Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. – The eighth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team completed back-to-back undefeated seasons against ACC competition on Saturday, downing Duke 31-9 to close regular season competition.
No. 3 Joey Dance was the first to put points on the board for the Hokies, winning a 15-5 major decision over Thayer Atkins. After a forfeit at 133 pounds by Duke, Tech led 10-0 through two weight classes.
Tech would win six bouts on the afternoon, including a 12-7 decision from No. 4 Nick Brascetta. Five different Tech grapplers earned bonus victories over the Blue Devils, with major decisions from Dance, Solomon Chishko, Zack Zavatsky and Ty Walz and a pinfall for Zach Epperly.
The Hokies will learn their fate in the National Duals later this weekend, earning one of the eight spots to compete at various Big Ten campuses as part of the postseason series. Tech will face the rest of the ACC again on March 6th for the ACC Championship.
Hokie Highlights
· The Hokies completed back-to-back undefeated ACC campaigns with this weekend’s wins over then-undefeated NC State and Duke.
· Epperly’s fall was his third in 2016 and second in the month of February
#8 Virginia Tech 31, Duke 9
125: No. 3 Joey Dance MD Thayer Atkins, 15-5
133: Dennis Gustafson vs. FORFEIT
141: No. 8 Solomon Chishko MD Zach Finesilver, 16-5
149: No. 10 Mitch Finesilver dec. Sal Mastriani, 6-2
157: No. 4 Nick Brascetta dec. Connor Bass, 12-7
165: David Faust dec. No. 10 David McFadden, 14-10
174: No. 3 Zach Epperly FALL Brian Dorsey, 6:00
184: No. 7 Zack Zavatsky MD Trey Adamson, 17-3
197: No. 5 Connor Hartmann dec. No. 7 Jared Haught, 2-0
HWT: No. 3 Ty Walz MD Brendan Walsh, 18-5