Blacksburg, Va. – No. 7 Virginia Tech (7-3, 2-1 ACC) concludes this season's home slate against another ranked opponent in No. 21 North Carolina on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Cassell on ACC Network Extra.
The Hokies return to action after dispatching the Duke Blue Devils 42-3 last Friday night when they welcome No. 21 North Carolina to Cassell in the last home dual of the season. The Hokies will also be celebrating Senior Night – sending off Hunter Bolen, Korbin Myers, Nathan Traxler, and Jake Hart in their career dual in Blacksburg.
Fans are encouraged to be in Cassell by 6:40 p.m. as Senior Night ceremonials will start at 6:42 p.m.
No. 7 Virginia Tech vs No. 21 North Carolina
Date: Friday, Feb. 11
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Live Stream: ACC Network Extra
Live Updates: @HokiesWrestling (Twitter)
VACCINATION POLICY
- Effective immediately, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test result will no longer be required to attend Virginia Tech Athletics' indoor events. Face masks continue to be required and must be worn during all home indoor athletic events.
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
- Senior Night
- Maroon Out
- Student and Military Appreciation Night
- Student Cash Raffle
- Student Shirt Giveaway
- Men's Basketball vs UVA Experience Package Raffle
- Foam LED Sticks for the first 250 fans
TALE OF THE TAPE – NO. 7 HOKIES VS. NO. 21 TAR HEELS
- Tech is 40-31-2 all-time against North Carolina entering Friday night. The Hokies hold a win in the latest meeting – a 23-9 victory in historic Carmichael Arena.
- Tech features nine ranked wrestlers to UNC's seven, laying the field for potentially seven ranked bouts throughout the evening.
KEY MATCHUPS
- After four years as a Hokie, No. 5 Korbin Myers (13-1) takes Cassell floor one last time looking to continue his ACC dominance as he takes on No. 21 Joe Heilmann.
- No. 22 Collin Gerardi coming off a major decision shutout victory in Cassell last Friday night, will take on No. 9 Kizhan Clarke.
- Back to back ranked opponents for No. 5 Bryce Andonian as he takes on No. 17 Zach Sherman. Andonian is 5-1 on the season and will face his fifth ranked opponent after coming off an electric 0:21 pin over Duke's No. 14 Josh Finesilver.
- Looking to rebound after a loss in the closing seconds last week, No. 26 Connor Brady faces 2021 149-pound champion, No. 5 Austin O'Connor. Brady has put together a commendable record and an opportunity against the Tar Heel will only help bolster his resume as the post-season looms.
- No. 3 Mekhi Lewis faces another ranked opponent as he puts his 14-0 season record on the line against No. 9 Clay Lautt. In a battle of former ACC champions, Lewis will look to extend his undefeated season record. The Hokies 2019 national champion has only been taken down three times this season and has not surrendered more than four offensive points in a single bout.
- Another ranked opponent on the season for No. 10 Hunter Bolen as he takes on No. 18 Gavin Kane. The hometown favorite celebrating in what could be his last match in Blacksburg, Bolen will look to make it three bonus point victories in a row as he takes on the Tar Heel.
- No. 31 Dakota Howard climbs one spot in the latest Intermat rankings entering Friday's dual. Howard has a chance to climb in the rankings as he faces #28 Max Shaw or Mark Chaid. Howard looks to even the score against Shaw from their finals bout at the F&M Open where Shaw came away with a decision victory.
No. 7 Hokies vs No. 21 Tar Heels
Projected Lineup
125 – No. 20 Sam Latona (VT) vs Spencer Moore (UNC)
133 – No. 5 Korbin Myers (VT) vs No. 21 Joe Heilmann (UNC)
141 – No. 22 Collin Gerardi (VT) vs No. 9 Kizhan Clarke (UNC)
149 – No. 5 Bryce Andonian (VT) or Sam Hillegas (VT) vs No. 17 Zach Sherman (UNC)
157 – No. 26 Connor Brady (VT) or Jake Hart (VT) vs No. 5 Austin O'Connor (UNC)
165 – Clayton Ulrey (VT) vs Isaias Estrada (UNC) or Michael Goldfeder (UNC)
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (VT) vs No. 9 Clay Lautt (UNC)
184 – No. 10 Hunter Bolen (VT) vs No. 18 Gavin Kane (UNC)
197 – No. 31 Dakota Howard (VT) vs No. 28 Max Shaw (UNC) or Mark Chaid (UNC)
285 – No. 14 Nathan Traxler (VT) vs Brandon Whitman (UNC)