CHAMPAIGN---The Chattanooga Mocs lost 32-9 against Illinois in a dual matchup in the State Farm Center Saturday afternoon. The Mocs are now 2-5, while the Fighting Illini improve to 2-1.
 
Illinois took the first four and the last four matches of the day. Falls at 125 and 141 dug an early hole that the Mocs could not get out of despite the battle to get there. The two falls and a tech fall were too much to overcome.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Maximo Renteria set the tone for Illinois with a pin of Logan Ashton at 125 with 1:20 to go in the third period. It was a hotly-contested bout. Renteria countered an Ashton action catching him off balance to get the fall.
 
A ranked matchup at 133 went No. 6 Lucas Byrd's way in a 5-0 decision over No. 27 Brayden Palmer. Danny Pucino followed with a second period fall over Dayne Dalrymple to put the Mocs in a 15-0 deficit.
 
It looked bleak before Noah Castillo's debut dominance. He started the second on top of Kevon Davenport and worked the Illini 149 onto his back for the pin and a ray of light. Lincoln Heck was next at 157 earning a 3-2 triumph over Anthony Federico to close it to 15-9.
 
Illinois took advantage at 165. No. 19 Danny Braunagel tech fell Jackson Hurst who is wrestling up from 157 due to injuries at the position for the Mocs. The Boilermaker heroics from 174 to 197 could not be recaptured. Illinois decisioned their way to the 32-9 win.
 
(RV) Illinois 32, Chattanooga 9
125: Maximo Renteria (Ill.) fall (5:40) over Logan Ashton (UTC) – 0-6
133: #6 Lucas Byrd (Ill.) 5-0 dec over #27 Brayden Palmer (UTC) – 0-9
141: Danny Pucino (Ill.) fall (4:00) over Dayne Dalrymple (UTC) – 0-15
149: #27 Noah Castillo fall (3:28) over Kevon Davenport (Ill.) – 6-15
157: Lincoln Heck (UTC) 3-2 decision over Anthony Federico (Ill.) – 9-15
165: #19 Danny Braunagel (Ill.) 23-7 tech fall (6:04) over Jackson Hurst (UTC) – 9-20
174: #10 Edmond Ruth (Ill.) 5-2 dec over #16 Rocky Jordan (UTC) – 9-23
184: Dylan Connell (Ill.) 3-1 dec over #20 Matthew Waddell (UTC) – 9-26
197: #15 Zac Braunagel (Ill.) 11-5 dec over Jake Boyd (UTC) – 9-29
285: Matt Wroblewski (Ill.) 2-1 dec over Logan Andrew (UTC) – 9-32
 
SERIES
0-13 vs. Illinois | 0-3 In just third match against the Illini in Champaign.
 
QUOTABLE
"It felt good to be back on the mat. My favorite feeling is wearing that C on my chest. I wanted a team win, but there's more of this to come." – Noah Castillo on his first action of 2022-23
 
NEXT 3 MATCHES
Dec. 10: Iowa, 7 p.m. (McKenzie Arena)
Dec. 16: SIUE, 11 a.m. (at Gardner-Webb)
Dec. 16: Clarion, 1 p.m. (at Gardner-Webb)
 
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Wrestling season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com. Click the link above or call (423) 266-MOCS (6627). Prices start at just $75 for one of the best home slates in years. There are three levels available with mat-side seats already sold out.

• Padded Reserved (Iowa/Southern Scuffle)/Maclellan Gym GA: $110
• 100 Level Reserved (Iowa/Southern Scuffle)/Maclellan Gym GA: $95
• 200 Level Reserved (Iowa/Southern Scuffle)/Maclellan Gym GA: $75

 
IOWA/SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PARKING
Parking is charged for events at McKenzie Arena. There is a $15 fee for the lots around the Roundhouse for the Iowa match and a special 2-day parking pass at $20 for the Southern Scuffle. That will allow patrons to enter and depart at their leisure without being recharged for the 2-day event on Jan. 1-2.
 
Parking for both events can be purchased online now at GoMocs.com: Click here for the Iowa match and here for the Scuffle.
 
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