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CHATTANOOGA—In a challenging back-to-back matchup, the Chattanooga Mocs wrestling team faced their second consecutive top 10 opponent, the formidable Ohio State Buckeyes, ultimately falling 36-6 in a competitive event held in Columbus.
The opening bout began at the 125-pound weight class, showcasing the Buckeyes’ impressive lineup of nine wrestlers ranked between No. 2 and No. 18, along with an unranked but four-time All-American competitor. In contrast, the Mocs featured four wrestlers of their own, including No. 18 Isaiah Powe, No. 24 Blake Boarman, No. 28 Noah Castillo, and No. 31 Sergio Desiante, each stepping up to the challenge.
Chattanooga faced a tough start, with Ty Tice falling to No. 11 Brendan McCrone by technical fall at 125 pounds, putting the Mocs in an early 5-0 deficit. However, Boarman made a notable effort in a tightly contested match against No. 18 Nic Bouzakis at 133 pounds, ending in a 12-7 decision that highlighted the competitive spirit of the bout.
The action intensified as Powe squared off against No. 2 Jesse Mendez, rekindling their rivalry from the 2024 NCAA Championships. Both wrestlers displayed great skill early on, trading a takedown and an escape to a 4-4 tie before Mendez took control, ultimately sealing the match with a decisive victory in the third period.
Following a dominant major decision at 149 pounds, the most fiercely contested match unfolded at 157 pounds between Castillo and No. 10 Paddy Gallagher, where neither wrestler could secure a significant lead for seven grueling minutes. Gallagher managed to secure a sudden victory with a timely takedown in overtime, showcasing the intensity of collegiate wrestling.
The match at 165 featured Jackson Hurst against Sammy Sasso, who returned from a redshirt season. Hurst fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Sasso’s experience with a score of 12-6, pushing Chattanooga further behind at 23-0.
The Mocs managed to find a silver lining when No. 31 Sergio Desiante’s match against No. 15 Bryce Hepner was cut short due to an injury for Hepner, granting Desiante a medical forfeit victory, marking Chattanooga’s only win of the evening.
The evening concluded with decisive wins for Ohio State at 184, 197, and 285 pounds, indicating a challenging night for the Mocs. Despite the setback, Coach Kye Ruschell remained optimistic, noting the visible progress in the team’s competition levels compared to their opener against Virginia Tech.
Coach Ruschell stated, “We saw more fight in most matches. These guys competed harder. We know they have even more in them, but now we can start fixing the X’s & O’s and be ready to host Princeton and Purdue next weekend.”
#5 Ohio State 36, Chattanooga 6
125: No. 11 Brendan McCrone (OSU) 16-0 Tech Fall over Ty Tice (UTC) – 0-5
133: No. 18 Nic Bouzakis (OSU) 12-7 Dec. over #24 Blake Boarman (UTC) – 0-8
141: No. 2 Jesse Mendez (OSU) 23-7 Tech Fall over #18 Isaiah Powe (UTC) – 0-13
149: No. 11 Dylan D’Emilio (OSU) 14-3 MD over Bretli Reyna (UTC) – 0-17
157: No. 10 Paddy Gallagher (OSU) 4-1 Dec. (SV) over #28 Noah Castillo (UTC) – 0-20
165: Sammy Sasso (OSU) 12-6 Dec. over Jackson Hurst (UTC) – 0-23
174: #31 Sergio Desiante (UTC) Med. For. over No. 15 Bryce Hepner (OSU) – 6-23
184: No. 17 Ryder Rogotzke (OSU) 19-12 Dec. over Kamdyn Munro (UTC) – 6-26
197: No. 11 Luke Geog (OSU) 20-5 Tech Fall over David Harper (UTC) – 6-31
285: No. 3 Nick Feldman (OSU) 19-4 Tech Fall over Ethan Vergara (UTC) – 6-36
Series
3-6-1 vs. Ohio State | 1-3-1 Away | History
Tickets
Tickets are available for purchase on GoMocs.com, with season tickets starting as low as $45 for UTC employees and alumni and $55 for the general public. This pricing covers general admission at Maclellan Gym as well as Gold Circle seating for the upcoming Southern Scuffle at the Roundhouse.
Next Up
Sat., Nov. 23: Princeton/Purdue Tri-Dual: 10 am/Noon/2 p.m. (Maclellan Gym)
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What did Coach Kye Ruschell say about the standout performances in the match against Ohio State?
**Interview with Coach Kye Ruschell of the Chattanooga Mocs Wrestling Team**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Ruschell. It was a tough match against Ohio State last night, with a final score of 36-6. Can you share your immediate thoughts on the match?
**Coach Ruschell:** Thanks for having me. It was definitely a challenging evening for us. Ohio State has a fantastic lineup, and we knew coming in that we were up against a formidable opponent. While the score wasn’t in our favor, I was encouraged by the effort our guys put in. Many of them showed more fight than in our opener against Virginia Tech.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the team appeared to compete harder than in previous matches. Can you elaborate on which specific match performances stood out to you?
**Coach Ruschell:** Absolutely. Blake Boarman’s match at 133 pounds against Nic Bouzakis was a highlight. It was closely contested, and he really battled hard to keep it competitive. Additionally, the match at 157 pounds between Noah Castillo and Paddy Gallagher showed a lot of heart from both wrestlers. Even though we lost, it was a testament to their perseverance.
**Editor:** There was a significant rivalry rekindled at 141 pounds between Isaiah Powe and Jesse Mendez. How do you think that rivalry impacts the competition?
**Coach Ruschell:** Those rivalries can definitely elevate the intensity of the match. Powe and Mendez have faced each other before, and I think it fuels both athletes to perform at their best. Even though Isaiah came up short this time, I know he learned from the experience, and his competitive spirit is something we can build on moving forward.
**Editor:** After a difficult match like this, how do you plan to regroup and prepare for the upcoming matches against Princeton and Purdue?
**Coach Ruschell:** We focus on the positives and build from there. We’ll review the tape, identify areas we need to work on, and emphasize the X’s and O’s. I believe that this team has a lot of potential, and with each match, we’re learning how to compete better. Our goal is to tighten up those areas for next weekend’s matches.
**Editor:** One final question—what message do you have for the Mocs fans following this match?
**Coach Ruschell:** I appreciate the support from our fans; it means a lot to our athletes. I’d like to remind them that each match is a stepping stone in our journey. We’re committed to improving and will be ready to bring our best against Princeton and Purdue. Stick with us—there’s a lot more to come!
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Coach Ruschell. Good luck with the upcoming matches!
**Coach Ruschell:** Thank you! Looking forward to seeing everyone there.
