CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? Chattanooga wrapped up a perfect Southern Conference campaign with a 43-3 win over VMI on Monday evening at the MacLellan Gym.
The Mocs (12-10, 5-0 SoCon) scored nine wins, while Keydet (0-11, 0-5 SoCon) sophomore Josh Wine scored the visitor's only win of the dual. At heavyweight, Wine ran up a 7-2 decision on Cody Sliger, improving to 12-6 on the season and 4-0 in the SoCon.
The match started at 197, where the Mocs got a quick six, as Ethan Winel pinned Curtis Moore in 34 seconds. Wine then answered to cut the advantage to 6-3, but that was as close as VMI got the rest of the night.
Demetrius Johnson got the Mocs rolling with a 12-2 major decision over VMI's John Pope. The Mocs' Josh Statum then scored a 6-3 decision over Tyler Hutchens at 133, accruing over three-and-a-half minutes of riding time in the win.
The tightest match of the evening came at 141, as UTC's Tim Hannah outlasted VMI freshman David Yost, 9-7. With Hannah ahead 7-5 entering the third period, Yost chose the down position to start the frame. Yost scored a reversal to knot the match at 7-7, however, Hannah escaped to move ahead 8-7, then held on to earn the riding time point at the conclusion of the match.
The momentum stayed with the host Mocs for the rest of the night, scoring extra-point wins in each of the final bouts. Daniel Waddell scored a 15-5 major decision at 149 before Joseph Knox ran up a 24-6 technical fall in 5:19 at 157.
UTC then posted three consecutive pins, all before the midway point of the first period, to end the night.
VMI returns to action at the Southern Conference Championships, being hosted by The Citadel on Saturday, March 7 at the McAlister Field House in Charleston, S.C.
Chattanooga 43, VMI 3 (Feb. 23, 2009)
125- Demetrius Johnson (UTC) maj. dec. John Pope (VMI), 12-2
133- Josh Statum (UTC) dec. Tyler Hutchens (VMI), 6-3
141- Tim Hannah (UTC) dec. David Yost (VMI), 9-7
149- Daniel Waddell (UTC) maj. dec. Joe Munno (VMI), 15-5
157- Joseph Knox (UTC) tech. fall Joel Hutchens (VMI), 24-6 (5:19)
165- William Garvin (UTC) pins Kyle Elgert (VMI), 1:24
174- Jason McCroskey (UTC) pins Andrew Szymborski (VMI), 1:27
184- Benjamin Roberson (UTC) pins Vinnie Gallo (VMI), 1:25
197- Ethan Winel (UTC) pins Curtis Moore (VMI), 0:34
285- Josh Wine (VMI) dec. Cody Sliger (UTC), 7-2
