"Our goal was to sign the best student-athletes in the southeast," stated Eslinger. "These five student-athletes fit into what we are trying to do academically, athletically and socially at UTC. They are the type of guys we want in our program who can develop into elite level student-athletes and be excellent representatives of the University in the classroom and in the community."
The Mocs signed a pair with local ties in Baylor School products Cole Hayes and Trey Stavrum. Hayes's older brother, Chanse, is currently a freshman on the UTC squad. Levi Clemons will join the Mocs from Kissimmee, Fla., where he finished second in the 2009 Super 32 at 171. Joe DeAngelo, a Mebane, N.C. native, placed fourth at the Super 32 at 125. Joseph Proctor won the Tennessee State title at 160 last season for Cookeville High School in Cookeville, Tenn.
The Mocs have won the last five Southern Conference championships and 24 of the 32 SoCon titles since joining the league in 1978. Eslinger is in his first year as head coach at his alma mater and has Chattanooga off to a 5-5 start against a very demanding schedule. UTC's next home event is Saturday, Jan. 16, hosting top-10 ranked Missouri at Maclellan Gym at 7:00 p.m. (E.S.T.).
Levi Clemons - 174 - Kissimmee, Fla. (Osceola HS)
Four-year letter winner at Osceola High School for head coach Jim Bird...2009 3A state champion as a junior...three-time Orange Belt Conference champion...2008 Most Valuable Wrestler at the Kowboy Kup tournament...150-22 record going into his senior year...three-time district champion and two-time regional champion....Competed in cross country as a sophomore and was a member of the freshman football team...honor roll student... finished fourth in the Greco and third in the freestyle at the 2009 FILA Cadet...2009 SE Regional Double Champion in Greco and Freestyle...2009 Super 32 finalist where he finished second...fifth in the 2008 FILA Cadet Greco...2008 Greco National Champion...2006 Schoolboy Freestyle National Champion...PERSONAL...Full name is Levi Caleb Clemons...son of Ted and Shawn Clemons...born June 11, 1992...has one younger sister, Logan...received recognition from the City of Kissimmee and Osceola County for Individual and Team titles in 2009...earned a proclamation from the City of Kissimmee for his dedication and success in wrestling in 2006.
Joe DeAngelo - 125 - Mebane, N.C. (Southern Alamance HS)
Three-time conference and regional champion heading into his season season at Southern Alamance High School in Alamance, N.C...father, Randy, is the head coach of the Patriots...143-15 career record...three losses in the last two seasons...2nd in the state in 3A as a sophomore and third as a junior...ranked No. 9 in the nation and no. 2 in the southeast...third place at the FILA Cadets in 2009...SE Regional Champion in 2009...fourth place in the Super 32 in 2009...PERSONAL...Full name is Joseph Anthony DeAngelo...born June 10, 1992...son of Mary and Randy DeAngelo...second of six with three brothers and two sisters...father Wrestled and Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa...mother played softball at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y...plans to major in Engineering.
Cole Hayes - 149 - Knoxville, Tenn. (The Baylor School)
Hayes is currently enrolled at The Baylor School where he wrestles for former UTC head coach Jim Morgan...teammate of current UTC signee Trey Stavrum...91-6 over the last two seasons...47-3 as a junior and 44-3 as a sophomore at Knox Catholic where he won the Tennessee State Championship...also earned the Most Team Takedowns and the Knox Catholic Best Wrestler as a sophomore...PERSONAL...Full name is William Cole Hayes...born Feb. 2, 1992...son of Breny and Joeddy Hayes...has one older brother Chanse, who is currently a true freshman on the Mocs' wrestling squad...plans to major in Biology.
Joseph Proctor - 165 - Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville HS)
Proctor is a reigning state champion at Cookeville High School in Cookeville, Tenn...first Cavalier to win a state title and the first wrestler to sign with a Division I program...wrestled for head coach Scott Cook...also a strong tennis player he reached the Class 3A state semifinals in doubles.
Trey Stavrum - 149 - Chattanooga, Tenn. (The Baylor School)
Stavrum is entering his senior year at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he is a teammate of fellow signee Cole Hayes...coached at Baylor by former UTC head coach Jim Morgan...finished sixth in the state championships as a freshman and sophomore and third last season...81-6 overall record and went 26-1 last season...Baylor has won three-straight team duals and two consecutive team traditional state championships...team captain...on the Distinguished Students list...PERSONAL...Full name is Arthur Mark Stavrum...born June 3, 1992...son of Art and Jan Stavrum...has one older sister, Leigh...plans to major in Business.
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