Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Bolstered by the return of national runner-up Devin Carter, the ninth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team steamrolled No. 13 Pitt Friday night inside the Moss Arts Center, winning eight of 10 matches en route to a 26-10 win. It was the first win ever for the Hokies against the Panthers in 12 matches.
Chad Strube got things started with a 6-4 win over Cody Wiercioch at 165 pounds to give Tech the early lead. After being taken down twice, Strube got a takedown at the end of the first period and then rode Wiercioch for the entire second period to pull away for the win.
Zach Epperly, ranked 12th at 174 pounds then pulled off a big upset, beating sixth-ranked Tyler Wilps 3-2. The freshman used a takedown in the second period and held off a late charge on the edge of the mat to pick up the big win. Max Thomusseit, ranked second in the country at 184 pounds, picked up a bonus point for the Panthers with a 10-2 major decision over Austin Gabel.
At 197 pounds, Jared Haught took down 20th-ranked Nick Bonaccorsi less than five seconds into the match and made it hold up, pulling a 3-2 upset to give Tech a five-point lead in the early going. Ty Walz used a takedown in the second period to pick up a 4-2 win over Ryan Solomon at heavyweight.
After the break, fourth-ranked Joey Dance went about his business at 125 pounds, using four takedowns to roll to a 10-3 win over Dom Forys. Kevin Norstrem picked up a big 4-2 win at 133 pounds, picking up a reversal to start the third period to account for the offensive scoring. Carter returned to the mat after missing last weekend with an injury and didn’t miss a beat, cruising to a 21-6 technical fall that ended early in the third period. Mikey Racciato picked up a pin for the Panthers at 149 pounds, downing Brent Waterman.
Nick Brascetta, ranked fifth in the country at 157 pounds, dominated Ronnie Garbinsky with a 12-5 win to set the final score
The win was Tech head coach Kevin Dresser’s 123rd career dual meet win, tying him with Frank Teske for 2nd all-time at Tech.
Tech (11-2, 2-0) will host NC State (14-4, 1-1 ACC) Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Moss Arts Center. Tickets can still be purchased at vthoki.es/moss
#9 Virginia Tech (11-2, 2-0 ACC) 26, #13 Pitt (7-5, 2-2 ACC) 10
165: Chad Strube (VT) dec. Cody Wiercioch, 6-4
174: #12 Zach Epperly (VT) dec. #6 Tyler Wilps, 3-2
184: #2 Max Thomusseit (P) maj. dec. Austin Gabel, 10-2
197: Jared Haught (VT) dec. #20 Nick Bonaccorsi, 3-2
285: #8 Ty Walz (VT) dec. Ryan Solomon, 4-2
125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Dom Forys, 10-3
133: #17 Kevin Norstrem (VT) dec. Nick Zanetta, 3-2
141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall Ben Ross, 21-6 (5:11)
149: #20 Mikey Racciato (P) fall Brent Waterman, 5:30
157: #5 Nick Brascetta (VT) dec. Ronnie Garbinsky, 12-5
Att: 883