BLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech wrestling returns to Cassell Coliseum this Saturday for a 7 p.m. matchup with the West Virginia Mountaineers. The dual can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Saturday is the first time the No. 4 Hokies will wrestle in Cassell in the new year. Tech defeated No. 24 Central Michigan 20-16 last week to start off 2020 on the right foot.
Fans joining the Hokies in Cassell Coliseum Saturday night will be treated to a country-themed "Hokie Hoedown." The first 200 fans in Cassell will receive a cowboy boot bottle opener keychain. There will also be a raffle to win a Yeti Roadie 20 cooler.
Prior to the dual, a face painter will be available to fans for free from 6 to 7 p.m. on the Cassell concourse. Since the Hokies are squaring off against the Mountaineers, the Black Diamond Trophy will also be available on the concourse for photos before wrestling gets underway.
No. 4 Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
Date: Saturday, Jan. 11
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Promotion: Hokie Hoedown
Live Stream: ACC Network Extra
Live Updates: @HokiesWrestling
Tech welcomes WVU to Cassell
• Virginia Tech looks to stay undefeated on the season. The Hokies are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in Blacksburg.
• Tech started the season with a 29-10 win in Cassell over No. 9 Missouri and followed that up with a 21-18 win over No. 21 Northwestern at the Mat on the Mounds at English Field at Union Park.
• The Hokies also defeated Chattanooga in Cassell 29-3 on Dec. 21.
Tale of the Tape
• Saturday's dual will be the 23rd time the Hokies and Mountaineers have met on the mat.
• West Virginia holds a 12-10 advantage in the series.
• Virginia Tech has six ranked wrestlers in this week's InterMat poll to West Virginia's one.
• The probable matchup at 197 pounds would be a rematch from the 2019 Southeast Open where Stanley Smeltzer lost a 10-5 decision to WVU's Noah Adams. Adams was ranked 14th at the time, he is now No. 4 in the country.
McFadden one away from Milestone
• Redshirt senior David McFadden is one win away from 100 career wins.
• He would be just the 13th Hokie to ever accomplish this milestone.
• McFadden is 13th on the Virginia Tech career wins list.
• InterMat ranked McFadden fourth in the country at 165 pounds this week.
Hokies in the Rankings
• Virginia Tech was ranked fourth in this week's NWCA Coaches Poll, matching their highest ranking of the season.
• The Hokies have now been ranked in the top five for six straight polls.
• Six Hokies appear in this week's InterMat rankings. No. 2 Hunter Bolen and No. 4 David McFadden lead the way with four others in the top-20.
Tech Beats Another Ranked Opponent
• The Hokies defeated No. 24 Central Michigan 20-16 on Jan. 3 to pick up their fourth win over a ranked opponent this season.
• Tech previously defeated No. 9 Missouri, No. 21 Northwestern and No. 3 Ohio State.
• Virginia Tech is the only team this season with a record of at least 4-0 over ranked opponents.
