BLACKSBURG – The No. 8 Virginia Tech wrestling team travels across the country yet again, this time to Palo Alto, California to face Stanford and Lindenwood on Sunday, December 18 to close out the Hokies' first half of the season. Tech will wrestle Lindenwood at 4:30 p.m. EST then take on Stanford at 6 p.m. EST live on Pac-12 Live.
No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies vs Lindenwood Lions; Stanford Cardinals
When: Sunday, December 18, 2022
Time: vs Lindenwood, 4:30 p.m. EST; vs Stanford, 6 p.m. EST
Where: Burnham Pavilion, Palo Alto, California
Admission: Free
How to Watch: Pac-12 Live https://pac-12.com/live/stanford-university
Live Updates: Hokies Wrestling Twitter
Hokies in the Rankings
- After a victory over visiting No. 7 Mizzou last Sunday evening, Tech enters Sunday's tri-meet ranked in the top-nine across three polls including No. 8 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings, No. 4 on Flowrestling, and No. 9 on Intermat.
- The Hokies field ten ranked wrestlers; three in the top-ten and three more in the top-15 for the second week in a row.
- All ten starters are featured in this week's Intermat rankings – No. 16 Eddie Ventresca (125), No. 12 Sam Latona (133), No. 15 Tom Crook (141), No. 12 Caleb Henson (149), No. 5 Bryce Andonian (157), No. 22 Connor Brady (165), No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (174), No. 7 Hunter Bolen (184), No. 19 Andy Smith (197), and No. 22 Hunter Catka (285).
Virginia Tech vs Stanford, Lindenwood: Storylines
- Sunday's dual will be the second-ever meeting between the two programs – the first being 2018 which resulted in a 22-12 victory in Blacksburg for the Hokies.
- The first meeting between the two programs also featured vintage storylines – first dual in the head coach Tony Robie era, true freshman Hunter Bolen's collegiate debut, and Jared Haught welcoming Stanford redshirt freshman Nathan Traxler to the college wrestling scene. Five years later, Traxler would then transition to Blacksburg as a graduate transfer and win an ACC title at heavyweight for the Hokies.
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Tech and Lindenwood.
Tale of the Tape
- The Hokies feature ten ranked wrestlers on roster to Stanford's six individually ranked wrestlers
- There will be a potential of four ranked bouts, one being a top-15 match between No. 12 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) and NCAA All-American No. 13 Jaden Abas
- Henson isn't the only Hokie going through a two-week gauntlet as No. 22 Connor Brady also takes the mat for the Hokies in California. After a valiant effort against No. 1 Keegan O'Toole of Mizzou last weekend, Brady will face Stanford's 2021 national champion and two-time finalist, No. 2 Shane Griffith.
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No. 8 Virginia Tech vs Stanford
Probables
125 – Cooper Flynn vs No. 31 Nico Provo (Stanford)
133 – No. 12 Sam Latona vs Jackson DiSario (Stanford)
141 – No. 15 Tom Crook or Collin Gerardi vs No. 32 Jason Miranda (Stanford)
149 – No. 12 Caleb Henson vs No. 13 Jaden Abas (Stanford)
157 – Clayton Ulrey vs No. 19 Daniel Cardenas (Stanford)
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady vs No. 2 Shane Griffith (Stanford)
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis vs No. 25 Tyler Eischens (Stanford)
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen vs Brook Byers (Stanford)
197 – No. 19 Andy Smith vs Nick Stemmet (Stanford)
285 – No. 22 Hunter Catka vs Seamus O'Malley (Stanford)
No. 8 Virginia Tech vs Lindenwood
Probables
125 – Cooper Flynn vs Austin Kegley (Lindenwood)
133 – No. 12 Sam Latona vs Ben Lindley (Lindenwood)
141 – No. 15 Tom Crook or Collin Gerardi vs Kalen Napier (Lindenwood)
149 – No. 12 Caleb Henson vs Ben Bohr (Lindenwood)
157 – Clayton Ulrey vs TBD
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady vs Kaden Charboneau (Lindenwood)
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis vs Luke Dickhaus (Lindenwood)
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen vs Austin Raynor (Lindenwood)
197 – No. 19 Andy Smith vs Ryan Golnick (Lindenwood)
285 – No. 22 Hunter Catka vs David Hernandez (Lindenwood)