DURHAM, N.C. – After opening the ACC season with a win last week, Virginia Tech wrestling took care of business Friday night, beating Duke 42-3 in the first leg of back-to-back ACC road duals.
The No. 8 Hokies (6-0, 2-0 ACC) won nine of the 10 matches, including six bonus-point wins. Bryce Andonian, Mekhi Lewis and Stan Smeltzer all registered falls, Hunter Catka won via technical fall and Collin Gerardi had a major decision. Hunter Bolen won via forfeit.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
- Catka started the dual off with a technical fall victory over Jonah Niesenbaum for his first career ACC dual win. The freshman used three near falls, including two four-pointers, to end the match early. Catka is now 4-1 on the season and 3-1 in dual matches.
- Brandon Wittenberg picked up his first career win Friday night with a 5-3 decision over Drake Doolittle. The redshirt freshman had two third-period takedowns to seal the victory for the Hokies.
- In the biggest matchup of the night, No. 12 Andonian pinned No. 19 Josh Finesilver in just 1:02. Andonian moves to 5-0 on the season with two pins and two major decisions, outscoring his opponents 23-0.
- Connor Brady won his first career ACC dual match with a 9-3 decision over Brandon LaRue. The Ohio native had three takedowns and a reversal throughout the match and added the riding time point.
- No. 1 Lewis did not take long to pick up his 25th straight NCAA victory. The reigning 165-pound national champion secured the fastest Hokie pin of the season, taking just 34 seconds to record the fall.
BOX SCORE
#8 Virginia Tech 42, Duke 3
285: Hunter Catka (VT) TF Jonah Niesenbaum (DUKE), 18-1 (5:45)
125: Joey Prata (VT) dec. Logan Agin (DUKE), 3-2
133: Brandon Wittenberg (VT) dec. Drake Doolittle (DUKE), 5-3
141: Collin Gerardi (VT) MD Patrick Rowland (DUKE), 10-2
149: #12 Bryce Andonian (VT) WBF #19 Josh Finesilver (DUKE), 1:02
157: Connor Brady (VT) dec. Brandon LaRue (DUKE), 9-3
165: #1 Mekhi Lewis (VT) WBF Eric Carter (DUKE), 0:34
174: Conor Becker (DUKE) dec. Sam Fisher (VT), 10-7
184: #2 Hunter Bolen (VT) wins via forfeit
197: Stan Smeltzer (VT) WBF Kaden Russell (DUKE), 1:06
Extra Matches
157: Clayton Ulrey (VT) MD Bryson Neace (DUKE), 16-5
UP NEXT
The Hokies will stay in North Carolina tonight and travel to Chapel Hill to take on No. 14 North Carolina Saturday at 3 p.m. on the ACC Network Extra. The Tar Heels will be Tech's first ranked test of the season after the Hokies went 5-3 vs. ranked opponents a season ago.Gallery: (1-29-2021) 2021 WRESTLING at DUKE