University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling head coach Kyle Ruschell signed his first recruiting class for the Mocs this week. This group joins the program in the fall of 2019 and includes Logan Andrew (197 – Winter Park, Fla.), Grant Lundy (141 – Ooltewah, Tenn.), Jacob Mariakas (157 – Ringgold, Ga.) and Weston Wichman (157 – Johnson Creek, Wisc.).
Andrew comes to UTC from Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, where he competed for head coach Mike Palazzo. Andrew posted a 40-9 mark as a junior, winning the state title with an undefeated mark in Florida competition.
“Logan will be an awesome addition to our upper weights,” stated Ruschell. “He comes from powerhouse program out of Florida that travels around the country for competition so we know that he is battle-tested. Wrestling is extremely important to Logan. We look forward to the impact he will have here at Chattanooga.”
Lundy posted a 37-1 record as a junior at Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tenn. He competed for head coach and former Moc Joey Knox and plans to major in Physical Therapy.
“Lundy is a local kid that is dedicated to wrestling and his academics,” said Rushcell. “He will also continue to add depth to our middle weights. We know Grant will have a great attitude, work ethic and passion every day. We love this pick-up for the team.”
Mariakas is a two-time Georgia state champion from nearby Ridgeland High School in Ringgold, Ga., competing for coaches Keith and Joshua Mariakis. He has earned All-American honors at the FloNationals and the NHSCA, was the 2018 Walker County Wrestler of the Year and a member of the Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps team.
“Jacob brings the mentality and work ethic we look for in all of our athletes,’ explained Rushcell. “He is the definition of consistency and will be an excellent addition to the middle weights. He has a bright future ahead of him here, and we are excited about what he has to offer our program.”
Rounding out the early signing period is Wichman, a three-time state qualifier from Johnson Creek High School in Johnson Creek, Wisc. There he wrestled for Matt Dresel and Marcus Novak. Wichman was a three-time regional champion who finished fourth in the state as a senior and runner-up as a freshman.
“Weston comes from a nationally-known and respected wrestling club in Wisconsin, Askren Wrestling Academy,” added Rushcell. “We know Weston has high expectations as an athlete with the mentality of winning and becoming an All-American.”
