BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling's redshirt junior No. 8 Sam Latona has been named Week 9 ACC Wrestler of the Week after his stellar weekend – a thrilling victory over Cornell's No. 3 Vito Arujau last Friday night and a major decision over George Mason's Josh Jones on Sunday afternoon. Latona becomes the fifth Hokie to be named conference wrestler of the week and this being the sixth time in nine weeks for Tech this season.
"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. When the game's on the line, I'm not asking myself to do something I haven't done thousands of times before."
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) January 9, 2023
Relive @Sam_Latona win over No. 3 in the country😤🧊 #Team100 #Hokies #ALLINALLTHETIME 🦃 pic.twitter.com/Tljj0QUIXx
In what was the highest, mutually ranked match of the evening, Sam Latona shined on center stage with a redemption victory over Cornell's two-time All-American, No. 3 Vito Arujau. Latona had been 0-2 in their previous meetings before Friday night – a major decision loss at 125-pounds last season at the Journeyman Duals and a decision loss this past December at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational at 133-pounds.
Arujau started quick with a single-leg off the first whistle to be met with great defense from Latona and offense of his own in what was a foreshadowing of all the action the bout had in store. Latona eventually was able to secure a takedown in the last minute of the first period followed by an Arujau escape to end an action-packed first period, 2-1 in favor of the Hokie. Arujau would then garner an escape in the second period in what would be the only points of the period not for a lack of trying by Latona with another scoring attempt as time expired in the second. The final period saw a Latona escape to take the lead 3-2 with 1:30 remaining in the bout. Arujau put on a flurry of attacks but stalwart, impenetrable defense by Latona proved to be too much as he would secure the decision victory for the Hokies. The victory is Latona's highest ranked win in his career.
SAM LATONAAAA!!!! ROLLLL BAMMAAAA!!!!
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) January 7, 2023
Sam Latona with the 3-2 DEC to take out #3 in the country!!!! pic.twitter.com/c7ziIANJKf
Following up his victory on Friday night, Latona earned a 12-4 major decision over George Mason's Josh Jones on Sunday in the first of two duals for the Hokies. Latona surged late in the third period with a reversal and four takedowns to pick up the bonus point victory for Tech.
Latona and the Hokies return to action on Friday, January 13 against Appalachian State in Boone, NC at 7 p.m. EST to wrap up out of conference competition. They'll then host conference rival, No. 5 NC State next Friday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum to start ACC competition.