BLACKSBURG – Despite winning five of the 10 bouts, No. 14 Virginia Tech couldn't get by 10th-ranked NC State as the Wolfpack topped the Hokies on criteria, 17-16, in front of 4,197 in Cassell Coliseum on Friday evening.
For the second time in two weeks, the Hokies fell on criteria 3.15.3, total match points scored only from decisions, major decisions and technical falls, this time by a score of 52-47. With the win, the Wolfpack clinched a share of the ACC Dual Meet Championship with North Carolina. It marked the fifth consecutive season that at least a share of the ACC regular season title was claimed by either NC State or Virginia Tech.
The Hokies will look to bounce back in two weeks as they host the 2019 ACC Championships in Cassell Coliseum on Saturday, March 9.
(2/22/2019) 2019 WRESTLING SENIOR NIGHT
MATCH NOTES
- The Hokies finish the dual meet season with a 9-5 overall record and a 3-2 mark in ACC duals.
- Tech is now 0-2 in matches decided on by criteria this season after falling to ninth-ranked Cornell, 17-16, on third criteria last week.
- Friday saw the final matches in Cassell for seniors Ryan Blees, Zack Zavatsky, Tom Sleigh and Billy Miller.
- Three of the four seniors earned victories with Billy Miller winning a 10-2 major decision at heavyweight.
- Zavatsky's 6-2 decision over third-ranked Nick Reenan at 184 pounds was his 103rd career.
- Zavatsky finishes his career with a record of 60-5 in duals, a winning percentage that ranks sixth all-time in program history.
- At 157 pounds, B.C. LaPrade had fourth-ranked Hayden Hidlay on the ropes but Hidlay clinched a 6-4 decision on a last second takedown at the buzzer that put the Wolfpack ahead 16-10 in the dual.
- Tom Sleigh's 3-2 decision at 197 was his 108th career win and 50th dual meet victory
NO. 10 NC STATE 17, NO. 14 VIRGINIA TECH 16
184: #5 Zack Zavatsky dec. #4 Nick Reenan, 6-2
197: #9 Tom Sleigh dec. Malik McDonald, 3-2
285: #20 Billy Miller MD Colin Lawler, 10-2
125: #11 Sean Fausz MD Joey Prata, 11-0
133: #7 Tariq Wilson dec. #14 Korbin Myers, 6-1
141: Jamel Morris dec. Mitch Moore, 4-0
149: #8 Justin Oliver dec. Ryan Blees, 6-3
157: #4 Hayden Hidlay dec. B.C. LaPrade, 6-4
165: #8 Mekhi Lewis dec. Thomas Bullard, 11-5
174: #7 David McFadden dec. Daniel Bullard, 9-8