Hokie ClubFERRUM, Va. -- Fresh off a 4th straight Top-10 finish at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Virginia Tech hauled in the state's top hardware on the 2016 VaSID All-State Team. Zach Epperly earned Wrestler of the Year, David McFadden earned Rookie of the Year, and Kevin Dresser earned Coach of the Year.
Epperly had the ultimate comeback at the NCAA Championship, losing in the first round then rattling off seven straight wins to finish in third place and pick up his second All-America honors. After an injury shortened season, Epperly finished second at the ACC Championships and ended the year with a 17-3 record. Epperly went 17-3 as a redshirt sophomore and recorded 11 bonus victories over the season, with five coming at Nationals and three pins.
McFadden earned All-America honors and finished in sixth place at the 2016 NCAA Championship to cap off an impressive rookie campaign. McFadden’s 26-12 season began with back-to-back upsets in his collegiate dual meet debut. He was a consistent presence in the starting lineup and battled back to finish third at the ACC Championship and earn his first qualifying spot for the NCAA Championship. After losing in the second round at Nationals, McFadden picked up four more victories and earned a sixth place finish, along with All-American status, at his first trip to the championship.
Dresser wrapped up an exciting 2015-16 season with a career dual meet record of 142-50. After back-to-back undefeated league slates, Dresser earned the distinction of becoming the second coach in ACC history to earn four-straight ACC Coach of the Year awards. After leading the team to their highest-ever finish (4th) at the NCAA Championship, Dresser was also honored with the NWCA Coach of the Year trophy, his first. The 2015-16 team broke multiple school records, including highest team finish (4th) and the most All-Americans in a single season (six). This is Dresser's sixth straight Coach of the Year award from the organization.
Joining Epperly and McFadden on the All-State first team were teammates Joey Dance (125), Nick Brascetta (157), Zack Zavatsky (184), Jared Haught (197), and Ty Walz (HWT). The University of Virginia had one first team selection in George DiCamillo (133), and Old Dominion University added a pair of wrestlers in Chris Mecate (141), and Alexander Richardson (149), to round out the first team.
Ferrum College landed three wrestlers on the All-State second team, while The University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University each had two. Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Military Institute each had one selection. The complete team is linked above.
VaSID All-State First Team
125 – Joey Dance, Virginia Tech
133 – George DiCamillo, University of Virginia
141 – Chris Mecate, Old Dominion University
149 – Alexander Richardson, Old Dominion University
157 – Nick Brascetta, Virginia Tech
165 – David McFadden, Virginia Tech
174 – Zach Epperly, Virginia Tech
184 – Zack Zavatsky, Virginia Tech
197 – Jared Haught, Virginia Tech
HWT – Ty Walz, Virginia Tech
VaSID All-State Second Team
125 – Brandon Jeske, Old Dominion University
133 – Zach Bylykbashi, Washington & Lee University
141 – Solomon Chishko, Virginia Tech
149 – Paul Biggs, Ferrum College
157 – Logan Meister, Ferrum College
165 – Shabaka Johns, Virginia Military Institute
174 – Tyler Askey, University of Virginia
184 – Ron Tassoni, Washington & Lee University
197 – Zach Nye, University of Virginia
HWT – Tate Dulany, Ferrum College
Wrestler of the Year
Zach Epperly, Virginia Tech
Rookie of the Year
David McFadden, Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year
Kevin Dresser, Virginia Tech