UTC Wrestlers Earn SoCon Regular Season Championship With Win Over Bellarmine

Mocs win 8 of 10 bouts, including final 6, to clinch 18th conference title

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Chattanooga Mocs wrestling team earned their 18th Southern Conference regular season championship with a 26-9 victory over Bellarmine. The Mocs won 8 of the 10 bouts, including the final 6, to pull away for the impressive road triumph in the regular season finale.

Why it matters

Chattanooga's wrestling program has a storied history, with this being their 18th SoCon regular season title. The win caps off another successful campaign for the Mocs, who now turn their attention to the postseason conference tournament and a potential NCAA Championship run.

The details

The match was close early, with Bellarmine taking a 9-6 lead after 4 bouts. But Chattanooga responded by winning the final 6 matches, including major decisions from true freshman Kade Rule and Cooper Flynn, to pull away for the 26-9 victory. Ethan Uhorchuk and Hunter Mason, both ranked wrestlers, also picked up key wins for the Mocs.

  • The match took place on February 22, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Chattanooga finished the regular season with a 10-5 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SoCon duals.

The players

Chattanooga Mocs

The wrestling team from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, who have now won 18 Southern Conference regular season championships.

Bellarmine

The wrestling team from Bellarmine University, who fell to 7-8 overall and 4-4 in SoCon duals with the loss.

Kyle Ruschell

The head coach of the Chattanooga Mocs wrestling team, who earned another regular season conference title.

Kade Rule

A true freshman wrestler for Chattanooga who picked up a dominant 10-1 major decision victory.

Ethan Uhorchuk

A ranked wrestler for Chattanooga who clinched the match with a sudden victory decision over the 20th-ranked Trayce Eckman of Bellarmine.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think we wrestled poorly against The Citadel. We just didn't execute and get all the points we could. I think from then on, we kind of understood that when we're in on a leg, it might be the only good chance we have to score. I think from then on, you kind of saw our guys wrestle differently through the whole match. It's great to finish the regular season this way, but now it's postseason, and that's the most important thing for some of these guys.”

— Kyle Ruschell, Head Coach (chattanoogan.com)

“The team needed some extra points. I got to my offense and got the major for the team.”

— Kade Rule, True Freshman (chattanoogan.com)

“It's been a long time since we've been in this position. I'm just happy for our guys and the alumni. It's been a long time coming.”

— Kyle Ruschell, Head Coach (chattanoogan.com)

What’s next

The Chattanooga Mocs will now turn their attention to the Southern Conference Championships on March 6-7 in Asheville, North Carolina. A strong performance there could earn them a spot in the NCAA Championships on March 19-21 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The takeaway

Chattanooga's wrestling program continues to be a powerhouse in the Southern Conference, clinching their 18th regular season title. The Mocs' ability to rally and win 6 straight matches to pull away for the victory showcases the depth and talent of this year's squad as they set their sights on postseason glory.