Mocs’ Boykin undefeated at Virginia Duals

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team went 1-2 on the first day of the Virginia Duals, with both losses coming to nationally ranked opponents.

The Mocs (4-5) will wrestle Old Dominion in the Silver Bracket consolation match at 10 this morning.

UTC finished second in the Poquoson River Pool with a 23-15 win over Kent State, followed by a 33-7 loss to 11th-ranked Northern Iowa. Their finish put them in the Silver Bracket, where they fell 22-18 to No. 20 Lock Haven in a semifinal.

All five of the Mocs’ losses this season have come against opponents ranked in the top 20 at the time.

UTC 197-pound senior Scottie Boykin, who is ranked 15th nationally as an individual, went 3-0 Friday. His wins included an 8-7 decision against Northern Iowa’s Jacob Holschlag, who is ranked 19th.

The Mocs’ Chad Pyke (165), Justin Lampe (174) and Bryce Carr (184) each went 2-1, while Alonzo Allen (125), Chris Debien (133) and Mike Pongracz (141) each had one win.

The Mocs trailed 9-7 halfway through their dual with Kent State but assumed control with four consecutive victories, including technical falls by Carr and Boykin. Pyke and Lampe won by decision during the run.

Pyke and Boykin had the lone wins against Northern Iowa, while Debien and Lampe were victorious in contested matches against Lock Haven in the Silver Bracket semifinals. Carr and Boykin won by forfeit.

The Mocs’ Torrez Finney, a football player who just joined the wrestling team due to the Mocs’ lack of depth at heavyweight, defaulted due to an injury in the first match and did not return.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.