University of Tennessee at Chattanooga heavyweight Jared Johnson swept weekly honors from the Southern Conference, the league office announced today. He was named the SoCon Wrestler of the Week, as well as the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week, for all competition from Jan. 11-17.
Johnson went 4-0 with a pair of wins over ranked opponents in the Mocs' four matches at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday and Saturday.
The redshirt senior from Jefferson City, Missouri, opened his week with a 9-1 major decision over Old Dominion's Will Hilliard on Friday before earning a 4-1 win over 19th-ranked Ross Larson of Oklahoma later in the day.
Johnson capped the opening day with another ranked win, this time shutting out No. 16 Thomas Haines of Lock Haven, 3-0.
On Saturday, he completed his undefeated week with a 7-2 win over Bucknell's Tyler Greene. For his efforts, Johnson climbed one spot to No. 10 nationally in the latest InterMat heavyweight rankings.
This is Johnson's fourth career SoCon Wrestler of the Week honor. Only Nick Soto (2011-14) and Matt Keller (2005-07), who were honored five times, have more in their career in UTC history.
The SoCon Student-Athlete honor is the second in the last three weeks for Johnson. This award recognizes student-athletes that hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and whose sport is currently in-season. Nominees must have also completed at least one full academic year at their respective institutions.
Johnson is a two-time Academic All-SoCon team member who is currently working on an M.B.A. He was an honors graduate in the Spring of 2016 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a 3.76 GPA. This is his fourth career SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week honor .
Chattanooga (3-7, 1-0 SoCon) returns to the mat Saturday when it travels to Edwardsville, Illinois, for a league dual against SIUE (1-8, 1-1).
2016-17 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 9 - Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Nov. 16 - David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State
Nov. 23 - Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
Dec. 7 - Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Dec. 14 - Jake McKiernan, SIUE
Dec. 21 - Vito Pasone, Appalachian State
Jan. 4 - Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
Jan. 11 - Colby Smith, Appalachian State
Jan. 18 - Jared Johnson, Chattanooga
General Shale SoCon Student-Athletes of the Week
Sept. 7: Frank Lara, Furman, Men's Cross Country
Sept. 14: Jay Broom, VMI, Men's Cross Country
Sept. 21: Tori Penrod, Mercer, Volleyball
Sept. 28: Derrick Craine, Chattanooga, Football
Oct. 5: Anna Maddox, Samford, Women's Soccer
Oct. 12: Maddie Clark, Mercer, Women's Soccer
Oct. 19: Samantha Espy, The Citadel, Volleyball
Oct. 26: Myles Pierce, The Citadel, Football
Nov. 2: David Marvin, Wofford, Football
Nov. 9: Virginia McNeill, Samford, Women's Soccer
Nov. 16: Jajuan Stinson, ETSU, Football
Nov. 30: Sherae Bonner, Western Carolina, Women's Basketball
Dec. 7: Amanda Thompson, Mercer, Women's Basketball
Dec. 14: Ellen Riggins, Samford, Women's Basketball
Dec. 21: Ellen Riggins, Samford, Women's Basketball
Jan. 4: Jared Johnson, Chattanooga, Wrestling
Jan. 11: Lydia McGee, Samford, Women's Basketball
Jan. 4: Jared Johnson, Chattanooga, Wrestling