No. 18 Chattanooga 24, UNCG 18
GREENSBORO, NC ? Despite a late UNC Greensboro run, 18th-ranked Chattanooga defeated the Spartans 24-18 in Southern Conference wrestling action on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium.
Chattanooga’s Javier Maldonado put the Mocs (12-1, 2-0 SoCon) out in front 3-0 when he defeated UNCG’s Jeff Hedges 6-4 in the 125 lbs. weight class. At 133, seventh-ranked Matt Keller recorded the 8-3 decision over Spartan freshman Mitchell Johnson to extend the Mocs’ lead to 6-0.
Junior Chris Bencivenga gave UNCG (5-3, 3-1 SoCon) its first points of the day after the Davie, FL native recorded the close 13-12 decision over Cody Cleveland at 141 lbs. Chattanooga responded with a pair of fall victories, including one by 14th-ranked Aaron Martin at 149 lbs., to give the Mocs a commanding 18-3 lead.
In the 165 lbs. weight class, T.J. Sayers increased Chattanooga’s lead to 21-3 when he claimed a 6-5 decision over UNCG’s Mark Ring. However, Spartan senior Joe Lowe responded when he picked up his seventh consecutive victory as he defeated Lloyd Rogers 9-7 at 174 lbs.
Chattanooga’s Josh Edmondson gave the Mocs a 24-6 lead as the junior claimed a 6-1 decision over UNCG’s Scott Snyder. Spartan freshman Nick Clark answered back when he earned his sixth fall victory of the season over Nick Lorenzano in 2:40 in the 197 lbs. weight class. The Spartans were awarded a forfeit in the heavyweight class to close out the match.
UNCG continues its homestand when Virginia Tech comes to Fleming Gymnasium on January 31 at 7 pm.
Chattanooga 24 ? UNCG 18
125 ? Javier Maldonado (Chattanooga) def. Jeff Hedges (UNCG) by decision; 6-4
133 ? Matt Keller (Chattanooga) def. Mitchell Johnson (UNCG) by decision; 8-3
141 ? Chris Bencivenga (UNCG) def. Cody Cleveland (Chattanooga) by decision; 13-12
149 ? Aaron Martin (Chattanooga) def. Marcus Hannah (UNCG) by fall; 3:27
157 ? Jacob Yost (Chattanooga) def. Nathan Berryman (UNCG) by fall; 4:04
165 ? T.J. Sayers (Chattanooga) def. Mark Ring (UNCG) by decision; 6-5
174 ? Joe Lowe (UNCG) def. Lloyd Rogers (Chattanooga) by decision; 9-7
184 ? Josh Edmondson (Chattanooga) def. Scott Snyder (UNCG) by decision; 6-1
197 ? Nick Clark (UNCG) def. Nick Lorenzano (Chattanooga) by fall; 2:40
285 ? Joe Sheffield (UNCG) wins by forfeit