The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team put up a strong fight but came up short in a 22-15 loss to Kent State in the first match of the Heath Eslinger era today.

The Mocs opened the year against the Flashes in Blacksburg, Va., this afternoon.  Sophomore Demetrius Johnson started the dual meet with a 3-1 win over Stevie Mitcheff at 125.  His win gave the Mocs a 3-0 lead. 

No. 11 Danny Mitcheff put Kent State in front with a major decision (12-4) over freshman Josh Sandoval at 133.  Chattanooga senior Cody Clevelnd answered with a pin (5:40) against Chase Skonieczny at 141 to put the Mocs back up 9-4. 

Kent State posted two straight decisions at 149 and 157 to take a 10-9 lead before sophomore Brandon Wright answered with a 6-2 decision over Obie Simpson at 165.  UTC extended its lead to 15-10 when true freshman Jake Young won his first collegiate match, 6-2 over Casey Newburg, at 174.      

That was the last win for UTC as the flashes took the next three matches.  Chattanooga will take on Virginia Tech in the nightcap at 5:00 p.m. (E.S.T.).  Live stats for the match are available on GoMocs.com.

Kent State 22 - Chattanooga 15
125 - Demetrius Johnson (UTC) - DEC. 3-1 - Stevie Mitcheff (KSU) - UTC 3, KSU 0 
133 - No. 11 Danny Mitcheff (KSU) - MAJ. DEC. 12-4 - Josh Sandoval - KSU 4, UTC 3 
141 - No. 20 Cody Cleveland (UTC) - FALL 5:40 - Chase Skonieczny (KSU) - UTC 9, KSU 4
149 - Tommy Sasfy (KSU) - DEC. 8-5 - Dean Pavlou (UTC) - UTC 9, KSU 7
157 - Mallie Shuster (KSU) - DEC. 7-5 - No. 16 Joey Knox - KSU 10, UTC 9 
165 - Brandon Wright (UTC) - DEC. 6-2 - Obie Simpson (KSU) - UTC 12, KSU 10
174 - Jake Young (UTC) - DEC. 6-2 - Casey Newburg (KSU) - UTC 15, KSU 10 
184 - No. 9 Dustin Kilgore (KSU) - FALL 1:34 - Jason McCroskey (UTC) - KSU 16, UTC 15
197 - Adam Cogar (KSU) - DEC. 3-2 - Niko Brown (UTC) - KSU 19, UTC 15
285 - Brendan Barlow (KSU) - DEC. 3-1 - Matt Lettner (UTC) - KSU 22, UTC 19