Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The sixth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling squad dominated a talented #13 Iowa State squad 32-3 to open the 2015-16 season on Saturday afternoon inside Cassell Coliseum.
Joey Dance kicked things off with a 3-2 decision at 125 pounds. Iowa State got on the board at 133 pounds when eighth-ranked Earl Hall used a takedown in overtime to propel him to a 3-1 win over 19th-ranked Kevin Norstrem.
At 141 pounds, newcomer Solomon Chishko used a beautiful takedown in the second overtime period of the day after fighting off multiple takedown attempts from his opponent, putting Virginia Tech up 6-3.
Sal Mastriani, ranked 12th in the country at 149 pounds, used a takedown in the second period and added another with 40 seconds left in the third period to win 6-2.
At 157 pounds, third-ranked Nick Brascetta made a huge statement in his season opener, racing out to an early lead thanks to four takedowns in the first period. Four more takedowns and riding time put him up 17-6 and the Hokies jumped out to a 13-3 lead.
Freshman David McFadden notched a major win in his collegiate debut, taking down sixth-ranked Tanner Weatherman at 165 pounds. After a scoreless first period, Weatherman took a 1-0 lead with an escape in the second. McFadden added two quick takedowns in the beginning of the third period before dodging a few attempts and riding out the remaining 20 seconds to put Tech up 16-3.
Zach Epperly, fresh off a victory at the NWCA All-Star Classic, closed the first period with a takedown, adding an escape in the second for a 4-1 decision over 17th-ranked Lelund Weatherspoon at 174 pounds.
At 184 pounds, Zack Zavatsky earned a 13-6 decision in his collegiate debut, following a successful redshirt year. Five takedowns and two escapes contributed to a decision that pushed the Virginia Tech lead to 22-3.
A forfeit at 197 gave 17th-ranked Jared Haught six team points, with the Hokies up 28-3 headed into the final event of the night.
Heavyweight Ty Walz, ranked second in the country, struck first with a takedown in the middle of the first period. A monstrous takedown thirty second in to the second period swung all the momentum to Walz, who neared a tech fall in the third period, eventually winning 21-7.
Tech (1-0) will be back in action on Sunday, hosting the annual Hokie Open inside the Rector Field House on campus. Action starts at 10 a.m. and runs throughout the day on 14 mats. Admission is $15 for the day and at the door, only cash will be accepted.
#6 Virginia Tech (1-0) 32; #13 Iowa State (0-1) 3
125: #6 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Nathan Boston (ISU), 3-2
133: #8 Earl Hall (ISU) dec. #19 Kevin Norstrem (VT), 3-1
141: Solomon Chishko (VT) dec. John Meeks (ISU), 3-1
149: #12 Sal Mastriani (VT) dec. Blayne Briceno (ISU), 6-2
157: #3 Nick Brascetta (VT) major dec. Logan Breitenbach (ISU), 17-6
165: Dave McFadden (VT) dec. #6 Tanner Weatherman (ISU), 4-3
174: #3 Zach Epperly (VT) dec. #17 Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU), 4-1
184: Zack Zavatsky (VT) dec. Dane Pestano (ISU), 13-6
197: Jared Haught (VT), won by forfeit
285: #2 Ty Walz (VT) major dec. Quean Smith (ISU), 21-7
Date: Nov. 7, 2015 • Cassell Coliseum • Blacksburg, VA
Referee: Mike McCormick
Attendance: 1,279