CHATTANOOGA – As the Chattanooga Mocs' wrestling team continues preparation for its season opener in 11 days, GoMocs.com continues its season preview introducing the wrestling program by class. This edition will feature the 157 and 165 weight classes.
157
Jackson Hurst – Fr., Kingsport, Tenn.
He went 160-20 in four years as an individual at Dobyns Bennett High School in Kingsport. He was a four-time state qualifier and was the team captain all four years. Hurst is a two-time TSSAA AAA State Champion (145 and 152 pounds) and the 2020 Region 1 Champion. Hurst concluded his high school campaign as the 2021 Region 1 Wrestler of the Year.
Head Coach Kyle Ruschell on Hurst: "He's a Tennessee kid and Jackson has worked his butt off. He is great to have in the room and does a lot of things right. I'm excited for him to continue to push and learn the minor details that make guys great because he could be a big surprise for us down the road."
Weston Wichman – Fr., Johnson Creek, Wisc.
Wichman returns for his third season at UTC and is the reigning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year. Last season he went 11-5 at 157 pounds, including a 6-2 mark in league action. He was named to the academic All-NWCA and Academic All-SoCon team. Wichman redshirted his first season.
Ruschell on Wichman: "We call him the mullet. He wrestles a way that is hard for guys to hang with him. If he's feeling really good, who knows what can happen… he's the returning [SoCon] Freshman of the Year. He trains hard and wants to see himself at the top of the podium by the end of his career."
165
Drew Nicholson – Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
Nicholson is the returning SoCon Champion at 165 pounds and was named the SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning as the third seed. Additionally, he was named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team prior to the 2021-22 season. Last year, Nicholson went 13-5 overall and 9-3 in dual action with a 6-2 mark in SoCon competition. At the NCAA Tournament, he was the No. 26 seed and defeated Penn State's No. 23 Joe Lee (10-4). This is his fifth season at UTC and he holds a 22-17 career dual record and a 39-33 overall record after a 16-16 mark two years ago and a 10-12 record in his first season of competition.
Ruschell on Nicholson: "He is a solid workhorse for us. His work ethic has led to where he is now. Drew is one of the great leaders on our team and does a lot of things right."
Carial Tarter – So., Kimberly, Ala.
Tarter begins his fourth year at Chattanooga and it will be his second year of competition. Last season, he went 7-7 overall, including a 3-5 mark in SoCon matches at 174 pounds. He was 2-0 at 165 moving up to 174.
Ruschell on Tarter: "Carial filled a big role for us last season. He's moving back down to 165 and is a great team player. He's healthy this year and we're excited to see what he can put together late in the season."
Caleb Waddell – Fr., Ellijay, Ga.
Waddell was a two-time state champion at Gilmer High School prior to coming to UTC; he sat out last season as a redshirt. In high school, he went 190-18 as a four-time state qualifier and three-time finalist. He held a 63-3 record as a senior and repeated as the state champion at 170 pounds.
Ruschell on Waddell: "He had a little bit of an injury last year so didn't get much time on the mat. We know what he's capable of in the wrestling room, but now we need to see it against other opponents. He's athletic and he's talented but we need to put him into the fire and see where he's at right now."
The 2021-22 Chattanooga Wrestling season gets underway with the Blue and Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 30 prior to the homecoming football game vs. Furman. The scrimmage is slated to begin at 10 a.m. in the First Horizon Pavilion.
The squad will kick off the regular season with a dual at home on Nov. 6 vs. Cumberland. To purchase season tickets, click here.
