The first USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll was released on Saturday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and the Chattanooga Mocs are two spots outside of the Top-25. UTC garnered 13 votes in the poll, just four behind No. 25 Wyoming.
Chattanooga won its 28th Southern Conference Tournament title and posted a 16-7 dual match record in 2013-14. The Mocs were No. 24 in the final USA Today/NWCA Top-25 last season. Chattanooga was also 7-0 in conference matches, winning its 13th regular season title since the league began recognizing a season champ in 1992.
UTC is picked to win the Southern Conference again, according to the preseason SoCon Coaches Poll. The Mocs welcome back seven starters and 18 letter winners from last year's squad. Seniors Nick Soto (133), Corey Mock (165) and Levi Clemons (174) were all named to the preseason All-SoCon team.
“We enjoy the preseason recognition and the fact that the collegiate wrestling community sees what we are building here in Chattanooga,” stated head coach Heath Eslinger. “However, we all know that it is not about where you start the season, but where you end it. Our focus is on getting better every day and being fully prepared for the NCAA Championships in March.”
The Mocs open the season on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Hokie Open in Salem, Va. The first home match is Dec. 12 against Purdue. Season tickets are on sale now and include The Southern Scuffle (Jan. 1-2) and a visit from Oklahoma (Feb. 15). Call (423) 266-MOCS (2267) or order online on GoMocs.com.
USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team (First) |
Points |
Conference |
2013-14 Record |
| 1 |
Iowa (4) |
286 |
Big Ten |
15-2 |
| 2 |
Minnesota (7) |
284 |
Big Ten |
13-1 |
| 3 |
Cornell |
270 |
EIWA |
13-1 |
| 4 |
Ohio State |
263 |
Big Ten |
13-5 |
| 5 |
Penn State (1) |
258 |
Big Ten |
15-1 |
| 6 |
Missouri |
234 |
Big 12 |
10-2 |
| 7 |
Nebraska |
215 |
Big Ten |
12-2 |
| 8 |
Oklahoma State |
214 |
Big 12 |
10-5 |
| 9 |
Michigan |
211 |
Big Ten |
11-4 |
| 10 |
Edinboro |
199 |
EWL |
11-3 |
| 11 |
Virginia |
156 |
ACC |
18-3 |
| 12 |
Virginia Tech |
155 |
ACC |
18-5 |
| 13 |
Illinois |
148 |
Big Ten |
11-7 |
| 14 |
Pittsburgh |
146 |
ACC |
13-3 |
| 15 |
Lehigh |
127 |
EIWA |
10-6 |
| 16 |
Iowa State |
121 |
Big 12 |
9-7 |
| 17 |
Northern Iowa |
116 |
MAC |
13-0 |
| 18 |
Wisconsin |
108 |
Big Ten |
12-6 |
| 19 |
Northwestern |
102 |
Big Ten |
9-7 |
| 20 |
Oregon State |
68 |
Pac-12 |
11-7 |
| 21 |
Oklahoma |
55 |
Big 12 |
11-5 |
| 22 |
Old Dominion |
40 |
MAC |
8-10 |
| 23 |
North Dakota State |
24 |
WWC |
11-7 |
| 24 |
Ohio |
22 |
MAC |
11-4 |
| 25 |
Wyoming |
17 |
WWC |
6-6 |
Others receiving votes: Stanford 14, Chattanooga 13, Kent State 10, N.C. State 9, Central Michigan 8, Penn 4, Maryland 3.
