Tech wrestlers ready for top-ten battle in enemy territoryTech wrestlers ready for top-ten battle in enemy territory
Wrestling

Tech wrestlers ready for top-ten battle in enemy territory

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech wrestling team faces its first test of the season as the #10 Hokies travel to Columbus to open their dual schedule against #4 Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, November 11 at 7 P.M. in the Covelli Center live on Big Ten Network Plus.
 

No. 10 Virginia Tech vs. No. 4 Ohio State
Date: Friday, November 11
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network Plus
Live Stats and Updates: Hokies Wrestling Twitter
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/ohio-state-buckeyes-wrestling-vs-virginia-columbus-ohio-11-11-2022/event/05005D4C3AEB6D9E?brand=osubuckeyes
 
Tech Travels to Columbus for First Test of Season

  • The Hokies return four All-Americans – No. 11 Sam Latona (133), No. 3 Bryce Andonian (157), No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (174), and No. 13 Hunter Bolen (184).
  • Tech features all ten starters ranked in at least one ranking poll heading into the first dual of the season.
  • Friday is the eighteenth meeting between the Hokies and the Buckeyes. Ohio State has won 14 of the previous 17 matchups.
  • Ohio State won the last meeting – a 17-13 for the No. 4 Buckeyes in Cassell Coliseum over the No. 11 Hokies.
  • The last time the Hokies traveled to Columbus, then ranked #15 Tech pulled off the 17-15 upset over the then #3 Buckeyes.
  • Tech will be looking to carry momentum from the Southeast Open that saw six Hokies win titles – Eddie Ventresca (125-pounds), Tom Crook (141-pounds), Caleb Henson (149-pounds), Hunter Bolen (184-pounds), Andy Smith (197-pounds), and Hunter Catka (285-pounds).

 
Looking at the Opposition

  • No. 4 Ohio State's dual record stands at 0-0, with their most recent showing crowning five champions at the Michigan State Open.
  • The Buckeyes feature six past All-Americans – No. 3 Sammy Sasso (149-pounds), No. 3 Carson Kharchla (165-pounds), No. 4 Ethan Smith (174-pounds), No. 4 Kaleb Romero (184-pounds), No. 5 Gavin Hoffman (197-pounds), and No. 8 Tate Orndorff (285-pounds).
  • The Buckeyes finished the 2021-2022 season 5th in dual rankings and 13th at the 2022 NCAA Championships.

 
Tale of the Tape

  • Both teams combine for nine ranked wrestlers in this week's Intermat rankings.
  • Friday will feature eight ranked matchups with two top-10 bouts – No. 2 Mekhi Lewis vs No. 6 Ethan Smith and No. 9 Hunter Bolen vs No. 4 Kaleb Romero

 
No. 10 Virginia Tech vs No. 4 Ohio State Probables
125 – No. 25 Eddie Ventresca (3-0) vs No. 11 Malik Heinselman (4-0)
133 – No. 19 Sam Latona (4-1) vs No. 11 Jesse Mendez (4-0)
141 – No. 16 Tom Crook (4-0) vs No. 7 Dylan D'MEmilio (1-1)
149 – No. 27 Caleb Henson (5-0) vs No 2 Sammy Sasso (4-0)
157 – Clayton Ulrey (3-2) vs No. 22 Paddy Gallagher (5-0)
165 – No. 29 Connor Brady (3-1)/Drew Nicholson (3-1) vs No. 6 Carson Kharchla (0-0)
174 – No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (2-0) vs No. 6 Ethan Smith (5-0)
184 – No. 9 Hunter Bolen (0-0) vs No. 4 Kaleb Romero (4-0)
197 – Andy Smith (3-0) vs No. 14 Gavin Hoffman (3-1)
285 – No. 18 Hunter Catka 4-0) vs No. 7 Tate Orndorff (0-0)