Niceville, FL – No. 8 Virginia Tech (4-2, 0-0 ACC) went 1-1 on the first day of competition in Niceville. The Hokies dispatched their first opponent of the day in Hofstra 35-3 led by bonus point victories from No. 16 Sam Latona, No. 4 Korbin Myers and No. 4 Mekhi Lewis. Tech fell to No. 6 Arizona State in the second match of the day, 23-13.
The Hokies will meet No. 11 Cornell tomorrow for the third & fourth place match to wrap up the Collegiate Wrestling Duals. Cornell fields eight ranked wrestlers – No. 5 Vito Arujau (133), No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis (149), No. 25 Colton Yapoujian (157), No. 10 Julian Ramirez (165), No. 11 Chris Foca (174), No. 15 Jonathan Loew (184), No. 19 Jacob Cardenas (197), No. 18 Lewis Fernandes (HWT).
Match Notes
125 – No. 16 Sam Latona broke his skid with a major decision victory over Jacob Moon (HOF) in the opening bout of the day with dominant pace and relentless takedowns throughout the match. The 2021 All-American then faced 2021 NCAA finalist, No. 3 Brandon Courtney (ASU) in the second match. Latona pushed the action but couldn't close the distance and score as the dropped the bout 8-4.
133 – Ranked No. 3 in the country, Korbin Myers secured three takedowns and nearfall to pick up the 18-2 tech fall over Ty Cymmerman (HOF) for this 99th career victory in dominant fashion. Myers then hit a barnburner against ASU's No. 14 Michael McGee. Myers down 8-7 in the final seconds, Myers was in on a low single but time expired as the scramble ensued.
141 – Collin Gerardi put on another 4-1 gritty performance over Justin Hoyle (HOF) to start his day courtesy of a takedown, escape, and third period rideout. Gerardi then met ASU's Jesse Vasquez, ranked No. 15 in the country. Gerardi trailed early and mounted a comeback but ultimately fell 9-7.
149 – Freshman Kylan Montgomery filled in for junior Bryce Andonian, wrestling tough but going 0-2 against Michael Leandrou (HOF) via decision and major decision to No. 5 Kyle Parco (ASU). Montgomery stands at 1-2 on the season.
157 – No. 22 Connor Brady split matches today, controlling the first match against Joseph McGinty (HOF) adding two takedowns, escape, and riding point to seal the victory. Brady then pushed No. 3 Jacori Teemer (ASU) to the brink before being countered on the edge in sudden victory to drop a 3-1 decision.
165 – Clayton Ulrey had a quick first match, winning by fall over Mario Biancamano (HOF) in just 0:51 into the match. Ulrey went high crotch right into a turk on the landing to pin Biancamano to add to the bonus point count for the Hokies. Ulrey met No. 6 Anthony Valencia (ASU) next, wrestling the full seven minutes with Valencia holding on for the close 11-9 decision.
174 – No. 4 Mekhi Lewis put on a scoring clinic, racking up a total of 35 points in two matches. The 2019 national champion picked up two tech falls on the day – 16-0 over Ericson Velesquez in 3:10 and 19-3 over Ryan Rochford. The two wins pushes Lewis' season record to 9-0.
184 – Hunter Bolen picked up another ranked victory to boost his resume with a win over No. 20 Charles Small (HOF) via two takedowns, riding time point, and an escape. The No. 9 ranked wrestler in the country then put up 20 points to secure the tech fall over Josh Nummer (ASU) in his second bout of the day.
197 – Dakota Howard pulled off an upset over No. 26 Trey Rogers (HOF) in a barnburner that came down to the final seconds. Howard strung together two takedowns and one escape to pull out the victory. Howard then fell to No. 8 Kendall Norfleet via major decision, 14-3 to finish out his day.
285 – No. 14 Nathan Traxler finished off the day going 2-0, securing another ranked victory to his name. Traxler decisioned No. 20 Zachary Knighton-Ward via takedown and nearfall to pick up the 7-1 victory. Traxler then picked up an 8-1 decision over Chad Porter (ASU) to close out the dual and end the day of competition for the Hokies.
Box Score
No. 8 Virginia Tech – 35, Hofstra – 3
125 – No. 16 Sam Latona (VT) MAJ DEC Jacob Moon (HOF), 11-2
133 – No. 4 Korbin Myers (VT) TECH FALL Ty Cymmerman (HOF), 18-2
141 – Collin Gerardi (VT) DEC Justin Hoyle (HOF), 4-1
149 – Michael Leandrou (HOF) DEC Kylan Montgomery (VT), 3-1
157 – No. 22 Connor Brady (VT) DEC Joseph McGinty (HOF), 6-3
165 – Clayton Ulrey (VT) FALL Mario Biancamano (HOF), 0:51
174 – No. 4 Mekhi Lewis (VT) TECH FALL Ericson Velesquez (HOF), 16-0, 3:10
184 – No. 9 Hunter Bolen (VT) DEC No. 25 Charles Small (HOF), 6-3
197 – Dakota Howard (VT) DEC No. 26 Trey Rogers (HOF), 5-3
285 – No. 14 Nathan Traxler (VT) DEC No. 20 Zachary Knighton-Ward (HOF), 7-1
No. 8 Virginia Tech – 13, No. 6 Arizona State – 23
125 – No. 3 Brandon Courtney (ASU) DEC No. 16 Sam Latona (VT), 8-4
133 – No. 14 Michael McGee (ASU) DEC No. 4 Korbin Myers (VT), 8-7
141 – No. 15 Jesse Vasquez (ASU) DEC Collin Gerardi (VT), 9-7
149 – No. 5 Kyle Parco (ASU) MAJ DEC Kylan Montgomery (VT), 14-1
157 – No. 3 Jacori Teemer (ASU) DEC No. 22 Connor Brady (VT), 3-1 SV
165 – No. 6 Anthony Valencia (ASU) DEC Clayton Ulrey (VT), 11-9
174 – No. 4 Mekhi Lewis (VT) TECH FALL Ryan Rochford (ASU), 19-3, 5:31
184 – No. 9 Hunter Bolen (VT) TECH FALL Josh Nummer (ASU), 20-2, 4:24
197 – No. 8 Kendall Norfleet (ASU) MAJ DEC Dakota Howard (VT), 14-3
285 – No. 14 Nathan Traxler (VT) DEC Chad Porter (ASU), 8-1