Saturday, October 2, 2021

2022: The Preseason: Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs

As the competition in the Southern Conference continues to grow, Chattanooga doesn't have the strong hold they once did, but the Mocs will contend to put as many as five in the finals. 

125
Fabian Gutierrez
Senior
Record: 71-35
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
SOCON: 20'2nd, 21'3rd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 18'R12, 19'R12

Gutierrez is a contender for a SOCON title this season.  He's 0-1 Vs Codi Russell of Appalachian State, but a 4-3 loss can be turned into a win.  Regardless of who Virginia Tech starts, Korbin Meink or Zurich Storm, Gutierrez has defeated both of them. Within the NCAA, Gutierrez owns a 6:57 fall over NCAA runner-up Brandon Courtney of Arizona State.  Twice a match away from a medal at the Southern Scuffle, he should earn his first this season. 

141
Franco Valdes
Junior
Record: 28-28

There's no reason at all to think that Valdes can't win a SOCON title this season.  He was 10-0 when he was injured in a 4-2 sudden victory loss to SOCON runner-up Shannon Hanna of Campbell.  He defeated SOCON champion Anthony Brito of Appalachian State 5-3.  

165
Drew Nicholson 
Junior
Record: 45-51
NCAA: 21'NQ
SOCON: 21'1st 

Nicholson has his work cut out for him to defend his 2021 SOCON title as he competes in the conference's toughest weight class.  Being 4-2 against The Citadel's Dazjon Casto, he is 0-3 vs Appalachian State's William Formato and he's 1-3 Vs Gardner Webb's R.J. Mosley. Nevertheless he defied the odds last season to win a title, no reason he can't again this season.  As to other notable victories, a 10-4 decision over Penn State's Joe Lee. 

184
Matt Waddell
Junior
Record: 46-39
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
SOCON: 20'2nd, 21'2nd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'4th 

I'd like to think Waddell makes a run at his first SOCON title, but thus far he's been unable to figure out Caleb Hopkins of Campbell, so a third silver medal seems more likely.  Like Gutierrez he has some notable wins including an 8-6 victory over Zach Braunagel of Illinois and a 4-2 victory over Anthony Montalvo of Oklahoma State. 

197
Logan Andrew
Freshman
Record: 19-16
NCAA: 21'NQ
SOCON: 21'NQ

He has lost two tight matches, 3-1 and 4-3 to Chris Kober of Campbell, that I would think could be turned into wins to give the Mocs another SOCON champion.  With that said he first has to get past Tyler Mousaw of VMI who he is 1-1 against. 

=== 

125 - NQ
133 - DNQ
141- NQ
149 - DNQ
157 - DNQ
165 - NQ 
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ
HWT - DNQ 

5 qualifiers with all 5 in the SOCON finals.  Pretty good showing for George McIntyre's favorite team. 















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