BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling will travel to Tennessee to take on long-time Southern Conference rival No. 25 Chattanooga on Friday night Maclellan Gym. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Mountaineers (9-3, 4-1 SoCon) will try to bounce back from their first SoCon loss of the year to Gardner-Webb last Tuesday. The Mountaineers have four wrestlers in Vito Pasone, Michael Longo, Nick Kee, and Denzel Dejournette who enter the match with perfect SoCon records at 5-0.
CHATTANOOGA: The Mocs come into the match with a 10-2 overall record and a 5-0 Southern Conference mark. UTC is currently ranked No. 25 in the USA Today/ NWCA poll, the spot that Appalachian held prior to the loss to Gardner-Webb. The Mocs were last in action against at Davidson, defeating the Wildcats, 37-9.
Chattanooga has one wrestler ranked in the top 25 in No.11 heavyweight Jared Johnson. Dejournette defeated Johnson that last two they faced off with wins at the 2016 Southern Scuffle and during the 2015 SoCon Championship.
The Mocs hold a 29-13-1 all-time series record over the Mountaineers. The Apps last win over the Mocs was in 2012 by a score of 21-17. Last season, UTC narrowly escaped its match in Boone with a 19-17 win.
NATIONALLY RANKED MOUNTAINEERS:
125: Vito Pasone is ranked No. 33 in the NCAA Coaches' Panel rankings.
165: Forrest Przybysz is ranked No. 25 in the NCAA Coaches' Panel rankings.
174: Kee is ranked No. 18 in the Open Mat poll and 21 in the in the NCAA Coaches' Panel rankings.
Hwt: Dejournette is ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Coaches' Panel rankings, No. 6 in the Open Mat poll, No. 6 in the Intermat Wrestling poll, and No. 6 in the FloWrestling rankings.
SoCon Wrestlers of the Week:
Nov. 18- Denzel Dejournette
Nov. 25- Denzel Dejournette
Dec. 9- Nick Kee
Dec. 16- Forrest Przybysz
Jan. 6- Denzel Dejournette
2016 Arby's SoCon Wrestling Championship
The Southern Conference Wrestling Championship will be held in Asheville, N.C. in Kimmel Arena on March 5. The Doors Open at 9:00 a.m. and wrestling will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Championship round starts at 7:00 p.m. with an award ceremony immediately following the matches.
SoCon Championship Ticket Pricing
Adult - $15
Youth (6-12) - $10
Groups (10+) - $8
5 and under - Free
Students (with school ID) - Free
