BLACKSBURG – Despite two bonus point victories from redshirt freshman Mekhi Lewis at 165 pounds and redshirt senior Zack Zavatsky at 184, No. 10 Virginia Tech couldn't get by 25th-ranked Northwestern on Sunday afternoon as the Wildcats topped the Hokies, 20-16.
The fall at 165 was Lewis' first official pin for the Hokies. Along with Lewis and Zavatsky, Tech (0-2) picked up wins from Korbin Myers at 133 and Tom Sleigh at 197.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
- A takedown late in the second period and riding time helped Myers seal up a tough 6-4 decision that got the Hokies on the board.
- Both B.C. LaPrade at 157 and Cody Hughes at 174 put forth strong efforts against ranked opponents. LaPrade scored two late in the second that made it 9-5 after two against fifth-ranked Ryan Deakin before Deakin pulled away. Hughes, who held No. 4 Daniel Lewis of Mizzou to a decision on Friday, held strong against 13th-ranked Johnny Sebastian.
- Zavatsky's tech fall was the 11th of his career and his 39th career bonus point victory.
- Tom Sleigh's rideout in the second period helped propel him to a gritty 4-2 decision at 197 that closed the gap heading into the final bout.
After Thanksgiving break, the Hokies will travel to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Invitational that runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. In Vegas, Tech will see the return of two-time All-American David McFadden, who spent this past weekend representing the United States at 74 kg on the U23 World Team.
#25 Northwestern 20, #10 Virginia Tech 16
125: #2 Sebastian Rivera (NU) maj. dec. Joey Prata (VT), 19-6 | NU 4, VT 0
133: #16 Korbin Myers (VT) dec. Colin Valdiviez (NU), 6-4 | NU 4, VT 3
141: Yahya Thomas (NU) dec. Mitch Moore (VT), 2-1 | NU 7, VT 3
149: Shayne Oster (NU) dec. #13 Ryan Blees (VT), 8-7 (TB-1) | NU 10, VT 3
157: #5 Ryan Deakin (NU) dec. B.C. LaPrade (VT), 14-7 | NU 13, VT 3
165: #12 Mekhi Lewis (VT) Fall Anthony Petrone (NU), 3:55 | NU 13, VT 9
174: #13 Johnny Sebastian (NU) dec. Cody Hughes (VT), 6-1 | NU 16, VT 9
184: #5 Zack Zavatsky (VT) Tech. Fall Brendan Devine (NU), 24-9 (5:50) | NU 16, VT 14
197: #17 Tom Sleigh (VT) dec. Zack Chakonis (NU), 4-2 | NU 16, VT 16
One point deduction assessed to Virginia Tech bench during 197 bout
285: #11 Conan Jennings (NU) maj. dec. John Borst (VT), 12-0 | NU 20, VT 16
BOLEN WINS TITLE AT WOLFPACK OPEN
Competing unattached for the Hokies, sophomore Hunter Bolen went 4-0 to win the 184-pound title at the Wolfpack Open on Sunday. All four of his victories went for bonus points. He defeated Queens University's Noah Curreri by tech fall, 17-0, in the finals.
Freshman Collin Geradi reached the third place bout and took third as part of a 3-2 showing at 133 pounds.