The 23^rd-ranked University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team posted a 40-12 win over a much-improved Southeastern University squad in the season opener for both teams today.  The Mocs and Fire took to the mat on historic Chamberlain Field in the middle of campus on a gorgeous day in the Scenic City. 

SEU is in its second year of NAIA competition and headed by former Moc Javier Maldonado.  UTC beat the Fire 50-0 last season, but Maldonado's squad started today's action looking much tougher. 

SEU took a 3-0 lead when Olson Delicsa defeated sophomore Alonzo Allen at 125.  The Mocs came right back with a pin at 133 by freshman Chris Debien and followed that with a tech fall from sophomore Roman Boylen. 

Chattanooga was cruising to another big victory, but SEU put up back-to-back wins to keep it close.  Adrian Hughes pinned senior Austin Gould at 149 and Giovanny Bonilla held off sophomore Trey Watson for an 18-11 decision at 157.  

With the Fire leading 12-11 halfway through, the Mocs put the hammer down in the last five matches.  None went the distance with four pins and a tech fall. 

Three of the pins were in the first period by seniors Sean Mappes (174) and Jared Johnson (285) and junior Bryce Carr (184).  Junior Justin Lampe also scored a pin at 165 and senior Clay Dent had a tech fall at 197.

"This was a good chance for us to see where we are and where we are going," stated head coach Heath Eslinger.  "We were good where we thought we would be, and we also got to see where we need to improve."    

The Mocs are sending a small contingent to compete individually at tomorrow's Hokie Open in Blacksburg, Va., and next host VMI on Thursday for the Candlelight Dinner Match.  Tables for the event are still available and you can contact the UTC Ticket Office for more information at (423) 266-MOCS (6627). 

No. 23 Chattanooga 40 – Southeastern 12
125: Olson Delisca (SEU) – Dec. 9-8 - Alonzo Allen (UTC) – SEU 3-0
133: Chris Debien (UTC) – Fall 3:25 - Jaaziel Santana (SEU) – UTC 6-3
141: Roman Boylen (UTC) – Tech. Fall [15-0 (4:13)] - Caleb Rudisill (SEU) – UTC 11-3
149: Adrian Hughes (SEU) – Fall 5:28 - Austin Gould (UTC) – UTC 11-9
157: Giovanny Bonilla (SEU) – Dec. 18-11 - Trey Watson (UTC) – SEU 12-11
165: Justin Lampe (UTC) – Fall 5:31 - Tim Dinsdale (SEU) – UTC 17-12
174: Sean Mappes (UTC) – Fall 0:32 - Braxxtin Todd (SEU) – UTC 23-12
184: Bryce Carr (UTC) – Fall 0:41 - Zechariah Rives (SEU) – UTC 29-12
197: Clay Dent (UTC) – Tech. Fall [18-2 (4:07)] - Branden Noriega (SEU) – UTC 34-12
285: No. 12 Jared Johnson (UTC) – Fall 0:57 - Silas Root (SEU) – UTC 40-12