BLACKSBURG – After clinching at least a share of the ACC Dual Meet Championship with its win over NC State, Virginia Tech wrestling can hold sole possession of the title with a win Friday night vs. No. 16 Pitt. The dual will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
Virginia Tech moved up to No. 4 in the country in the NWCA Coaches Poll, after taking down then-No. 3 NC State. This marks the Hokies' highest ranking of the season after holding down No. 8 since the preseason. The No. 4 ranking is Tech's highest since Jan. 21, 2020 when it was ranked No. 3 by the NWCA.
The Hokies (8-0, 4-0 ACC) will see the Panthers (3-3, 1-3 ACC) for their final dual of the season in Cassell Coliseum. To follow the public health guidelines and ensure the safety of Virginia Tech's student-athletes, staff and fans, wrestling will compete without fans in attendance until further notice. Only essential staff and family members of the student-athletes will be allowed in attendance.
HOKIES VS. PANTHERS
- This is the 18th meeting between Virginia Tech and Pitt on the mat. Pitt leads the all-time series 12-5.
- Last time the Hokies beat the Panthers was Jan. 25, 2019 in Blacksburg before Pitt got the better of last season's matchup, winning 18-13 in Pittsburgh.
- The Hokies are 3-3 against Pitt all-time in Blacksburg.
- This season, Tech is 8-0, 4-0 in the ACC while Pitt is 3-3, 1-3 ACC.
DUAL MEET CHAMPS
- With the thrilling victory over the Wolfpack last Friday, Virginia Tech clinched at least a share of the ACC Dual Meet Championship. The Hokies can claim the trophy outright with a win vs. the Panthers.
- This is the fourth time Tech has had at least a share of the title, after three-peating from the 2014-15 season through the 2016-17 season.
- Including the ACC Tournament championships, this is the eighth team title for the Hokies since joining the conference.
LATONA ACC WOTW AGAIN
- After his upset victory over No. 4 Jakob Camacho to steal the night for the Hokies, Sam Latona has been named the ACC Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.
- This is the second time this season Latona has been named ACC Wrestler of the Week, the only wrestler in the conference to do so. Latona is ranked No. 5 by InterMat and No. 2 by FloWrestling at 125 pounds. He also was named The Open Mat's College Wrestler of the Week Monday.
- With Latona's distinction, a Virginia Tech wrestler has now won the award a league-leading three times, with Latona winning two and Dakota Howard winning once.
- Howard won the award last week and the Hokies are the only team to claim the honor in two consecutive weeks this season.
UNDEFEATED SEASON ON LINE
- A win over the Panthers Friday night would secure an undefeated regular season for the Hokies at 9-0. It would be just the seventh time in program history that the team finished competition without a defeat, first since the 1956-57 season.
- At 9-0, this would be the longest undefeated season in school history after the 1954-55 team went a perfect 8-0.
- Head coach Tony Robie would be just the fourth coach in program history to accomplish an undefeated season joining Frank Teske, George Herring and S.B. Sutton.
CONFERENCE SWEEPS
- With wins Friday night, four Hokie starters could complete the ACC schedule without a loss: Hunter Bolen, Sam Latona, Mekhi Lewis and Korbin Myers.
- Bolen and Lewis would be the only two Hokies to earn a victory over every team at 5-0. Lewis has never lost an ACC match in his career at 9-0.
LEWIS FACES TOP-10 TEST
- No. 1 Mekhi Lewis will see his second top-10 matchup of the season if he and Pitt's 10th-ranked Jake Wentzel meet Friday night.
- The redshirt sophomore is 3-0 against ranked opponents this season, including 1-0 against top-10 opponents with a 4-3 decision win over then-No. 8 Kennedy Monday of North Carolina.
- Lewis has won 27 straight collegiate matches and is undefeated all-time vs. ACC opponents.