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Wrestling

No. 9 Tech prevails on the road against No. 22 App State

BOONE, NC – The No. 9 Virginia Tech wrestling team wrapped up non-conference slate in convincing fashion with a 23-11 win in hostile territory over scrappy No. 22 App State on Friday night. The Hokies were led by bonus point victories from Andy Smith and Hunter Catka but no victory of the evening bigger than that from freshman Caleb Henson.
 


 
No. 11 Caleb Henson woke up feeling dangerous yet again with a dual-opening victory over another top-ten opponent, this time against App State's two-time All-American and four-time SoCon champion, No. 8 in the country, Jon Jon Millner. The Hokie freshman was aggressive early with heavy handfighting to start the match but surrendered a takedown just over halfway into the first period. Henson would work for an escape as the period ended to close in on Millner's lead. Henson would then choose bottom to begin the second period in regulation before earning an escape, however, Millner held riding time advantage. The escape would be the only points exchanged in the second period. The App State wrestler would then select bottom to begin the final frame and earn an escape while keeping his riding time intact. Henson would pepper off attacks before finishing on a takedown with 0:40 left in the bout and earn the rideout to send the match into sudden victory with the match tied at four. Henson would defend a Millner double and shoot for a knee pull of his own right into a takedown to secure the 6-4 victory and earn his second top-10 victory of the season and third over a returning All-American.
 


 
The Hokies would then drop the next two bouts at 157 and 165 but would rattle off four straight victories from No. 3 Mekhi Lewis, No. 7 Hunter Bolen, No. 23 Andy Smith, and No. 23 Hunter Catka to regain the lead for the Hokies.
 
Lewis made his return to competition for the first time since December 18 against Stanford with a gritty 6-5 victory over Will Miller. Lewis led the whole match before giving up a takedown in the final minute to tie the bout at 5. Lewis would then fight for an escape with 0:16 left to secure the 6-5 decision for the Hokies. Bolen would follow up with a workman performance over Luke Uliano at 184-pounds to help take the Hokies lead in the dual. Bolen racked up a takedown, reversal, and riding time point in a 5-1 decision victory at the halfway point of the dual. Smith and Catka would then come up in a big way – going on a takedown frenzy to rack up major decision victories to close out the upperweight lineup.
 
Tech would drop a decision loss at 125-pounds, but No. 6 Sam Latona and No. 15 Tom Crook finished the Hokies off with victories to end the night. In a bout against No. 24 Sean Carter that was all-action from Latona, the reigning ACC Wrestler of the Week was forced into overtime despite finding leg attacks a multitude of times throughout regulation. Latona was relentless in sudden victory, finding a sweep single that he would finish for two to take the bout and seal the dual for the Hokies. Crook would add the finishing touches with a 9-4 decision over Heath Gonyer to end the dual. Crook was crisp early and often, racking up three takedowns plus an escape point, riding time, and a penalty point on the night.
 
The Hokies now look ahead to next Friday when they open ACC competition against conference rival, No. 5 NC State in Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m. EST for the ACC Friday Night Duals opener.
 
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No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies – 23, No. 22 App State Mountaineers – 11
Results
125 – No. 21 Caleb Smith (App State) DEC Eddie Ventresca, 8-3
133 – No. 6 Sam Latona DEC No. 24 Sean Carter (App State), 3-1 SV
141 – No. 15 Tom Crook DEC Heath Gonyer (App State), 9-4
149 – No. 11 Caleb Henson DEC No. 8 Jonathan Millner (App State), 6-4 SV
157 – No. 31 Tommy Askey (App State) MAJ DEC Clayton Ulrey, 12-4
165 – No. 26 Will Formato (App State) MAJ DEC, 12-0
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis DEC Will Miller (App State), 6-5
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen DEC Luke Uliano (App State), 5-1
197 – No. 23 Andy Smith MAJ DEC Carson Floyd (App State), 13-3
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka MAJ DEC Mason Fiscella (App State), 12-2