The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team dropped three tough matches at the Virginia Duals today.  The Mocs (3-6) opened with a 21-10 loss to Old Dominion (3-6), followed by a 34-6 defeat against No. 15 Oklahoma (4-3) in the James River Pool.  UTC ended with a narrow 19-18 loss to Lock Haven in the Silver Round. 

Senior Jared Johnson led the way with wins in all three duals.  Ranked No. 11 at heavyweight this week, he pushed his record to 18-5 and defeated two ranked opponents.  Johnson started with a 9-1 major over ODU's Will Hilliard.  He then scored a 4-1 decision against Oklahoma's No. 19 Ross Larson.

In the final match against Lock Haven, the Mocs were down 19-15 in the team score.  Johnson needed to score bonus points against No. 16 Thomas Haines to give UTC a chance.  After a scoreless first period, Johnson rode him out in the second.  A reversal in the third gave Johnson the win, but the Mocs fell 19-18.

"Jared is just a picture of consistency," stated UTC head coach Heath Eslinger.  "He beat two in the top-20 today and it would not have surprised me if he had pinned the guy in the last one to win the dual.  You can never count him out."

Sophomores Alonzo Allen (125) and Chase Zemenak (141) and junior Bryce Carr (184) all went 2-1.  Carr's only loss was an overtime defeat to Old Dominion's No. 9 Jack Dechow.  He ups his overall record to 16-3 on the year.

"Bryce had a tough loss against a returning All-American, but came right back with two big wins," added Eslinger.  "It was also a big day for Chase.  I am super-proud of the way he competed in his first action of the year."

Allen also continues to improve, with wins in six of his last nine matches.  His only loss was a 4-3 decision against Oklahoma's Christian Moody.   

"Alonzo looked great," continued Eslinger. "He is on an upward trajectory right now.  Every Division I athlete has that breakthrough experience and he is going through that."

The Mocs were without senior Sean Mappes, who didn't make the trip due to an injury.  The two-time NCAA qualifier is 10-7 as the starter at 174 pounds. 

 "No one wants to lose, but I think we learned some things today," said Eslinger.  "It is tough to win duals without a guy like Mappes, but we have a chance to bounce back tomorrow"

Chattanooga closes out the Virginia Duals tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. (E.S.T.) against Bucknell (2-4).  Links for live video and live scoring are available on the wrestling schedule page on GoMocs.com. 

The next home date for the Mocs is a doubleheader with Campbell and Davidson on Saturday, Jan. 28.  The Mocs face the Camels at Noon and the Wildcats at 2:00 p.m. in Maclellan Gym. 

Old Dominion 21 – Chattanooga 10
James River Pool – Virginia Duals – Hampton, Va.
125: Alonzo Allen (UTC) – Dec. 9-3 - Steven Simpson (ODU) – UTC 3-0
133: Emilio Saavedra (ODU) – Dec. 5-1 - Chris Debien (UTC) – Tied 3-3
141: Chase Zemenck (Chattanooga) – Dec. 8-2 - Kevin Budock (ODU) – UTC 6-3
149: Michael Hayes (ODU) - Dec. 3-0 - Dylanger Potter (UTC) – Tied 6-6
157: Austin Eads (ODU) – Dec. 6-4 - Dalton Clark (UTC) – ODU 9-6
165: No. 16 Seldon Wright (ODU) – Dec. 5-2 - Justin Lampe (UTC) – ODU 12-6
174: Antonio Agee (ODU) – Dec. 4-0 - Chad Solomon (UTC) – ODU 15-6
184: No. 9 Jack Dechow (ODU) – Dec. 5-2 (SV1) – No. 17 Bryce Carr (UTC) – ODU 18-6
197: No. 9 Kevin Beazley (ODU) – Dec. 7-0 - Clay Dent (UTC) – ODU 21-6
285: No. 11 Jared Johnson (UTC) – MD 9-1 - Will Hilliard (ODU) – ODU 21-10

No. 15 Oklahoma 34 – Chattanooga 6
James River Pool – Virginia Duals – Hampton, Va.
125: Christian Moody (Oklahoma) – Dec. 4-3 - Alonzo Allen (UTC) – Oklahoma 3-0
133: Jacob Rubio (Oklahoma) – Dec. 7-5 - Chris Debien (UTC) – Oklahoma 6-0
141: Mike Longo (Oklahoma) – MD 9-1 - Chase Zemenck (UTC) – Oklahoma 10-0
149: No. 11 Davion Jeffries (Oklahoma) – MD 10-0 - Dylanger Potter (UTC) – Oklahoma 14-0
157: No. 12 Clark Glass (Oklahoma) – Tech. Fall 19-0 - Dalton Clark (UTC) – Oklahoma 19-0
165: Yoanse Mejias (Oklahoma) – Dec. 5-3 - Justin Lampe (UTC) – Oklahoma 22-0
174: Matt Reed (Oklahoma) – Fall 1:25 - Chad Solomon (UTC) – Oklahoma 28-0
184: No. 17 Bryce Carr (UTC) – Dec. 3-1 - Andrew Dixon (Oklahoma) – Oklahoma 28-3
197: Brad Johnson (Oklahoma) – Fall 5:51 - Clay Dent (UTC) – Oklahoma 34-3
285: No. 11 Jared Johnson (UTC) – Dec. 4-1 – No. 19 Ross Larson (Oklahoma) – Oklahoma 34-6

Chattanooga 6 – Lock Haven
Silver Round – Virginia Duals – Hampton, Va.
125: Alonzo Allen (UTC) – Dec. 9-3 - Jake Field (Lock Haven) – UTC 3-0
133: Chris Debien (UTC) – Dec. 4-3 – D.J. Fehlman (Lock Haven) – UTC 6-0
141: Chase Zemenck (UTC) – Tech. Fall 17-0 - Lewis Williams (Lock Haven) – UTC 11-0
149: Kyle Shoop (Lock Haven) – MD 10-2 - Dylanger Potter (UTC) – UTC 11-4
157: Jon Ross (Lock Haven) – Dec. 9-6 - Dalton Clark (UTC) – UTC 11-7
165: Jared Siegrist (Lock Haven) – Dec. 6-4 - Justin Lampe (UTC) – UTC 11-10
174: Adam Mackie (Lock Haven) – Fall 0:55 - Chad Solomon (UTC) – Lock Haven 16-11
184: No. 17 Bryce Carr (UTC) – MD 12-3 - Corey Hazel (Lock Haven) – Lock Haven 16-15
197: Tristan Sponseller (Lock Haven) – Dec. 3-1 - D.J. Franklin-Smith (UTC) – Lock Haven 19-15
285: No. 11 Jared Johnson (UTC) – Dec. 3-0 - No. 16 Thomas Haines (Lock Haven) – Lock Haven 19-18