BLACKSBURG – After starting the season 5-0, Virginia Tech wrestling will receive a test this weekend with back-to-back road duals in North Carolina, facing Duke Friday at 5 p.m. and North Carolina Saturday at 3 p.m.
The No. 14 Tar Heels will be the No. 8 Hokies' first ranked matchup of the season. Last year, Tech went 5-3 against ranked opponents.
Both duals can be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.
HOKIES VS. BLUE DEVILS
- The Hokies are 31-12-1 all-time against the Blue Devils and are currently on a 16-match win streak against Duke. The last time the Blue Devils took down the Hokies was Jan. 11, 1999 in Blacksburg. The last time the Hokies lost in Durham was Feb. 29, 1992.
- Tech has six ranked wrestlers according to InterMat to the Blue Devils' two, including No. 1 Mekhi Lewis, No. 2 Hunter Bolen and No. 8 Korbin Myers, with a potential ranked matchup at 149 pounds between No. 12 Bryce Andonian and No. 19 Josh Finesilver.
- The Hokies, 1-0 ACC this season, look to stay unbeaten in conference play vs. Duke, who is 0-2 in the ACC on the year.
- Tech is No. 8 in the NWCA Coaches Poll for the fifth straight week after opening the season with the ranking.
HOKIES VS. TAR HEELS
- Tech is 39-31-2 all-time against North Carolina, but are on a two-match skid vs. the Tar Heels. The Hokies last beat UNC on Feb. 3, 2018 in Blacksburg and the last time they won in Chapel Hill was Jan. 8, 2017.
- Tech's six ranked wrestlers match UNC's six and there is a potential of four ranked matchups at 133 pounds, 149 pounds, 165 pounds and 184 pounds.
- The No. 14 Tar Heels are the first ranked test for the No. 8 Hokies. Last season, Tech went 5-3 against ranked opponents.
KEY MATCHUPS
- Vs. Duke, there is potential for one ranked matchup Friday night. At 149 pounds, No. 12 Bryce Andonian could see No. 19 Josh Finesilver. Andonian is 4-0 on the season, with all four matches coming in duals, and three of his four wins have been bonus-point victories.
- Against North Carolina Saturday afternoon, there could be four ranked matchups. Andonian again could be in the mix against No. 1 Austin O'Connor in a rematch of the 2020 149-pound ACC Championship.
- No. 8 Korbin Myers could see No. 11 Jaime Hernandez at 133 pounds. Myers is 4-0 on the season and, last week, defeated No. 12 Louie Hayes of Virginia 12-1.
- At 165 pounds, No. 1 Mekhi Lewis may face off with No. 8 Kennedy Monday in the biggest matchup of the weekend. Lewis is on a 24-match winning streak with his last loss coming on Dec. 1, 2018.
- No. 2 Hunter Bolen may face his first ranked test of the season in No. 15 Clay Lautt. Bolen is 4-0 with a major decision and a technical fall.