Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling returns home to Blacksburg for the last time this season when it faces off against Duke Saturday night at the Moss Arts Center.
Saturday's dual will be Senior Night as Tech honors six Hokies who have given everything to the program over the last several years. Fans are asked to be in their seats for the 6 p.m. dual by 5:30 p.m. for the Senior Night ceremony.
SENIORS
Cody Hughes
B.C. LaPrade
Dom Latona
David McFadden
Ryan More
Joey Prata
#7 Virginia Tech vs. Duke
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8
Time: 6 p.m.
Promotion: Senior Night
Stream: ACC Network Extra
Live Updates: @HokiesWrestling
Virginia Tech hosts Duke in last home dual of season
- The Hokies will meet the Blue Devils on the mat for the 43rd time. Virginia Tech is 29-12-1 against Duke all-time.
- No. 7 Tech enters Saturday night with a 10-1 record in duals this season, 1-1 in ACC play. Duke is 0-13 on the year, 0-2 in the ACC.
- The Hokies took the last meeting between the teams last season 40-3 in Durham, N.C.
- Virginia Tech is 4-1 in Blacksburg this season and 1-0 outside Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies defeated Northwestern 21-18 in the Mat on the Mound at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park earlier this season.
Hokies in the Rankings
- Virginia Tech checked in at No. 7 on the NWCA Coaches Poll this week. It marks the 10th-straight poll that the Hokies have been in the top 10.
- Redshirt sophomore Hunter Bolen remains the second-ranked 184-pounder in the country with a 21-1 record this season. No. 6 David McFadden is the other Hokie ranked in the top 10 this week.
- Joey Prata and B.C. LaPrade both check in at No. 16 at 125 pounds and 157 pounds, respectively, while Mitch Moore and John Borst round out the top-20 at No. 19 in 141 pounds and heavyweight.
Last time at home for Seniors
- Saturday night will mark the last time the program's seniors will wrestle in Blacksburg.
- Redshirt senior David McFadden leaves his mark on the Virginia Tech wrestling team as he became the 13th Hokie to reach 100 career wins earlier this year. The three-time All-American has a chance to be Tech's first four-time All-American in March.
- Both Joey Prata and B.C LaPrade have started for the Hokies for multiple years. LaPrade was an NCAA qualifier last season, and he started in the ACC Championships as a redshirt freshman. He'll leave Blacksburg with over 40 career wins. Prata, in his second year as a starter, has been ranked for the majority of the year after starting at ACCs last season. Prata won his 30th career match against Cornell.
- Cody Hughes has made the most of his first year in the starting lineup. Ranked 33rd by the NWCA Coaches Panel, Hughes is 11-8 on the season and 7-4 in dual matches.
- Dom Latona will leave Blacksburg with over 25 career wins. Latona won the 141-pound title at the Appalachian State Open this year.
- Ryan More has started in three duals for the Hokies, all of which have been conference matches. The 125-pounder majoring in computer science has won seven matches in open tournaments.
Hokies sweep in-state weekend
- Needing a bounce back after the home defeat to North Carolina, Virginia Tech won their Commonwealth Clash against Virginia 20-16 in Charlottesville.
- Tech followed that up with a 23-9 victory over Old Dominion in Norfolk two days later.
- Mitch Moore, David McFadden, Cody Hughes and Hunter Bolen each went 2-0 to help the Hokies to two straight dual wins, including their first ACC win of the year.
- Virginia Tech will look to get above .500 in ACC play this year with a win over the Duke Blue Devils Saturday night.