No. 19 Missouri Edges UTC

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Moments after losing a tough 24-14 home match to No. 19 Missouri, coach Heath Eslinger was hoping his wrestlers would run tonight and maybe more.

 

“I am fired up after this match and who knows we might even have a late night practice,’’ said an enthused Eslinger standing in Maclellan Gym where he had won titles in high school (Bradley Central) and college (UTC).

 

“We are right at the line of being among the best and need to find a way to cross that line and not just compete with, but beat top 20 teams,’’ Eslinger stated.,

 

The first year Mocs coach noted that his 10 starters gave a good effort.

 

“Our guys (starters and reserves) are doing what we want them to do on a daily basis,’’ he stated.

 

‘’And once they do the rights things in the practice room, with their weight, in the classroom and in all areas of their lives on a daily basis that will turn into doing the right things on a weekly, monthly and career basis.

 

“Then you beat the top 20 teams and produce national champions.’’

 

The Mizzou Tigers had their hands full, especially with a quartet of Moc winners in Bucky Johnson (125), Dean Pavlou (149), Josh Condon (157)and Jason McCroskey (184) in the 10-bout match before an enthusiastic crowd of n early 800.

 

Though he lost in the final match of the evening, true freshman Jake Young (174) stood toe- to-toe with No. 20 and cat-quick Dorian Henderson, falling 6-4.

 

On three occasions, Young (ranked No. 20) had Henderson in trouble on the edge of the mat, including Young’s final effort for a match-tying takedown in the closing seconds, but the sophomore Tiger was able to fend off the tying points.

 

“I would rather have won, but I think I did my best out their tonight against a nationally-ranked opponent,’’ said Young (16-5), a two-time state champ from Ooltewah.

 

“Everyone fought hard and none of us held anything back.’’

 

Missouri improves to 3-4, while the Mocs are 7-6.

 

The Mocs jumped to a 4-0 lead as McCroskey (11-8) posted a major decision (12-1) against Todd Porter in the opening match, but the Gold and Black took the lead for good with a major at 197 and a fall at 285 for a 9-4 lead.

 

Missouri had one team point deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct by No. 7 Mark Ellis at the conclusion of his win against Matt Lettner at 285.

 

The Mocs pulled within two at 9-7 as Bucky Johnson (125) defeated Eric Wilson, 5-1, but Mizzou continued the trade of 2-for- 1 by taking major (133) and regular (141) decisions for a 16-7 lead with four matches remaining.

 

Then it was the Blue and Gold’s turn to take two as Pavou registered a major decision against Brandon West (10-2) and Josh Condon stopped No. 16 Patrick Wright (2-1) in overtime to trail the visitors, 16-14.

Pavou picked up his team-leading 17th win on the season.

 

Two-time All-American Nick Marable (two-time state champ from Christian Brothers) sealed the win with a 22-7 technical fall against Bond Davis and a 21-14 lead.

 

Henderson edged Young at 174 in the final bout of the evening.

 

“I was impressed with Chattanooga’s effort tonight and they wrestled really hard,’’ said Mizzou coach Brian Smith.

 

“Heath (Eslinger) is doing a good job and his guys are getting after it.’’

 

Smith said he would like to continue wrestling the Mocs on a home-and-home basis.

 

Dress For Success: UTC coaches were matside in suits and ties and could easily have driven to Neiman Marcus or Brooks Brothers after the match for a photo shoot.

 

Rehab in Six Months: UTC signee Trey Stavrum (Baylor) has eight pins and a plate in his left ankle after recent surgery due to a broken ankle at the McCallie Invitational in December.

Stavrum plans to start upper body work in a week or so and should be able to start rehab on the ankle by early summer.

 

Next Match: Mocs host Southern Conference foe UNC-Greensboro on Sun. Jan 24 at Maclellan Gym at 2 p.m.

 

Missouri 24, Chattanooga 14

184 – Jason McCroskey (UTC) major dec. Todd Porter, 12-1

197 – No. 18 Brent Haynes (M) major dec. Niko Brown, 15-4

285 – No. 7 Mark Ellis (M) pinned Matt Lettner, 1:41

125 – Bucky Johnson (UTC) dec. Eric Wilson, 5-1

133 –Nate McCormick (M) major dec. Josh Statum, 18-5

141 – Nick Hucke (M) dec. Ben Johnson, 6-3

149 – Dean Pavlou (UTC) major dec. Brandon West, 10-2

157 – Josh Condon (UTC) dec. No. 16 Patrick Wright, 2-1 3 OT

165 - No. 6 Nick Marable (M) technical fall Bond Davis, 22-7 (7:00)

174 – No. 10 Dorian Henderson (M) dec. No. 20 Jake Young, 6-4

 

Match Stats:

Takedowns: Missouri: 20-11

First Takedowns: Missouri, 5-4

Most Takedowns: Nick Marable (M), 8

Decisions: M, 2-1

Major Decisions: 2-2

Tech. Falls: M, 1-0

Pins: M, 1-0

 

Contact B.B. Branton at William.branton@comcast.net

 

also posted on Chattanoogan.com

[Raider76]

BB thanks for posting. you are great with information. You must really type fast.

[Sommers]

when is Daniel coming back? Sure is great to see som many TN and other southern boys compete, even for Mizzu!

[Raider76]

when is Daniel coming back? Sure is great to see som many TN and other southern boys compete, even for Mizzu!

 

Daniel had shoulder surgrey and is out for the year. Isn't it great to see the TN kids and other Southeast kids proving they can compete on a National level.

[bear cat brown]

when is Daniel coming back? Sure is great to see som many TN and other southern boys compete, even for Mizzu!

 

Daniel had shoulder surgrey and is out for the year. Isn't it great to see the TN kids and other Southeast kids proving they can compete on a National level.

 

How many of those young men that competed on a National level were members of the Men's Div ???

 

bcb iii

[Raider76]

when is Daniel coming back? Sure is great to see som many TN and other southern boys compete, even for Mizzu!

 

Daniel had shoulder surgrey and is out for the year. Isn't it great to see the TN kids and other Southeast kids proving they can compete on a National level.

 

How many of those young men that competed on a National level were members of the Men's Div ???

 

bcb iii

Phillip Simpson,Nick Marable, Jordan Leen, and Cody Cleveland are the recent ones who come to mind.

[CoachGrimwood]

What has happened to Brandon Wright and Kelly Felix. Why haven't I seen them in the line up?