Hokie ClubColumbia – The No. 10 nationally-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies picked up two wins on Saturday over No. 3 Mizzou Tigers and No. 17 UNI Panthers to complete a perfect weekend in Columbia, MO.
In another week of wrestling more nationally ranked opposition, the Hokies (3-1, 0-0 ACC) secured two huge victories on the road against two top-17 programs, dismantling No. 17 UNI 39-3 and No. 3 Mizzou 18-16. Tech handily secured the win over UNI, led by four pins in the dual; Mizzou posed more of a battle as the dual came down to the last bout of the night.
The Hokies head to Niceville, Florida next for the Journeymen Collegiate Duals on December 20-21.
Match Notes
- No. 12 Sam Latona faced two top-20 opponents, dropping a close decision in the waning seconds to No. 11 Brody Teske. The two battled back and forth throughout the bout with the score tied into the final :13 before Teske countered a Latona shot to score points of his own. Latona next faced No. 18 Noah Surtin of Mizzou in the second dual of the day. Latona got caught in a scramble that saw him suffer a fall to end his day. The 2021 All-American stands at 3-4 on the season.
- No. 4 Korbin Myers went 2-0 in Columbia, first picking up a 6-4 SV over Kyle Biscoglia (UNI) in a slowed down match that ended quickly in sudden victory courtesy of a Myers double to end the bout. The second bout played out differently as Myers was just a couple seconds shy of securing a major decision, dispatching No. 27 Trey Crawford, 8-2. The seventh-year senior and 2021 All-American now stands at 98 wins in his career.
- Redshirt Junior Collin Gerardi put together a tough showing on the day, securing a 3-2 upset victory over No. 29 Cael Happel (UNI) to get his day started. Gerardi secured a takedown in the final period and staved off offensive attempts to pull out the victory. In his second bout of the day, Gerardi pushed Mizzou to the brink but ultimately fell 3-1 in SV off a scramble that saw Hart end up on top.
- No. 7 Bryce Andonian lived up to his must-see viewing description and put on a show in both his bouts. Andonian made quick work over Collin Realbuto (UNI) with a high-amplitude throw and secured the fall in 0:39. The next bout, Andonian took out fellow ranked opponent, No. 19 Josh Edmond (Mizzou) in an electric bout to start and gritty ride-out to finish. Andonian trailed early but countered an Edmond double for the takedown and backs then sealed the deal with a ride-out in the third, 10-4.
- No. 24 Connor Brady put together an impressive day going 2-0, including an upset over No. 11 Jarrett Jacques (Mizzou). Brady edged out Cayd Lara (UNI) 3-2, securing one takedown and an escape to pick up the first win of the day. In his second bout, Brady handled No. 11 Jacques in a 3-2 decision victory. Brady controlled the course of the match and was aggressive throughout the bout but couldn't finish. He controlled the final seconds with stout defense to take the upset victory.
- Sophomore Clayton Ulrey split his day going 1-1. Ulrey battled Derek Holschlag (UNI) through the bout putting together two late attacks to force sudden victory. Ulrey fired off the whistle in the extra period to secure the victory. Ulrey then battled No. 3 Keegan O'Toole but ultimately dropped the bout 12-4 as the bout expired.
- No. 4 Mekhi Lewis finished the day going 2-0 with a pin and sudden victory. Lewis handled Pat Schoendelder (UNI) in dominating fashion, securing a quick fall in 1:31. The second bout played out differently, Lewis jumping out to an early lead and No. 10 Peyton Mocco (Mizzou) forcing sudden victory. Scrambles were aplenty in the sudden victory before forcing sudden victory ride-outs. Lewis hit a reversal and picked up nearfall to separate the lead and ultimately pick up the 9-6 victory. Lewis secured his second ranked win on the season.
- No. 9 Hunter Bolen was another Hokie who finished the day 2-0. Bolen joined the pin party against UNI, securing a fall over Dajun Johnson in 1:50. In the second bout, Bolen had to battle back early, but eventually secured two takedowns and a strong rideout to pull out a win over another ranked opponent in No. 10 Jeremiah Kent (UNI), 6-3.
- Dakota Howard had a strong showing early, putting a dominant performance before putting the final nail in the coffin with another pin for the Hokies over Noah Glaser (UNI) at the 6:56 mark after putting on a takedown clinic. The second bout on the day saw Howard taking on No. 5 Rocky Elam (Mizzou) and kept it to a decision to help the final team score.
- No. 14 Nathan Traxler stole the show, going 2-0 on the day. Traxler pulled out the 4-3 decision after battling back early against Tyrell Gordon (UNI) with a takedown in the second period that proved to be the difference maker. Traxler took on another ranked opponent on the year in No. 13 Zach Elam with dual implications on the line. Traxler found the legs multiple times before heading into sudden victory and picking up neutral danger to secure the takedown to end the match and secure the dual for the Hokies.
Box Score
No. 10 Virginia Tech – 39, No. 17 UNI – 3
125 – #11 Brody Teske (UNI) dec #12 Sam Latona (VT), 7-4
133 – #4 Korbin Myers (VT) dec Kyle Biscoglia (UNI), 6-4 SV
141 - Collin Gerardi (VT) dec #29 Cael Happel (UNI), 3-2
149 - #7 Bryce Andonian (VT) fall Colin Realbuto (UNI), 0:39
157 - #24 Connor Brady (VT) dec Cayd Lara (UNI), 3-2
165 – Clayton Ulrey (VT) dec Derek Holschlag (UNI), 9-7 SV
174 - #4 Mekhi Lewis (VT) fall Pat Schoenfelder (UNI), 1:31
184 - #9 Hunter Bolen (VT) fall Dajun Johnson (UNI), 1:50
197 – Dakota Howard (VT) fall Noah Glaser (UNI), 6:56
285 - #14 Nathan Traxler (VT) dec Tyrell Gordon (UNI), 4-3
Box Score
No. 10 Virginia Tech – 18, No. 3 Mizzou – 16
125 – #18 Noah Surtin (Mizzou) fall #12 Sam Latona (VT), 2:38
133 – #4 Korbin Myers (VT) dec #27 Trey Crawford (Mizzou), 8-2
141 - #12 Allan Hart (Mizzou) dec Collin Gerardi (VT), 3-1 SV1
149 - #7 Bryce Andonian (VT) dec #19 Josh Edmond (Mizzou), 10-4
157 - #24 Connor Brady (VT) dec #11 Jarrett Jacques (Mizzou), 3-2
165 – #3 Keegan O'Toole (Mizzou) maj dec Clayton Ulrey (VT), 12-4
174 – #4 Mekhi Lewis (VT) dec #10 Peyton Mocco (Mizzou), 9-6 TB1
184 – #9 Hunter Bolen (VT) dec #10 Jeremiah Kent (Mizzou), 6-3
197 – #5 Rocky Elam (Mizzou) dec Dakota Howard (VT), 8-2
285 – #14 Nathan Traxler (VT) dec #13 Zach Elam (Mizzou), 3-1 SV