Quick Recap
Two Chattanooga Mocs advanced to the second day of the NCAA Championships Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. All three grapplers – Blake Boarman (133), Noah Castillo (157) & Sergio Desiante (174) – failed to advance from round one, but Castillo and Desiante found their stride in the wrestlebacks.
 
It was a tough luck day for Boarman. He lost in overtime of his first match with No. 13 Tyler Knox from Samford giving up a takedown for the 6-3 decision. He came back in the evening session and couldn't find a late score in a battle with Cornell's Tyler Ferrera.
 
Castillo and Desiante were on the opposite end of that scale. They struggled in the opening matches with a tech fall and major decision loss, respectively. However, both came back strong in the consos.
 
Castillo, a senior making his first NCAA appearance, was dominant over the first five minutes before holding on for the 8-5 decision over Iowa's Jacob Teemer, the 18 seed. Desiante shortly followed with an early night closing out a tech fall with a 17-2 victory over Michael Wilson from Rider with 38 seconds remaining in the second period.
 
First Take
"Every round of the national tournament is tough. We showed some toughness on the back side. We need to keep the ball rolling." – Coach Kyle Ruschell on day one in Philadelphia
 
Team Score
T50th of 65: 2.5
 
Lineup with Results (Seed in parenthesis)
133: (20) Blake Boarman
1st: (13) Tyler Knox, Stanford, L, Dec. (SV-1), 3-6
Conso 1: (29) Tyler Ferrara, Cornell, L, Dec., 3-5
 
157: (31) Noah Castillo
1st: (2) Meyer Shapiro, Cornell, L, TF (4:30), 2-20
Conso 1: (18) Jacori Teemer, Iowa, W, Dec., 8-5
Conso 2: (16) Cody Chittum, Iowa State
 
174: (17) Sergio Desiante
1st: (16) Lorenzo Norman, Stanford, L, MD, 3-14
Conso 1: (33) Michael Wilson, Rider, W, TF (4:22), 17-2
Conso 2: (18) Gaven Sax, Oklahoma
 
Rundown

• All three Mocs were making their first appearances at the NCAA Championships. It was in the fourth attempt for Castillo and second for Boarman and Desiante.
• Castillo's first round loss snapped a 12-match win streak.
• Desiante's first round loss was his first tournament loss in 2024-25.
• Three (or more) qualifiers for the 14th time in last 15 years and 40th in 48 appearances in the DI Championships.
• Castillo was dominant in his opening consolation bout leading 7-1 through two over Teemer, the 2024 runner-up. Gave up an escape and takedown to narrow the score to 7-5 in the third before closing out the 8-5 triumph.
• Desiante scored early and often in his win in consos round one. His takedown right to the back of Wilson was a 7-point move doubling his lead from 7-1 to 14-1. He immediately cut his opponent then secured his fourth takedown to secure the second period tech fall.
• Multiple moving on to day two for the third straight year.
• Desiante's next matchup with Oklahoma's Gaven Sax is a rematch from his Southern Scuffle Championship triumph.

 
Final Thoughts
"It's do or die. We need to come out and look to find our offense. Finding ways to win is a skill, and we need to execute." – Coach Ruschell on moving forward to Friday
 
Appearances: 48 | Last: 2024 | Qualifiers: 207
1st DI Season: 1978
Best Team Finish: 1983, T14 (20.25)
Most Team Points: 2007, 29.5 (21st)
Best Finish: 2nd, Charlie Heard, 118, 1983
All-Americans: 12 (Last: Cody Cleveland, 141, 2008)
Multiple All-Americans: 1992, 2005
DII Champions: 6 | All-Americans: 12 | MOW: 1
 
DI All-Americans: 12
1980: 126 - Byron McGlathery, 5th
1982: 118 - Charlie Heard, 8th
1983: 118 - Charlie Heard, 2nd
1984: 118 - Charlie Heard, 7th
1991: 177 - Bret Gustafson, 5th
1992: 142 - Guy Harris, 8th
1992: 158 - Howard Langford, 8th
2005: 141 - Michael Keefe, 5th
2005: 165 - Jon Sioredas, 5th
2006: 133 - Matt Keller, 8th
2007: 133 - Matt Keller, 4th
2008: 141 - Cody Cleveland, 8th
 
Resources: Notes | Stats | Bracket
 
How to Follow
Video: ESPN Networks
 
Scoring: Track
 
Links to Stream & Scoring are also Found Here
 
Socials: Twitter/X: @utcwrestling | Instagram: @utcwrestling
 
Schedule
Friday, March 21
Session III: Noon: Video Links by Mat | Broadcast TV: ESPNU
Session IV: 8 p.m.: Video Links by Mat | Broadcast TV: ESPN2
 
Saturday, March 22
Session V: 11 am: Video Links by Mat | Broadcast TV: ESPNU
Session VI: 7 p.m. Video Links by Mat | Broadcast TV: ESPN
 
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