Hokies win pool at Virginia Duals with two victories

HAMPTON, Va. - Behind a pair of pins from freshman Zach Epperly, the sixth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team won a pair of matches in pool play at the Virginia Duals Friday, defeating Kent State 29-15 and Arizona State, 25-15 inside the Hampton Coliseum.

For Tech (6-1), Joey Dance, Devin Carter, Epperly and Ty Walz all won both of their matches on the day.

“Overall, we weren’t very good today,” said Tech head coach Kevin Dresser. “We made too many dumb mistakes that cost us at 133 pounds against Kent State and then again at 149 and 197 pounds against Arizona State. We have to come ready to fist fight for as long as it takes.”

With the wins, the Hokies advance to Saturday’s gold pool, where they will take on No. 22 Old Dominion on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the semifinals. Video is available for a fee on FloWrestling and free live stats are available through TrackWrestling. Tech is scheduled to be on Mat 2 once again.

#6 Virginia Tech (5-1) 29, Kent State (4-6) 15
125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Del Vinas, 8-3
133: #13 Mack McGuire (KSU) fall #19 Kevin Norstrem, 4:06
141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall Chance Driscoll, 29-14 (6:06)
149: #14 Sal Mastriani (VT) fall Mike DePalma, 2:05
157: Jake Spengler (VT) dec. Andrew Candiello, 14-7
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) dec. Chad Strube, 7-1
174: #10 Zach Epperly (VT) fall Jerald Spohn, 2:11
184: Austin Gabel (VT) dec. Mike Vollannt, 8-3
197: Cole Baxter (KSU) fall Jared Haught, 1:40
285: #7 Ty Walz (VT) dec. Mimmo Lytle, 5-0

#6 Virginia Tech (6-1) 25, Arizona State (4-4) 15
125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Ares Carpio, 6-3
133: #19 Kevin Norstrem (VT) dec. Judson Preskitt, 5-4
141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) maj. dec. Matt Kraus, 14-4
149: Christian Pagdilao (ASU) dec. #14 Sal Mastriani, 7-2
157: Oliver Pierce (ASU) dec. Jake Spengler, 4-2
165: Chad Strube (VT) fall Jacen Petersen (ASU), 2:28
174: #10 Zach Epperly (VT) fall Ray Waters (ASU), 3:33
184: #2 Blake Stauffer (ASU) dec. Austin Gabel, 3-1
197: Josh DaSilveira (ASU) fall Jared Haught, 5:32
285: #7 Ty Walz (VT) dec. Chace Eskam, 7-6