University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Men's Wrestling

Start Date: August 2018   Head Coaching Record 2025-26: 10-5 Overall | 7-1 SoCon (T1st) | 2nd SoCon T'ment | T57th NCAA Champ. 2024-25: 6-10 Overall | 5-3 SoCon (T4th) | 4th SoCon T'ment | T48th NCAA Champ. 2023-24: 10-7 Overall | 4-4 SoCon (T4th) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | T53rd NCAA Champ. 2022-23: 9-11 Overall | 6-2 SoCon (3rd) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | T44th NCAA Champ. 2021-22: 9-10 Overall | 6-2 SoCon (3rd) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | T56th NCAA Champ. 2020-21: 8-4 Overall | 6-2 SoCon (3rd) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | T56th NCAA Champ. 2019-20: 7-9 Overall | 4-2 SoCon (3rd) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | Cancelled (COVID) 2018-19: 7-7 Overall | 5-1 SoCon (T1st) | 3rd SoCon T'ment | T56th NCAA Champ. Total: 66-63 Overall | 43-17 SoCon   Notable Entering 2026-27 Season - Two SoCon Regular Season Titles (2019, 2026) - 12 SoCon Individual Champs - 25 NCAA Qualifiers   NCAA Qualifers 2019: Alonzo Allen, Tanner Smith, Chris Debien, Rodney Jones 2020: Alonzo Allen, Tanner Smith, Matthew Waddell 2021: Fabian Gutierrez, Drew Nicholson, Matthew Waddell, Logan Andrew 2022: Fabian Gutierrez, Brayden Palmer, Drew Nicholson, Matthew Waddell 2023: Brayden Palmer, Rocky Jordan, Matthew Waddell 2024: Brayden Palmer, Isaiah Powe 2025: Blake Boarman, Noah Castillo, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cooper Flynn, Kade Rule   SoCon Champions 2019: Chris Debien (141) 2021: Andrew Nicholson (165) 2022: Fabian Gutierrez (125), Matthew Waddell (197) 2023: Brayden Palmer (133), Rocky Jordan (174) 2024: Brayden Palmer (125), Isaiah Powe (141) 2025: Noah Castillo (157), Sergio Desiante (174) 2026: Cooper Flynn (125), Kade Rule (197)   SoCon Wrestler of the Year 2019: Tanner Smith 2024: Isaiah Powe   SoCon Freshman of the Year 2019: Tanner Smith 2021: Weston Wichman 2022: Noah Castillo 2024: Isaiah Powe 2026: Kade Rule   SoCon Champ. Most Outstanding Wrestler 2021: Drew Nicholson 2023: Brayden Palmer   All-SoCon 2019: Alonzo Allen, Chris Debien 2020: Fabian Gutierrez, Rodney Jones 2021: Franco Valdes 2022: Fabian Gutierrez, Brayden Palmer, Drew Nicholson 2023: Rocky Jordan 2024: Isaiah Powe 2025: Noah Castillo 2026: Cooper Flynn, Hunter Mason, Kamdyn Munro, Kade Rule SoCon All-Freshman 2019: Tanner Smith, Ryan Resnick, Drew Nicholson 2024: Isaiah Powe, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cavarius Liddie, Ethan Uhorchuk, Landon Jones, Kade Rule Southern Scuffle Placers 2019: Alonzo Allen (5th), Chris Debien (6th) 2020: Matthew Waddell (4th), Tanner Smith (5th) 2021: Cancelled 2022: Brayden Palmer (3rd) 2023: Brayden Palmer (2nd) 2024: Isaiah Powe (3rd), Blake Boarman (4th), Noah Castillo (4th), Austin Paradice (7th) 2025: Sergio Desiante (1st), Blake Boarman (5th), Jackson Hurst (6th), Bryce Luna (8th) 2026: Cooper Flynn (3rd), Landon Jones (6th), Kamdyn Munro (7th), Ty Tice (8th)   NWCA Scholar All-Americans 2020: Tanner Smith 2021: Drew Nicholson, Franco Valdes, Weston Wichman 2022: Lincoln Heck, Drew Nicholson, Weston Wichman 2023: Logan Ashton, Jake Boyd, Rocky Jordan, Franco Valdes, Weston Wichman 2024: Jackson Hurst, Kaleb Snodgrass 2025: Jackson Hurst, Ty Tice 2026: Will Anderson, Cooper Flynn, Mason Reiniche, Kade Rule   Previous Coaching Positions Chattanooga, Assistant Coach, June-July 2018 - Elevated to interim head coach following Heath Eslinger's resignation before securing the full-time leadership of the program. Wisconsin, Assistant Coach, 2011-18 - Helped five Badgers earn seven All-American honors. - Four times in his tenure, Wisconsin finished in the top 20 at the NCAA Tournament. - Best finish was a 13th-place showing in 2013.  - Helped Isaac Jordan to two Big Ten Championships and earn four All-American honors. Jordan's win in 2015 was the program's first conference champ since Trevor Brandvold in 2011.  - Coached Evan Wick to a third-place finish at NCAAs in 2018. - All-Americans Ryan Taylor and Connor Medbery in 2015 were tutored by Ruschell.   - In 2017, the Badgers sent nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, marking the program's highest number of qualifiers since 2007. Personal Wife: Allie (Johnson) Children: Otto & Bear Hometown: Crittendon, Ky. - In the fight to "Save Olympic Wrestling", Ruschell was asked to be a representative for the sport at the Kentucky state capital as they passed a state bylaw to keep wrestling in the Olympics. - Pan American Champion in 2017 at 74kg.. - Made the U.S. National Team in 2014. He placed third in the U.S. Open and third in Phase II of the World Team Trials after beating 2-time national champion Kellen Russell from Michigan and national team member Frank Mollinaro, who was a national champion for Penn State. Collegiate Career Alma Mater: Wisconsin '10 Sports Played: Wrestling - 4-time NCAA Qualifier. - 1st 2-time collegiate All-American from the state of Kentucky & the state's highest placer ever in NCAA DI Championships. - 4-year letter winner serving as captain in his junior and senior campaigns. - 123-36 all-time record for the Badgers. - Big Ten finalist as a senior...placed all four years: 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th.

Start Date: July 2022 Chattanooga Positions Assistant Coach, 2023-present Previous Experience - Columbia, Assistant Coach, 2019-23 - Badger Regional Training Center, 2015-18 - Cliff Keen Wrestling Club, Resident Athlete, 2013-15 - Michigan, Volunteer Asst., 2013 - Wisconsin, Volunteer Asst., 2010-12 Notable Entering 2026-27 Season - 8 SoCon Individual Champs - 10 NCAA Qualifiers   NCAA Qualifers 2023: Brayden Palmer, Rocky Jordan, Matthew Waddell 2024: Brayden Palmer, Isaiah Powe 2025: Blake Boarman, Noah Castillo, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cooper Flynn, Kade Rule SoCon Champions 2023: Brayden Palmer (133), Rocky Jordan (174) 2024: Brayden Palmer (125), Isaiah Powe (141) 2025: Noah Castillo (157), Sergio Desiante (174) 2026: Cooper Flynn (125), Kade Rule (197) SoCon Wrestler of the Year 2024: Isaiah Powe SoCon Freshman of the Year 2024: Isaiah Powe 2026: Kade Rule SoCon Champ. Most Outstanding Wrestler 2023: Brayden Palmer All-SoCon 2023: Rocky Jordan 2024: Isaiah Powe 2025: Noah Castillo 2026: Cooper Flynn, Hunter Mason, Kamdyn Munro, Kade Rule SoCon All-Freshman 2024: Isaiah Powe, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cavarius Liddie, Ethan Uhorchuk, Landon Jones, Kade Rule Southern Scuffle Placers 2023: Brayden Palmer (2nd) 2024: Isaiah Powe (3rd), Blake Boarman (4th), Noah Castillo (4th), Austin Paradice (7th) 2025: Sergio Desiante (1st), Blake Boarman (5th), Jackson Hurst (6th), Bryce Luna (8th) 2026: Cooper Flynn (3rd), Landon Jones (6th), Kamdyn Munro (7th), Ty Tice (8th)   NWCA Scholar All-Americans 2023: Logan Ashton, Jake Boyd, Rocky Jordan, Franco Valdes, Weston Wichman 2024: Jackson Hurst, Kaleb Snodgrass 2025: Jackson Hurst, Ty Tice 2026: Will Anderson, Cooper Flynn, Mason Reiniche, Kade Rule Personal Wife: Bryn  Son: Pax (2026) Hometown: Champlin, Minn. Collegiate Career Alma Mater: Wisconsin '09 Degree: Life Science Communications - Teammate with Head Coach Kyle Ruschell at Wisconsin. - 3-time NCAA Qualifier. Missed opportunity for four due to injury. - 2008 All-American at 285. - 84-32 career record including 30-10 mark as a senior. - Selected to compete in the 2008-09 NWCA All-Star Classic. - Competed internationally at 125kg with at Cliff Keen earning silver medal at 2013 Guelph Open...US Open sixth place...World Team Trials Qualifier.

Eslinger (pronounced ESS-leen-guhr) is in his eighth year as the head coach of the Mocs wrestling program.  A former Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year and UTC alum, Eslinger took over on July 11, 2009. Eslingers impact over the last seven years has been tremendous.  He guided the team to six SoCon Regular Season and five Tournament Championships.  He is already No. 2 on the UTC career wins list with an 85-45 record, and is an amazing 42-2 in SoCon matches.  The Mocs have been at the forefront of the promotion of collegiate wrestling during Eslingers tenure with the creation of the Chattanooga Strong brand.  His aggressive marketing approach has helped UTC set attendance records in Maclellan Gym during his tenure, including a sold out crowd (2,639) for the Iowa match in 2013. Eslinger also orchestrated the move of the Southern Scuffle to Chattanoogas McKenzie Arena in 2012.  The Southern Scuffle has grown into the top in-season collegiate tournament in the nation and one of the best attended events in college wrestling.  There has also been a marked improvement in the classroom under Eslingers watch.  The Mocs have finished in the top-10 in the nation in team g.p.a. among wrestling programs three times and UTC topped a 3.0 as a team for the first time in the fall of 2016.          Prior to UTC, Eslinger spent three seasons building the Cleveland High School wrestling program in Cleveland, Tenn., into one of the premier programs in the state.  The Blue Raiders finished in the top-3 in the state duals and traditional standings in each of his last two seasons.  During his time at Cleveland High School, Eslinger was able to successfully raise money for the program.  He also helped build a $250,000 weight training facility for the school.  He was also a well-respected physical education teacher at the high school. Prior to CHS, Eslinger spent two years as a student pastor at First Baptist Church in Cleveland.  His responsibilities dealt with all aspects of a mega-church student ministry.  He orchestrated events and camps for over 250 students and organized leaders and curricula for each.  Eslinger gained valuable collegiate coaching experience as an assistant at UTC under Terry Brands from 2002-04.  There he learned the ins and outs of recruiting, fundraising, budgets and the overall administration of a collegiate athletic program.  Fresh out of college, Eslinger returned to his high school alma mater, Bradley Central in Cleveland, for his first coaching experience.  As an assistant for the Bears, he helped guide Bradley Central to state titles in 2001 and 2002.  He also served as an elementary physical education teacher in Bradley County school system. Eslinger won four letters with the Mocs from 1995-2000.  He posted a 120-18 all-time record, winning three Southern Conference titles and qualifying for the NCAA Championships three times.  His 120 wins broke the school's all-time record and is still the second highest win total in UTC history.  Respected by his teammates, Eslinger was tabbed as team captain all four years of his collegiate career.  He was the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2000 and the SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler that same season.  His senior year he climbed as high as No. 6 in the nation.  Eslinger's prep career was just as impressive and included two state titles at Bradley Central High School.  He was captain of the first team to win a state title for the Bears and the 1995 TSSAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.  Eslinger and his wife, Brandi, have three daughters, Brookelyn (11) and twins, Madelyn and Keelyn (9) and a son, Carson (4).  He is very involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and won the organization's Jim Slater Leadership Award in 2008.  In 2007, he earned the FCA's Gerry Stephens Influence Award.  A noted speaker, Eslinger is a regular on the camps and clinics circuit all across the nation. ESLINGER'S CAREER NUMBERS Heath Eslinger Head Coach Heath Eslinger (pronounced ESS-leen-guhr) is in his eighth year as the head coach of the Mocs wrestling program.  A former Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year and UTC alum, Eslinger took over on July 11, 2009. Eslingers impact over the last seven years has been tremendous.  He guided the team to six SoCon Regular Season and five Tournament Championships.  He is already No. 2 on the UTC career wins list with an 85-45 record, and is an amazing 42-2 in SoCon matches.  The Mocs have been at the forefront of the promotion of collegiate wrestling during Eslingers tenure with the creation of the Chattanooga Strong brand.  His aggressive marketing approach has helped UTC set attendance records in Maclellan Gym during his tenure, including a sold out crowd (2,639) for the Iowa match in 2013. Eslinger also orchestrated the move of the Southern Scuffle to Chattanoogas McKenzie Arena in 2012.  The Southern Scuffle has grown into the top in-season collegiate tournament in the nation and one of the best attended events in college wrestling.  There has also been a marked improvement in the classroom under Eslingers watch.  The Mocs have finished in the top-10 in the nation in team g.p.a. among wrestling programs three times and UTC topped a 3.0 as a team for the first time in the fall of 2016.          Prior to UTC, Eslinger spent three seasons building the Cleveland High School wrestling program in Cleveland, Tenn., into one of the premier programs in the state.  The Blue Raiders finished in the top-3 in the state duals and traditional standings in each of his last two seasons.  During his time at Cleveland High School, Eslinger was able to successfully raise money for the program.  He also helped build a $250,000 weight training facility for the school.  He was also a well-respected physical education teacher at the high school. Prior to CHS, Eslinger spent two years as a student pastor at First Baptist Church in Cleveland.  His responsibilities dealt with all aspects of a mega-church student ministry.  He orchestrated events and camps for over 250 students and organized leaders and curricula for each.  Eslinger gained valuable collegiate coaching experience as an assistant at UTC under Terry Brands from 2002-04.  There he learned the ins and outs of recruiting, fundraising, budgets and the overall administration of a collegiate athletic program.  Fresh out of college, Eslinger returned to his high school alma mater, Bradley Central in Cleveland, for his first coaching experience.  As an assistant for the Bears, he helped guide Bradley Central to state titles in 2001 and 2002.  He also served as an elementary physical education teacher in Bradley County school system. Eslinger won four letters with the Mocs from 1995-2000.  He posted a 120-18 all-time record, winning three Southern Conference titles and qualifying for the NCAA Championships three times.  His 120 wins broke the school's all-time record and is still the second highest win total in UTC history.  Respected by his teammates, Eslinger was tabbed as team captain all four years of his collegiate career.  He was the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2000 and the SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler that same season.  His senior year he climbed as high as No. 6 in the nation.  Eslinger's prep career was just as impressive and included two state titles at Bradley Central High School.  He was captain of the first team to win a state title for the Bears and the 1995 TSSAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.  Eslinger and his wife, Brandi, have three daughters, Brookelyn (11) and twins, Madelyn and Keelyn (9) and a son, Carson (4).  He is very involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and won the organization's Jim Slater Leadership Award in 2008.  In 2007, he earned the FCA's Gerry Stephens Influence Award.  A noted speaker, Eslinger is a regular on the camps and clinics circuit all across the nation. ESLINGER'S CAREER NUMBERS

Start Date: Sept. 2023 Chattanooga Positions Assistant Coach, 2024-present Previous Experience - Cornell, Assistant (Grey Shirts), 2021-23  - RTC Athlete, Spartan Combat, 2021-23 - RTC Athlete, Gopher Wrestling Club, 2020-21 Notable Entering 2026-27 Season - 6 SoCon Individual Champs - 7 NCAA Qualifiers   NCAA Qualifers 2024: Brayden Palmer, Isaiah Powe 2025: Blake Boarman, Noah Castillo, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cooper Flynn, Kade Rule   SoCon Champions 2024: Brayden Palmer (125), Isaiah Powe (141) 2025: Noah Castillo (157), Sergio Desiante (174) 2026: Cooper Flynn (125), Kade Rule (197)   SoCon Wrestler of the Year 2024: Isaiah Powe   SoCon Freshman of the Year 2024: Isaiah Powe 2026: Kade Rule   All-SoCon 2024: Isaiah Powe 2025: Noah Castillo 2026: Cooper Flynn, Hunter Mason, Kamdyn Munro, Kade Rule SoCon All-Freshman 2024: Isaiah Powe, Sergio Desiante 2026: Cavarius Liddie, Ethan Uhorchuk, Landon Jones, Kade Rule Southern Scuffle Placers 2024: Isaiah Powe (3rd), Blake Boarman (4th), Noah Castillo (4th), Austin Paradice (7th) 2025: Sergio Desiante (1st), Blake Boarman (5th), Jackson Hurst (6th), Bryce Luna (8th) 2026: Cooper Flynn (3rd), Landon Jones (6th), Kamdyn Munro (7th), Ty Tice (8th)   NWCA Scholar All-Americans 2024: Jackson Hurst, Kaleb Snodgrass 2025: Jackson Hurst, Ty Tice 2026: Will Anderson, Cooper Flynn, Mason Reiniche, Kade Rule Coaching Highlights - Volunteer assistant at Smiley High School (2020-21), helping SHS to the Minnesota State Championship. - Coached Pennsylvania at the 2022 Cadet Duals.  Personal Wife: Sarahanne  Children: Nila Son: Myles (deceased) Parents: Dennis & Carey Skatzka Sisters: Jordan & Taylor  Hometown: Richmond, Mich. Collegiate Career Alma Mater: Minnesota '20 Degree: Sport Management - 4-time NCAA Qualifier at 174. - 2-time All-America (2019, 2020) - Won 102 career matches at Indiana (48) and Minnesota (54).