A title at 145 pounds in overtime as a senior … 45-3 in his final season … 146-19 in his career … member of the National Honor Society … PERSONAL … full name is Dylanger Cutter Potter … born March 14, 1998 … son of DK and Patta Potter … had two younger brothers, Dalton and Harley … plans to major in Business. 

Logan Sims – 125/133 – Fr.-HS – Cartersville, Ga. – Woodland HS
Three time state champion at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Ga. … coached by Adrian Tramutola … won the state titles as a freshman, sophomore and senior … third place as a junior … NHSCA All-American as a senior when he placed third … 156-6 career prep record … member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and National Spanish Honors Society … PERSONAL … full name is Logan Andrew Sims … born Jan. 29, 1998 … son of Chris & Heidi Sims … has an older brother, Nick … plans to major in Business.

Ben Stacey – 197 – Fr.-HS – Fairview, Tenn. – Father Ryan HS
Two-time state champion at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tenn. … wrestled for head coach pat Simpson … led the Irish to three traditional state titles and the dual championship as a senior … 125-44 career prep record … placed three times at the NHSCA tournament … Also lettered in football and rugby … team captain in football … honor roll student … PERSONAL … full name is Benjamin Ryan Stacey … son of Paul and Gina Stacey … has three younger sisters, Kara, Maya and Nora, and a younger brother, Ethan … father played Rugby at MTSU … plans to major in Business.