Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The eighth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team will open its 2013-14 season with a pair of events this weekend at the Salem Civic Center. On Friday, the Hokies will take on Hofstra in a dual meet that starts at 7 p.m. and then on Sunday, the program will host the Hokie Duals and Hokie Open simultaneously on 10 mats inside the Civic Center.
Friday night’s match will feature eight ranked wrestlers (by either Amateur Wrestling News or InterMat) between the two schools. At 141 pounds, third-ranked Devin Carter will debut at his new weight class against 11th-ranked Luke Vaith of Hofstra. At 165 pounds, Hofstra’s Joe Booth is ranked 11th while Tech’s Chris Moon is ranked 16th. Also ranked for Tech are: true freshman Joey Dance (20th at 125 pounds by InterMat), Erik Spjut (16th at 133 pounds by AWN), Zach Neibert (fifth at 149 pounds by AWN, 12th by InterMat) and Austin Gabel (17th at 174 pounds by AWN).
On Sunday, there will be three sets of dual matches on five mats. Tech will take on Kent State (9 a.m.), Chattanooga (11 a.m.) and VMI (1 p.m.). Ten teams total will compete in the dual match portion of the day. Results and more information can be found here.
While the duals are going on, the Hokies will also hope the Hokie Open on another five mats in the same arena.
For more information on the events, as well as ticket pricing and directions, go to www.hokieopen.com. This site will also have live results from the tournament portion of Sunday, as well as final results. Tickets are $15 for audlts, $5 for students for the all-day event.
Here is Tech’s probable lineup for all four dual matches this weekend, as submitted by the coaching staff:
#8 Virginia Tech (0-0)
125: NR/#20 Joey Dance (0-0)
133: #17/NR Erik Spjut (0-0)
141: #3/#3 Devin Carter (0-0)
149: #5/#12 Zach Neibert (0-0)
157: Sal Mastriani (0-0)
165: #16/#16 Chris Moon (0-0)
174: #17/NR Austin Gabel (0-0)
184: Nick Vetterlein (0-0)
197: Chris Penny (0-0)
285: Ty Walz (0-0)
Below is Tech’s probable competitors in the Hokie Open, which will go on at the same time as the Hokie Duals. In the event of an injury to someone in the dual portion, a competitor from the Open could slide over and wrestle in the dual while not dropping out of the Open. Their match would just be delayed to give the proper rest time, if applicable.
125: Tyler Awtry
133: Nick Anderson
133: Dennis Gustafson (unattached)
133: Kevin Norstrem (unattached)
141: Cameron Bowen
141: Gerald Ronnau (unattached)
149: David Wesley (unattached)
157: Nick Brascetta (unattached)
157: Mason Mele
157: Chad Strube
165: David Bergida
174: Zach Epperly (unattached)
174: Brooks Morrison
184: John Dickson
197: Jared Haught (unattached)
197: Henry Mauk
197: David Reck (unattached)
285: Dan Garwood (unattached)
285: Brandon Taylor
285: Dawson Peck (unattached)