Chattanooga Mocs wrestler Fabian Gutierrez is determined to see progress with the team in the 2019-20 season. He got it started off in strong fashion with a second-place finish at the Southeast Open in Roanoke, Va. last Sunday.
 
There is a solid foundation on the mat for the redshirt junior from Commerce City, Colo. Gutierrez developed his love and talent for wrestling through his family.
           
"They got me into this sport when I was four years old," says Gutierrez. "My father David was a high school state champion with Adams City in 2000, and it inspired me to be like him and become a wrestler. Not only did my father wrestle, but so did everybody in my family including all of my cousins. We loved playing this sport so much.
 
"It is like wrestling is in our blood."
 
Gutierrez continued to enjoy his passion for wrestling joining the wrestling team at Adams City. He followed in his father's footsteps there winning three consecutive EMAC league championships (2014-16) and the 2016 CHSAAA State Championship.
           
"Winning the state championship in my senior year was a special moment for me because it felt like everything I worked hard for just finally came true," he adds. "It was so unreal. I just wanted to continue this momentum into college."
 
That meant the journey east to the Scenic City.
 
"I wanted to wrestle at UTC because I had family members who lived in Murfreesboro, which was an hour-and-a-half away from campus, and I just loved the city of Chattanooga so much I wanted to be able to represent this city in every way I can on the mat," says Gutierrez.
 
However, Gutierrez did not get that opportunity right away. He redshirted that first season because he did not fit the weight requirements at 125 pounds.
 
"I was not big enough to wrestle, so I just spent most of my freshman year lifting weights and doing everything to make my body bigger and stronger," Gutierrez continues. "I knew I also had to eat more because wrestling underweight in college can be difficult."
 
By the 2017-18 season, Gutierrez successfully increased his weight to 125 pounds. His best result was fourth-place at the Hokie Open. When he finally got back on the mat, Gutierrez enjoyed the atmosphere as well as the team's chemistry.
 
"Wrestling with the Mocs feels like being in a family," says Gutierrez. "There are not many different cliques on this team, and we all seem to bond together as a team every match and every practice."
 
Gutierrez improved to 17-4 last year. That included a 4-0 mark in dual matches and becoming the SoCon Wrestler of the Month for December with a 3-1 record and two pins. He also won his weight class at the Hokie Open.
 
"Gutierrez made his opportunities count last year and saw a move into the rankings," says Coach Kyle Ruschell. "This only happens because of the way he works and what he does every day to get better."
 
His moves tend to be unusual for a college wrestler. He likes to hit a high crotch to his opponent's right leg. Gutierrez also likes to throw his opponent in the legs and be able to control his hip on the mat and turn him.
He displays an outgoing, yet competitive personality towards his coaches and teammates as well as a strong work ethic in practice every day.
 
"He is so competitive," says teammate Tyler Shilson. "He's willing to wrestle with anyone in the practice room regardless of weight class because he's the only wrestler who weighs 125 pounds in our team. He tends to wrestle anyone during practice. It's not uncommon for him to practice with someone who is two weight classes above him."
 
Ruschell adds, "Gutierrez is a fun guy who everybody likes to be around. He brings excitement and joy into our team and the wrestling room.
 
"On the mat, Fabian wants to dominate his opponent. That always shows in the room."
 
Gutierrez has a 2-1 record so far this season. He's looking to be one of the best wrestlers in SoCon with the goal of earning an All-American nod. His determination to achieve his goals is evident.
 
"It is up to Gutierrez to see how far he wants to go this season," says Ruschell. "We as a staff believe in him and his goals, and we also believe he can keep getting better and better on-and-off the mat for our team."
           
He's gained more credibility and maturity as a wrestler through his family, along with his work in the Chattanooga wrestling room. He overcame early adversity in college through the support of his teammates and coaches. Gutierrez hopes he can take his competitive edge to carry him through the SoCon slate and into the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.