Mocs Predicted to Win Sixth Straight SoCon Title; Preseason All-Conference Named

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga has been predicted to win the 2010 Southern Conference Wrestling championship, in voting by the league’s head coaches, it was announced on Wednesday. The coaches also selected a 10-member preseason All-Southern Conference wrestling team.

The Mocs, who carry a 25-match unbeaten streak in league dual matches into the season, have won the past five SoCon regular season and tournament championships. Under the direction of first-year head coach Heath Eslinger, UTC picked up four of the six first-place votes in the balloting along with preseason all-conference wrestlers at four positions.

A two-time Outstanding Wrestler at the SoCon Tournament, Cody Cleveland was honored as the top wrestler at 141 pounds, and he was joined by teammates Demetrius Johnson (125), Joey Knox (157) and Jason McCroskey (184).

Following Chattanooga in the preseason poll was Appalachian State with 22 points and the remaining two first-place votes. The Mountaineers, led by another first-year head coach in JohnMark Bentley, are represented on the all-conference squad by Frank Celorrio (133), Kyle Blevins (165) and Austin Trotman (174).

UNC Greensboro received 16 points to take the third spot in the poll followed by The Citadel (13), VMI (9) and Davidson (6) in the fourth through sixth spots, respectively.

Davidson’s Daniel DeCamp (149), The Citadel’s Odie Delaney (197) and VMI’s Josh Wine (Heavyweight) each earned preseason all-conference distinction.

Johnson, Celorrio, Cleveland, Knox, McCroskey, Delaney and Wine were all winners at the 2009 SoCon Championships.

The 2009-10 Southern Conference wrestling season begins this Saturday, Nov. 7 when The Citadel hosts the The Citadel Open and Chattanooga travels to Virginia Tech.

Davidson will host the 2010 Southern Conference Wrestling Championship in at the Baker Sports Complex on March 6, 2010.

2009-10 SoCon Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll

School (First-place votes)                Points

1.         Chattanooga (4)                       24

2.         Appalachian State (2)               22

3.         UNC Greensboro                     16

4.         The Citadel                              13

5.         VMI                                          9

6.         Davidson                                 6

2009-10 SoCon Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team

125       Demetrius Johnson, Chattanooga

133       Frank Celorrio, Appalachian State

141       Cody Cleveland, Chattanooga

149       David DeCamp, Davidson

157       Joey Knox, Chattanooga

165       Kyle Blevins, Appalachian State

174       Austin Trotman, Appalachian State

184       Jason McCroskey, Chattanooga

197       Odie Delaney, The Citadel