August 31, 2006 by C.J. Baron, new MOC and 2006 Georgia Class A State Champion (145 lbs)

My first couple of days here before training started was extremely hectic. I had to get everything in order before I could try out for the team. Before pre-season training started, I was welcomed to wrestle in the open sessions. All the wrestlers treated me with respect, which is something very important to me. Division 1 wrestling is everything I expected since the moment I thought about wrestling in college.

The first official week that I have spent here trying out for the team was amazing. I love all the hard work, intensity, and preparation of UTC wrestling. The thing that amazed me the most is the extreme work ethic everyone has at UTC especially from our captains (Matt Keller and Michael Keefe) and Coach Bono. I am happy to know that everyone pushes each other even when times seem hard in the wrestling room, weight room, and the class room. Being around individuals such as these is something that I’ve never experienced before.

I am glad that I can grow with this team and hopefully accomplish my ultimate goal of graduating from UTC with a major in Biology and being a NCAA champion.

September 7, 2006 by Shawn Cordell (125 lbs, senior) from Cleveland, TN

As we come into the second week of pre-season the workouts have been great. They have consisted of heavy lifts and long-runs. But no matter what workout we're doing it is done with intensity and determination.

This year is going to be an exciting not only for team, but also for the fans. We have an outstanding head coach that is well-known for his work ethic and intensity. Not only is the coach showing anticipation but the team is showing pride and dedication. The members on this team are not only great guys but they are hard workers that will never quit. They are willing to do anything to achieve their own personal goals, as well as making the team better. We are showing great dedication early in the season with morning drills and runs that are not mandatory, but as a team these are the first steps we must take in order to reach our goals.

I have high expectations for myself and the team. With the chemistry and pride from this team we will reach goals that no one thought or expected us to, and put Chattanooga on the wrestling map were we belong. This year will be a great test for me not only with the competitors around the nation, but also in the practice room as well. I am going to devote myself to training at the maximum level, so I will be ready for the toughest matches.

For every wrestler training at this time, we only have one thing on our mind: the nationals in Detroit. I want to be wrestling under the spotlight on Saturday night with the crowd going crazy and walking off the mat with my hand raised as NATIONAL CHAMP.

Take your best shot. Go with your strength. Then you won't have to spend the next day thinking of what you should have done; of what might have been.

September 14, 2006 by Matt Keller (133 lbs, Captain, senior) from McDonald, TN

As we are approaching the end of our third week of pre-season I am getting more and more anxious about getting on the mat. The last three weeks have been great for me. As many of you know I have been recovering from a knee injury which is now almost 100%. I actually got on the mat and wrestled a little bit live for the first time yesterday. I am so hungry for the year to begin, and I see everyday that my feelings are contagious. I am already seeing the benefits of the work we do daily.

It is hard for me to talk about the present and not think of my future as an individual and our future as a team. I see that our future has nowhere to go but up and I did not expect things to be a rapid growth, but with the leadership we have we are making huge leaps. Our leadership begins with Coach Bono and continues down through all the guys on the team. Bono has all of us committed to working harder than anyone in the country because national titles are not won alone. One man receives the glory of getting his hand raised at the end of a match but if it were not from the help of many he will not be at that point. My goal this year is plain and simple--to be a NATIONAL CHAMP--and I expect every guy on the team to contribute to my road to a national title.

I will be in Michigan come March and win or lose I will give everything I have to win at that tournament. This is my last chance and I can not wait for my shot. I hope many of you are there to share whatever I find at the end of my season.

Dedication Leads to Domination.

September 24, 2006 by Joey Knox (149 lbs, red-shirt freshman) from Dublin, GA

This week during pre-season was one of the toughest weeks we have had yet. Between the hills and the sprints, I have only had enough time to eat, sleep, and study. Every day I find myself pushing to reach new heights, because I am reminded that while I am training there are national competitors that are sitting around partying and eating twinkies.

When the runs get tough I just think about my goals and how this is what I have to do to win. This year I look to surprise a lot of people by dominating the Southern Conference and placing at the national tournament.

The road ahead is tough. It is the one un-traveled, but I will choose to take it because I know it will make me great.

September 29, 2006 by Mark Nicely, (141 lbs, sophomore) from Rossville, GA

We just finished our last week of preseason, which was very tough, and started our first week of regular practices. We have improved tremendously since the first day of preseason and we seem to be coming together as a team more and more each day. When times get tough we always remind each other about our goals and where we want to be. think we will surprise a lot of people this year and show how hard work pays off.

I was very anxious to start our first week of practice, as was everyone else. We started the week off with a 6:30 am run Monday morning then came back to the wrestling room at 3:30 for regular practice then we followed that up with a lift. I could tell I was in a lot better shape starting off than I was at the beginning of last year. The preseason runs helped me out a lot as well as my teammates pushing me everyday. I also worked out everyday over the summer with some off my teammates and I think that will help me out a lot this year.

I am very excited about this year. This sport is my life and I love everything about it from the wrestling, the running and the lifting. It's just great. I look forward to practicing everyday. I have many goals in this sport and I plan to accomplish all of them before my time here is done. I just don't want to be remembered as just another guy who wrestled for UTC. I want to make a name for myself and be remembered for being an All-American/National Champion and show people you can accomplish your goals if you put the time in. And with a coach like Chris Bono, I believe he can help me get to where I want to be which is on the top of the podium. I hope a lot of people show up for our matches this year because we are going to put UTC wrestling back on top where it belongs and let it stay there for years to come.

October 8, 2006 by Michael Marable (184 lbs, junior) from Collierville, TN

We just finished our second week of practices in the month of October, which brought about great improvements in both the wrestling and weight room. We started out the week with difficult afternoon practices where we focused on escaping on bottom and really worked on riding and keeping our foes broken down.

On Tuesday we had a morning run, plus an afternoon practice, which was a little easier due to certain injuries and illnesses, but we still got in there and had a good hard day where we continued our work on the mat with some good hard live goes.

The next day we had a morning lift with the purpose of keeping our strength up during the up and coming season.

Thursday was an off day given to help those who were injured or sick.

On Friday we had some recruits come in because this week is homecoming and they will have a chance to really get a feel for life at UTC and see how we train on a daily basis by coming in the room and watching us workout. We also had a very good work out that day where we focused on wrestling on our feet, which lead to some very hard fought goes.

October 12, 2006 by Javier Maldonado (125 lbs, junior) from Kissimmee, FL

Another week in the books and another week closer to the start of the season. This week was a good one.

Coach Bono told us he wanted to test us and he did just that. We did a lot of wrestling and had a good swim workout on Thursday. I think the whole team is coming along well with guys pushing each other. I love being able to come into the wrestling room and practice with five national qualifiers around my weight with two of them being All-Americans.

With Coach’s workouts and my workout partners I started asking myself WHY, why not me? Why not any of my teammates? Why can’t we win? I am in a great position to win here and I want to win not just for me but for my family and teammates.

Coach Bono is my third coach here at UTC and for some people that would be a problem, but I trust Coach Bono and his plan. His plan is not just for us to win but he wants to build champions on and off the mat. I believe that with Coach Bono’s help and all the support I have from my family, team, and friends I can and will WIN.

October 20, 2006 by Spencer Grieco (149 lbs, freshman) from Knoxville, TN

What a week! Practice this week was definitely tough, but we needed a tough week. Next weekend is the beginning of competition for the starters on the team and I would have to say that I am really excited.

I feel that I am improving everyday and I know that I am becoming a much tougher wrestler. I believe that by challenging myself this week I have really been able to get my body in the shape it needs to be in.

Coach Bono has been a real driving influence in my time here. I feel he is pushing us along at the pace that we need to be pushed at to succeed in our goals. We all have our own individual goals, and Coach Bono is doing everything he can to help us succeed in achieving them.

As the week draws to a close, I begin to feel more confident that I will make a good showing at our upcoming tournament. I believe that I am wrestling against some of the best in the nation everyday in practice, and it is that thought that increases my confidence in myself.

October 26, 2006 by Michael Keefe (141 lbs, senior, captain) from Ringgold, GA

I have had an incredible journey thus far at UTC, and I am thankful to God and everyone that supports this program for the chance I’ve been given to compete as a UTC wrestler.

This program means a lot to me and many others in the wrestling community, and it saddens me to say that our program has recently lost a very important member of its family, Nancy Noblit. My prayers go out to her family and anyone else that knows her. She was very compassionate about the program and without her and others like her this program would not be here today. I know, personally, that the things she stood for and did will not be in vain. They will only continue to live on through this program in the future.

I have seen some incredible things this year with our team. There is a new attitude and intensity in the room that surpasses anything I have seen in the past four years. There is a great emphasis this year on being a TEAM, and that will be crucial to the success of the individuals that aspire to be great.

The most important thing in wrestling is believing, and the guys are really starting to develop a good system of beliefs. It’s refreshing to finally see people setting their sights on national titles. This season for me will be like no other before it. I have great expectations and will not be satisfied with anything except my best.

I look forward to representing the team and the close-knit family of supporters that I have had the privilege of being a part of.

November 2, 2006 by Pete Miller (141 lbs, sophomore) from Cleveland, TN

It’s that time of year again! Time to put on the sweats and hit the mat or the streets for a good night's run. Time to get up early for a morning workout just so you can get that extra practice in because you know that the first match is just ONE WEEK AWAY!!!

This week is the week many of us have been waiting for our whole lives. For some, this will be their last season as a UTC Moc and for others this will be their first time putting on that blue and gold singlet. This Friday night is the Annual UTC Blue and Gold Wrestling Match! I have the honor of being one of those wrestlers who will be wrestling in the Blue and Gold match Friday night and being able to put on that blue and gold singlet for the first time.

I grew up right down the road and this is such an honor to wrestle for this program because I have been a UTC wrestling fan since I was a little boy. I’ve been coming to UTC wrestling matches for as long as I can remember. I am a second generation UTC wrestler and now it is finally my turn to step out on the mat and represent UTC!

I’m getting to wrestle for a program that many only dream about. This program is second to none. Thanks to Coach Bono, our wonderful booster and “Old Timers” clubs, we are able to have such a program. So come join our wrestling family this Friday night at Maclellan Gym at 6 pm. Get there early and grab a good seat because there’s going to be some exciting matches! This is the beginning to a GREAT SEASON!

November 10, 2006 by Cody Lee Cleveland (141 lbs, sophomore) from Tullahoma, TN

Well, after a very exciting Blue Gold match this past weekend we are preparing to do battle for the first time this year. This Saturday is our first match of the year and it’s at home against Davidson and VA Tech. Everyone is looking forward to getting their hands on some new competition and to show our fans UTC is making leaps towards a national title dream.

Coach Bono is doing a great job in getting us ready for these matches. Thursday in practice he asked why not us? He has strong beliefs that UTC can be a top program every year and the rest of us feel the same way. We know we are working as hard or harder than anyone in the country. Everyone is believing in themselves and we just need a strong fan base to come out and support our dreams.

Personally I have found myself on an entirely new level this year. Though I did not win my wrestle off, I felt good considering I had to take a year off due to injury. I’m excited to be back on the mat preparing for the matches this weekend and even next weekend for the Missouri Open. It’s hard not to get better in a room with so many great wrestlers around my weight to work out with like the Keefe brothers- Keller and Javier.

Last I would just like to thank my parents for supporting me all of these years, and coach for pushing me everyday to help my dream of being a national champ becoming closer to a reality.

November 14, 2006 by Lloyd Rogers (174 lbs, junior) from Palm City, FL

It’s finally that time of year again! Wrestling season is my favorite time of year. I have been waiting too long for this season as I cannot describe in words how excited I am about it. All of the hard work and preparations of all of my previous seasons and this preseason, which started in March because I do not believe in an off season, can finally be put on display.

This preseason involved a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, as does every preseason, but what made this time so special to me is that after talking and working with Coach Bono a lot over the summer, I worked my major kinks out. I am finally wrestling three dimensional, which I believe is the differing factor in my wrestling that will catapult me over everyone else in the nation.

I have never felt so positive about anything in my life as I do about myself this year. I trust in my coaching and my training. No team is out-working the Mocs, and no individual is out-working Lloyd Rogers! Coach Bono knows how to press my buttons and I trust him to the point that if he tells me to do something, then he can consider it done. I am so confident right now in every aspect of my life.

Last weekend we had our first opportunity to display our skills in front of our home crowd at the Maclellan Gym. And as a team we rocked our opponents. It was an unbelievable atmosphere as the fans went wild influencing us to leave it all on the mat. But we cannot be satisfied winning a couple of dual meets early in the year, but rather we must build on our experience and keep on working through the national tournament.

Coach had the film ready to critique on Monday and we need to finely tune some areas and build on others. This weekend we head to the University of Missouri for the Missouri Open. This tournament will be a great opportunity to beat up on some of the elite teams and individuals in the NCAA. I plan on winning. We have a long week with multiple morning workouts. This means that we can really push hard, especially early in the week, because we do not compete until Sunday.

Everyday I walk into the practice room with the intention of breaking my opponent even though he is my teammate and practically family to me. I take on every combat session, takedown, push up, pull up, weight lift, buddy carry, run, or sprint I do as a "national championship." This way when I am in the finals in Detroit this year I will have already been there millions of times before, giving me another mental edge over my opponent.

If I feel that I had just the littlest bit left to give in the practice room, or in any workout situation on any particular day, I will loose sleep over it. Then I’ll have to get out of bed and go run some hills, or hit the heavy bag, or grab a log and do some Stover sets, or just whatever I feel like just so I can sleep with the satisfaction of knowing that no one else in the world did what I did that day.

I believe that championships are won behind closed doors during early mornings and late nights. To me the recipe for success is simple: If you want to be the best, out-work the world! There are no substitutions or corners that can be cut in this sport. Wrestling is a lifestyle and I try not to bring it into my social life too much, but in a way everything I do links to my wrestling and I have dedicated my life to win the National Championship.

There are days when I feel sick or hurt so bad that I can barely walk from class to class. But for whatever reason, no matter how miserable I feel, all of my aches, pains and problems disappear when I get in my battle station and only one thing matters--me winning the National Championship!

Because of my work ethic and steel trap mindset, I know that no one in the world can out-last me if I push the pace of the match to its limits. Every time I step on the mat I need to force the wrestling match into a street fight brawl. If I can do that I will win every time. I am intoxicated with the thrill of victory and must put winning on a level that no one else can understand. The key ingredient for me in my wrestling is to instill fear in my opponents by inflicting both mental and physical pain during matches and dominating every position. I want people to be scared of me before we step foot on the mat. When people hear the word "Chattanooga" I want them to cringe in fear of me. When that day comes I’m going to have some fun.

There is a point in a match when something clicks in my head and I feel unstoppable. To me, there is no better feeling than breaking someone’s mind first. Then when I feel my opponent's body go limp I know that I completely control everything he does. That is the highest of highs to me and that is why I am addicted to wrestling. It is an intense self-satisfaction that I have yet to find anywhere else.

That may make me sound uncouth and barbaric, and I admit that I am, but I take it personal when someone steps up on the opposite side of the mat with me. He is the one who stands in the way of me achieving my dreams and I know for a fact that he has not put forth near the effort that I have. If I can rip his limbs out of his sockets and beat him over his head with them I will and I’ll enjoy it. This is the lifestyle that I have chosen and I refuse to let anything stand in my way.

I do not drink, or smoke, or chase women around all night because I have put my dreams above all that. In today’s world those things are expected to be "the norm." Doing the opposite of what someone else does or expects gives me the advantage. It is like winning a battle every time. This is what I believe and I am going to keep on trucking until it falls into motion.

No matter what, when it is all said and done, I will not have any regrets. All I have ever wanted was the opportunity to be the best--and that opportunity is here and now. I am surrounded by the right people, the right atmosphere and all the right ingredients. I just have to put it all together to win! I’m ready to kick the door down, and like LT used to say for the Giants, go out there like a crazed dog and have some fun!

I know I have been somewhat long-winded here, but this sport means everything to me. I would like to take this time to thank all of the fans, my supporters and the UTC wrestling program. You guys are awesome and we have the opportunity as both individuals and as a team to do something that a school of this size has never done before.

November 27, 2006 by Nick Davis (174 lbs, junior) from Gainsville, FL

The last week of wrestling practice was a pretty difficult week to deal with from the very start. We did not have practice on Monday because we got home on Monday morning at about 6:30, as we were just getting back from the Missouri Open wrestling tournament on Sunday. The tournament was very fun. It was the first time everyone on the team got to participate in a wrestling tournament together and we surprised a lot of people by showing up and dominating most of it. It was very easy to notice that we UTC wrestlers were in much better shape than those from most the other schools competing.

The rest of the week of wrestling just continued to get harder after that.

Tuesday we started the day off with a 6:30 in the morning weightlifting workout and conditioning session, and then another practice at 3:30 that was also quite hard. Wednesday was another "two-a-day," but at least we got to sleep in, because there was no school on the first day of the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday was also a "two-a-day," but we were left a little bit more on our own to prepare for the two dual meets coming up on Saturday even though we pretty much trained through them.

This week of wrestling was a very hard one but a lot of fun and gave everyone time to just think about wrestling and not worry about school as much.

December 3, 2006 by Zach Friedman (141 lbs, junior) from Memphis, TN

We have now concluded another week, which means we are one step closer to our ultimate goal: dominating the national tournament.

After a week of heavy conditioning and strenuous practices last week, Coach Bono backed off a little this week and allowed us to do more of what we felt our body needed to challenge ourselves and feel fresh for wrestling over the weekend.

Practices this week included hard warm-ups, followed by two to three matches. These practices will have everyone prepared for some tough competition this weekend. The starting lineup will be traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the Cliff Keen Invitational. There they will face competitors from some of the toughest teams in the country. A solid finish at this tournament could aid the Mocs in being seeded well at Nationals.

Many of the Mocs who are not going to Las Vegas will be traveling to compete in an open tournament in Davidson, North Carolina. These wrestlers are expected to dominate this tournament.

As the season is really starting to pick up, we plan to continue to work hard to be the toughest, healthiest, and most mentally/physically fit team in the country.

December 14, 2006 by Aaron Martin (149 lbs, senior) from Pataskala, OH

After placing three more people at Las Vegas than last year, we returned tired but ready for more. After this competition we each found areas that we knew we needed to work on. Last week was used mainly for that reason.

It was an off-week for competition, but not an off-week for training. We worked on specific skills and worked hard. Each day you have to think about what your competition might be doing, and then strive to do more. This is what will make you better.

Our conditioning is superb, mainly due to our own hard work ethic and the leadership by our coach. I personally know I'm in better shape now than at the same point last year.

We are developing a reputation among coaches in the NCAA as being "goers." Coaches and competitors know that we will not end until the whistle blows. Many of our matches have been won because of this.

This week we have gotten back to our hard work routine, each of us drilling in areas we need to improve in order to beat our Ohio State man. This is a big match for us. It is a modern day "David and Goliath." We are the small school that not many expect to win--except us. Ohio State has a big, rich program, but we are ready to show everyone what our program is becoming. Coming this Sunday we will show off what we can do!

January 5, 2007 by Seth Garvin (165 lbs, junior) from Hoover, AL

After a disappointing weekend at the Southern Scuffle there is still work to be done. Only six out of nine starters placed. The competition was harsh but nothing that we could not handle. With the Christmas break behind us and our normal routine out of whack, a shallow finish could have been predicted but not expected.

However, we do not have time to pout. We let the losses hurt, learn from our mistakes and let every defeat make us hungrier for the national tournament.

When we got back we had to rededicate ourselves to our wrestling room. Coach Bono brought us back to basics and our normal routine--two days of a healthy dose of running, lifting and wrestling. With seven practices in four days, I believe that we are ready to take to Oregon State and Northern Iowa this weekend.

With Iowa being a second home to Coach Bono, both the team and coach set our expectations higher than normal.

January 18, 2007 by Josh Keefe (133 lbs, senior) from Ringgold, GA

I have recently thought about an aspect of wrestling that many people, including myself, fail to realize.

Throughout the nation wrestlers are training and getting ready for their state or national tournament. In high school, there are fourteen starting wrestlers and in college there are only ten. The average wrestling team usually has more than thirty wrestlers meaning that over half the wrestlers on a team are training while at the same time realizing that they may not compete in a state or national tournament at the end of the season. This factor can make it extremely tough to stay motivated and push yourself if you are one of these people.

I can remember what it was like as a red-shirt in college. Prior to that year I had always loved to push myself above any limit to reach nearly unreachable goals in order to ensure success at the end of the season. Being self-motivated seemed to be natural and hard work was less of an obstacle and more like fun; however, as a red-shirt there was no NCAA tournament for me to train for and I had to find new ways to push myself.

If you find yourself in this position or one similar to it, it’s very important to focus on the big picture. You must remember that the people you will wrestle the following season or possibly that season are training to win a championship and even if you may not wrestle them for another year, do everything in your ability to pass your competition. I have found that no matter how much I think I know, there is always room for improvement both on and off the mat; and that sometimes the only short-cut is to take the long way faster and more determined than your opponents. Great things will happen if you continue to set high goals and remain thankful for every moment that you have to get better. Believing is receiving! Never let others expectations of you change your goals or beliefs in a negative way.

February 9, 2007 by Jake Yost (157 lbs, senior) from Soddy Daisy, TN

The team has been looking good over the past few weeks and it feels like we are getting better and better as the season is coming to an end.

With a very lop-sided win over the Citadel [36-6], Coach Bono gave us a few days break before we head on full force into the last segment of our season. We went back to work on Monday feeling fresh and ready for another tough “training phase" throughout the week. We trained hard this week and I expect us to wrestle very well this weekend.

With a big win over the Citadel’s Travis Piccard, the competitor that beat me in the Conference Finals in 2005, I feel as though I am on track to perform to the best of my abilities in March, when it counts. I felt very confident that I was going to prevail, due to our training and Coach Bono’s and the team’s belief that I could win. Just before I walked out on the mat Coach Bono came over to me and said, "Just have fun." This calmed all my nerves and I was ready to do just that.

For the first time in a long time I truly feel confident when I walk out on the mat and I really believe in myself and my ability to get the job done. This I owe to Coach Bono, our team captain Matt Keller, and my parents who somehow found a way to get through to me and help me get my confidence back.

The transition from coach to coach over the past few years has been hard for me to deal with, and I think it affected my wrestling. I think the Athletic Department has finally gotten the job done and hired a coach that will fit our program well. I was having a hard time believing it at the beginning of the year, but Coach Bono has made a believer out of me. He holds us accountable for everything in our lives, not just wrestling. He teaches us not only how to become better wrestlers but how to become better people.

I am looking forward to a good ending to my 15 year wrestling career this season and I believe our team is going to shock a lot of people come National Tournament time. This program has given a lot to me in 5 long years and I thank everyone who is involved with it. I am eager to watch this program grow under the reins of Chris Bono because they are going to succeed.

February 21, 2007 by TJ Sayers (165 lbs, senior) from Hueytown, AL

After a disappointing weekend of traveling to Missouri only to accept 5 forfeits and wrestle against 3 of their starters, we took Monday off to recover from traveling and went back to work today. We had a really tough run and lift at 6:30 this morning and then came back to battle each other in the practice room at 3:30. I had a really good practice today, which I needed because I did not perform well this weekend.

Our team’s attitude over the past several weeks has been positive and I have seen several guys really start believing in themselves and our team. We really thought we had a legitimate shot of upsetting the 3rd ranked team in the country [Missouri] with all of their starters in the lineup. We understand that they did what they felt like they had to do since they have some illness among their team, but it's still disappointing that we didn’t get to wrestle their starting lineup. Personally, I would have got a shot at the 7th ranked guy in the country and I was really looking forward to wrestling him. These are the matches that I train for all season and I feel like an opportunity slipped away from me and there was nothing I was able to do about it. I especially feel bad fpr some of our fans and parents who made the trip to Columbia, Missouri only to see us wrestle 5 matches, but our fan support is still much appreciated.

For me, this season has been disappointing so far because I have lost several matches that I feel like I could have and should have won. All of the matches I have lost have been close and I feel like I could have represented myself and my team better in all of those matches. I definitely do not feel like I have lost to anyone that is really a better wrestler than me, but I have just made a few dumb mistakes that have cost me. Even in some of the matches I have won, I feel like I could have done a much better job in pushing myself to score more points.

Sunday, for example, I know I could have scored more points but I didn’t “pull the trigger” on my shots like I know I can. Even though I have not wrestled to my ability in a match yet this season, I know that the only thing that matters now are the conference and national tournaments. It is better for me to peak at the national tournament than to peak too early and be flat when it really counts. In the end, I know that the only thing I will judge this season on is how I perform at the national tournament, so that is what all of my focus is on now.

I realize that if I turn my matches into a brawl and push the pace, then my conditioning will take over and help me to score late in matches. I do not want to barely win matches but I want to dominate every person that I wrestle and pushing the pace is the only way I know to do that. I heard a quote the other day that makes me think of the way I want to wrestle:
“I don't want to win unless I know I've done my best, and the only way I know how to do that is to run out front, flat out until I have nothing left. Winning any other way is chicken-s***.”
-- Steve Prefontaine, 1972 USA Olympic runner.

The main reason I know that I am going to be ready for the national tournament is the work ethic in our room. I never have an easy practice because everyone in our room is getting so tough. I know that I have to give 100% every time I step onto the practice mat because nobody in the room will take a back seat to anyone else. I know that if I get to Lloyd Rogers' leg I am in for a fight to get the takedown, and if I don’t get to his leg he will get to mine. And if I do get the takedown I won’t have a moment to rest because he will be fighting to get back up and take me down. The same is true if he gets to my leg or takes me down, then I’ll be ready to fight. I know that if I stop wrestling for half a second I'll be tossed on my head by Kyle Mckee. These are just a few examples, but everyone in our room pushes each other like that, and that is the reason for our continual improvement. Another reason for our improvement is our dedication. We know that we must eat right and be very disciplined if we are going to accomplish our goals.

As a team I believe that we have the opportunity to do great things at nationals. If we can get an upset here and a pin there I believe that we could be in the mix of things when the final team scores are tallied. I believe in each one of my teammates and I believe in this program. I think that in the years to come this program will become a national power (starting at this year’s NCAA tournament) because of the support from our boosters and the dedication of the wrestlers and Coach Bono.

When I first came to UTC and throughout my years here I wondered if I made the right decision coming here to wrestle. I would find myself wondering if it is worth it when I would have to wake up at 5 in the morning and come to a workout. Getting beat up every day at practice and always aching from tough practices over the first few years wore on my mind and it was hard to keep motivated. There are only 4 wrestlers still here from my recruiting class of over 30- Jake Yost, Josh and Michael Keefe, and myself. I know that the four of us have had hard times when we almost left this program for many different reasons, but I think we are all glad that we made it all five years. Now that my time at UTC and my wrestling career are almost over I know without a doubt I made the right decision. No matter how this season ends for me (and I think it's going to end on Saturday night, March 17 in Detroit, Michigan with a W) I will never regret being in this program for the past five years. I have seen many tough wrestlers come and go out of this program over that time. I have trained with and under some of the best wrestlers in the world, not to mention I have met some great people and developed great friendships.

Sorry I have gone on and on here, but I had a lot on my mind tonight. Before I stop though, I want to thank all of the people who have helped me along the way. I thank all of the coaches who have helped me improve every year, especially Coach Brands, Coach Eslinger, and most recently Coach Bono. I also thank all of our boosters and supporters of every kind who help us in any way. This goes without saying, but I thank all of my teammates who have pushed me to become the best I can be over the past five years. Finally, I’d like to thank my parents and grandparents for always supporting me and making it to every match that they possibly could.

PS- It would be great to have as many fans who can make it at conference and nationals!

March 6, 2007 by Kyle McKee (174 lbs, junior) from Loganville, GA

(written before the Southern Conference tournament)

This has been a big week for the Mocs. The season is starting to come to an end and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen. After training all season from early morning runs, long afternoons practices, and many sacrifices on and off the mat, I feel the we have something special this year.

We have taken this past week to make sure everybody is ready for the Southern Conference tournament where we have the opportunity to take all ten wrestler to the National tournament.

As a non-starter it has been my job to make sure that these guys are ready to go, and as each day passes I can see that they are. Each person is hungry for the title and without a doubt has the confidence needed to beat up on everyone in the SoCon. Up and down the line-up the Mocs are as strong of a team as I has ever seen in my three years here and I can’t wait to turn heads in the next three weeks.

I’m proud of these guys for all the accomplishments they have achieved this year. Their accomplishments drive me to work harder each and every day so that I can break into the line-up next year to help build the winning tradition we have started.

March 12, 2007 by TJ Hannah (141 lbs, sophomore) from Arlington, TN

This week was all about preparing for the NCAA tournament. We have just come off sending nine guys to the NCAA tournament and winning the Socon tournament, but we are not satisfied. You can see the hunger in the starters' eyes. We have seniors who know this will be their last tournament. Then there are the other starters who have to prove that they have earned their right to be at the NCAA tournament.

This week we simulated the NCAA tournament. The starters have to get their routine down. Coach Bono this year has really taught us to do everything right and this is what it comes down to. I’m not a starter so I help the competing guys wrestle their best and stay healthy. I look at the seniors like Keller and Keefe and I know that I would give just about anything to be where they are. I also know that the rest of the non-starters are thinking the same thing.

This season I have learned from these starters. Coach Bono pushes us hard and I know that all the hard work will get me to the national tournament. I take pride in being a Moc wrestler. The training I have gotten from the starters and Coach Bono is second to none. This will make me better so that one day I will be a champion.

The starters have given it their all. Seeing their hearts makes me want to make the same sacrifices they have and reap the same rewards. Now is the time that we Mocs must show our dominance. Now we must do everything right.