UTC's 79 points were just three behind No. 21 Virginia.  Chattanooga finished ahead nine other teams ranked in the top-54, including No. 15 Virginia Tech and No. 25 Hofstra.

Soto, a true freshman from Spring Hill, Fla., ended up the star of the tournament for the Mocs.  He took on No. 5 and top-seeded David Thorn of Minnesota in the morning semifinals.  Neither individual was able to mount much offense and the match remained tied at one after regulation. 

In the second overtime, Soto got the crowd of 2,168 on their feet when he scored backpoints to go ahead.  Add in another escape and he was able to hang on for a 5-1 decision and advance to the evening finals.  It was Soto's second win over a top-5 opponent in the last two weeks.  He went on to battle Cristop Dardanes of Minnesota in the finals, but fell 7-2. 

"I am definitely going to build on that loss," stated Soto.  "Obviously there are still holes in my game.  I need to work even harder now in practice.  I proved that I can wrestle with the best guys.  I have proved it to myself, now I just have to fill in the gaps and get back to the grind." 

"It was a good match," stated Eslinger of Soto's effort in the finals.  "Obviously we knew that was a tough opponent.  That kid was not seeded as high and beat some good guys on his way to the finals.  We knew we had our work cut out for us, but it is good.  You have to win four of five hard matches to be an All-American or a National Champion and that is Nick's goal.  There is no other goal he has."

The Mocs started the day in eighth place and quickly moved up the charts with four wins in four consolation matches.  Junior Niko Brown (Kissimmee, Fla.) capped the early streak with his 9-7 victory over Cornell's Jace Bennett at 197.

Seniors Dan Waddell (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Brandon Wright (Germantown, Tenn.) and junior Dean Pavlou (Cleveland, Tenn.) also won at 157, 165 and 149, respectively, to start the day.  With Soto in the main draw semifinals, that ensured five Chattanooga wrestlers would place in the event.    

Pavlou kept the momentum going with a 7-5 upset over Cornell's 18^th-ranked Craig Eifert in the backdraw quarters.  Pavlou would go on to finish in sixth place at 149. 

Waddell also continued to advance in the 157 bracket, topping Virginia's Matt Stephens 3-2 in the consolation quarters.  He advanced to the third place match with a 3-2 win over Cornell's James Vollrath in double-overtime.  Waddell would finish fourth overall.    

Wright dropped his final two matches but placed eighth at 165.  Brown split his final two outings for a seventh place showing at 197. 

"I think the team did an excellent job," said Soto.  "I think we fed off of each other's energy, which is exactly what we needed.  I think our team chemistry made for a better tournament outcome for us.  It was definitely a key."

"Our goal was to have multiple placers," continued Eslinger.  "We had some things go our way and that was part of it.  Sometimes they don't go our way.  Dan getting into the medal rounds was big and he needs to get on a roll.  Brandon as well.  Dean Pavlou had a great tournament and he is not even our starter.  Niko Brown had a great tournament and he needs to get better.  Again, it is a reflection of what they are doing in practice."

Penn State took the team title with 191.5 points.  Minnesota was second with 177.5 while Missouri finished third at 136.  Cornell (130) and Oregon State (103) rounded out the top-5.  Penn State's David Taylor earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award while Ohio's Ryan Garringer was the Gregorian Award winner for the most falls in the least amount of time.      

There is no rest for the weary as the Mocs are right back on the mat this weekend.  UTC hosts Cleveland State in a dual meet on Sunday, Jan. 8.  Action begins at 2:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) in Maclellan Gym.  Live scoring will be available, along with live video from MocsVision on GoMocs.com.  Tickets are currently available on GoMocs.com. 

Final Team Scores
1. Penn State - 191.5
2. Minnesota - 177.5
3. Missouri - 136.0
4. Cornell - 130.0
5. Oregon State - 103.0
6. Virginia - 82.0
7. Chattanooga - 79.0
8. Appalachian State - 63.5
9. Hofstra - 58.0
10. Ohio - 57.0
11. Navy - 49.5
12. North Carolina - 49.0
13. Indiana - 41.0
14. North Carolina State - 35.0
15. Old Dominion - 33.5
16. The Citadel - 25.0
17. Army - 22.5
18. Campbell - 21.5
19. Duke - 19.0
20. Cleveland State - 15.0
21. Virginia Tech - 13.5
22. Gardner Webb - 0.0