Hokie ClubCEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Despite falling behind 6-0 early, the sixth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team battled back and won a hard-fought dual match with Northern Iowa Friday night, snapping the Panthers’ 12-match win streak inside West Gymnasium with a 20-12 victory. Tech won six of the 10 matches, but Devin Carter’s technical fall put the Panthers in a precarious position and Tech finished with two strong performances at the end to seal the win.
Northern Iowa jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to two wins at the upper weights. Basil Minto took down Jared Haught in the first sudden victory to win 6-4 and then 15th-ranked Blaize Cabell took down Tech’s Ty Walz, ranked seventh in the country, twice to win 5-3 at heavyweight.
Moving down to 125 pounds, No. 4 Joey Dance narrowly escaped an upset from No. 6 Dylan Peters, but held on for the 5-3 win. Dance got a pair of takedowns, but Peters nearly got a takedown and back points at the end of the third period to not only tie it, but win it. But the referees ruled there was no initial takedown, thus no back points, and upheld the call after a review and Dance’s hand was raised.
At 133 pounds, 18th-ranked Kevin Norstrem used four takedowns to roll past Leighton Gaul 10-5 at 133 pounds and tie the team score up. Carter, ranked third in the country at 141 pounds, then put on a takedown clinic to pick up a 22-7 technical fall at the 4:48 mark. The senior used eight takedowns and two turns to pick up his 108th career win and 51st career dual meet victory to give Tech an 11-6 win.
After a break, 13th-ranked Sal Mastriani got a takedown late in the third period to break a 5-5 tie and hang on for a 7-6 win over Gunnar Wolfensperger at 149 pounds to give the Hokies an eight-point lead. Mastriani controlled the match with three takedowns, but Wolfensperger kept it close down the stretch before Mastriani could ice the win late.
UNI then put up six team points with two wins to make it close. Jake Spengler dropped a 5-0 decision to UNI’s Jarrett Jensen at 157 pounds and then Chad Strube nearly pulled a major upset for the second match in a row, but gave up a takedown with five seconds left as No. 12 Cooper Moore escaped with a 4-3 win at 165 pounds. Strube rode Moore for the entire second period and then escaped to start the third period. Moore got a takedown and then another near the very end to avoid the loss despite giving up the riding time point.
With the Panthers within two and two matches left, the Hokies dropped the hammer with two dominating performances to end it. Zach Epperly, ranked ninth at 184 pounds, took care of business, recording a 6-2 win over Curt Maas and then Austin Gabel left no doubt with a 10-3 victory over Cody Caldwell at 184 pounds. The junior used four takedowns to take the mystery away from the team outcome in front of the packed house.
"That was a good effort in a loud and hot, crackerbox gym," said Tech head coach Kevin Dresser. "We had to fight in all 10 bouts. We have a short turnaround and must prepare for one of the best lineups in the nation at Iowa State on Sunday in Ames. That high ranking means we get everybody's best effort. Sunday won't be any different."
Tech (9-1) will wrap up its trip to the Hawkeye State with a match Sunday against No. 13 Iowa State (5-1) inside Hilton Coliseum at 3 p.m. Eastern. Tech has never beaten the Cyclones in five previous dual matches.
#6 Virginia Tech (9-1) 20, Northern Iowa (6-4) 12
197: Basil Minto (UNI) dec. Jared Haught, 6-4 (SV)
285: #15 Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. #7 Ty Walz, 5-3
125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. #6 Dylan Peters, 5-3
133: #18 Kevin Norstrem (VT) dec. Leighton Gaul, 10-5
141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall Jake Hodges, 22-7 (4:48)
149: #13 Sal Mastriani (VT) dec. Gunnar Wolfensperger, 7-6
157: Jarrett Jensen (UNI) dec. Jake Spengler, 5-0
165: #12 Cooper Moore (UNI) dec. Chad Strube, 4-3
174: #9 Zach Epperly (VT) dec. Curt Maas, 6-2
184: Austin Gabel (VT) dec. Cody Caldwell, 10-3