PALO ALTO – The No. 8 Virginia Tech wrestling team closed out the year 2022 with a strong finish going 2-0 on Sunday against Stanford, 22-12, and Lindenwood, 52-0 in Palo Alto, California. The Hokies won a combined 15 matches on Sunday with bonus points aplenty in Palo Alto highlighted by freshman Caleb Henson's major decision over Stanford's All-American, Jaden Abas, in a top-15 match-up.
Freshman phenom No. 12 Caleb Henson woke up feeling dangerous yet again, this time dispatching Stanford's 2021 All-American, Jaden Abas via major decision, 11-1. Henson was offensive early with a takedown right into a set of back points to go up 6-0 early. Henson added another set of back points and a second period rideout to lead 10-0 at the end of the second period. Henson finished with an escape, stall point, and riding point to secure another victory over an All-American this season. Henson also added a tech fall over Ben Nohr of Lindenwood, 19-3 to go undefeated on the day.
Also dominant on the day were No. 12 Sam Latona, No. 3 Mekhi Lewis, No. 7 Hunter Bolen, and No. 22 Hunter Catka. The Hokies' anchors went undefeated on the day with a combined seven bonus point victories to propel the No. 8 Hokies to a 2-0 weekend.
No. 15 Tom Crook and Collin Gerardi split duties for the Hokies today – Gerardi got the nod against Lindenwood with a major decision over Kalen Napier, 14-1. Crook followed up with a controlling decision over another ranked opponent in No. 32 Jason Miranda of Stanford with a 4-1 decision.
The Hokies return to action on January 1-2 for the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
No. 8 Virginia Tech vs Stanford
Probables
125 – Cooper Flynn Loss No. 31 Nico Provo (Stanford), 1-3 SV
133 – No. 12 Sam Latona MAJ DEC Jackson DiSario (Stanford), 12-3
141 – No. 15 Tom Crook DEC No. 32 Jason Miranda (Stanford), 4-1
149 – No. 12 Caleb Henson MAJ DEC No. 13 Jaden Abas (Stanford), 11-1
157 – Clayton Ulrey Loss No. 19 Daniel Cardenas (Stanford), 5-11
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady Loss No. 2 Shane Griffith (Stanford), 2-4 TB2
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis DEC No. 25 Tyler Eischens (Stanford), 2-1
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen MAJ DEC Brook Byers (Stanford), 11-1
197 – No. 19 Andy Smith Loss Nick Stemmet (Stanford), 5-11
285 – No. 22 Hunter Catka MAJ DEC Seamus O'Malley (Stanford), 17-5
No. 8 Virginia Tech vs Lindenwood
Probables
125 – Cooper Flynn FALL Austin Kegley (Lindenwood), 2:06
133 – No. 12 Sam Latona MAJ DEC Ben Lindley (Lindenwood), 18-5
141 – Collin Gerardi MAJ DEC Kalen Napier (Lindenwood), 14-1
149 – No. 12 Caleb Henson TECH FALL Ben Bohr (Lindenwood), 19-3 4:11
157 – Clayton Ulrey via Forfeit
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady FALL Kaden Charboneau (Lindenwood), 2:37
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis FALL Luke Dickhaus (Lindenwood), 1:48
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen TECH FALL Austin Raynor (Lindenwood), 16-1 4:38
197 – No. 19 Andy Smith MAJ DEC Ryan Golnick (Lindenwood), 14-3
285 – No. 22 Hunter Catka FALL David Hernandez (Lindenwood), 2:00