Hokies win four matches at Moss Arts Center, turn sights to George Mason and AmericanHokies win four matches at Moss Arts Center, turn sights to George Mason and American
Wrestling

Hokies win four matches at Moss Arts Center, turn sights to George Mason and American

BLACKSBURG – The No. 8 Virginia Tech wrestling team dropped their first dual of 2023 to visiting No. 12 Cornell in the Moss Arts Center on Friday night, 12-22. Redshirt junior Sam Latona highlighted the Hokies' battle in Moss with a statement victory over No. 3 Vito Arujau in a battle of All-Americans.
 


 
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 for the Hokies. The victory is Latona's highest ranked win in his career.
 


 
Also adding to the Hokies' win tally was Clayton Ulrey at 157-pounds. Ulrey got the dual started with a gritty seven minutes of wrestling right up until the final horn. With the score tied at 2 heading into the final :20, Ulrey got the Moss Arts Center rocking with a double leg off a reattack Hokies on the board first. No. 7 Hunter Bolen was dominant in his 184-pound bout in his last Moss Arts Center dual. The redshirt senior garnered a shoutout 4-0 decision victory over Cornell back-up Ethan Hatcher. Capping off the Hokies in the winner's column was heavyweight, Hunter Catka. Catka looked strong early, securing a takedown late in the first period to get on the board. Catka would later add another takedown, an escape, and riding time point to secure the 6-1 decision.
 
The Hokies now turn their sights on the road for two duals on Sunday as they travel to Fairfax to face George Mason inside the RAC at 1 p.m. EST and will then up to the nation's capital to face American University at 6 p.m. EST in Bender Arena.
 
Follow Hokies Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and information.
 
#8 Virginia Tech Hokies – 12, #12 Cornell Big Red - 22
Official Results
125 – No. 21 Brett Ungar DEC No. 18 Eddie Ventresca, 2-1 TB1
133 – No. 8 Sam Latona DEC No. 3 Vito Arujau (Cornell), 3-2
141 – No. 22 Vince Cornella (Cornell) MAJ DEC No. 14 Tom Crook, 12-4
149 – No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) DEC No. 11 Caleb Henson, 6-2
157 – Clayton Ulrey DEC Gage McClenahan (Cornell), 4-2
165 – No. 7 Julian Ramirez (Cornell) DEC No. 22 Connor Brady, 3-0
174 – No. 5 Chris Foca (Cornell) Fall Jordan Florence, 4:14
184 – No. 7 Hunter Bolen DEC Ethan Hatcher (Cornell), 4-0
197 – No. 17 Jacob Cardenas (Cornell) DEC No. 21 Andy Smith, 10-3
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka DEC Brendan Furman (Cornell), 6-1
 
 
 
No. 8 Virginia Tech at George Mason
January 8, 2023, 1PM EST
ESPN +
Probables
125 – No. 18 Eddie Ventresca or Cooper Flynn vs Markel Baker (George Mason)
133 – No. 8 Sam Latona or Brandon Wittenberg vs Josh Jones or Pat Schellpfeffer (George Mason)
141 – No. 14 Tom Crook or Collin Gerardi vs Anthony Glasl or Shawn Nonaka (George Mason)
149 – No. 11 Caleb Henson or Kylan Montomery vs Nate Higley (George Mason)
157 – Clayton Ulrey vs Loranzo Rajaonarivelo (George Mason)
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady or Ty Finn vs Drew Dickson (George Mason)
174 – Jordan Florence or Kolton Clark vs Jeremy Seymour (George Mason)
184 – Sam Fisher vs Malachi DuVall or Tyler Kocak (George Mason)
197 – No. 21 Andy Smith or Dakota Howard vs Jon List (George Mason)
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka vs Donovan Sprouse (George Mason)
 
 
No. 8 Virginia Tech at American University
January 8, 2023, 6PM EST
Rokfin
Probables
125 – No. 18 Eddie Ventresca or Cooper Flynn vs Maximilian Lette (American)
133 – No. 8 Sam Latona or Brandon Wittenberg vs Jack Maida (American)
141 – No. 14 Tom Crook or Collin Gerardi vs Ethan Szerencsits (American)
149 – No. 11 Caleb Henson or Kylan Montomery vs Patrick Ryan (American)
157 – Clayton Ulrey vs Jack Nies (American)
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady or Ty Finn vs Caleb Campos (American)
174 – Jordan Florence or Kolton Clark vs Lucas White or Brad Kata (American)
184 – Sam Fisher vs Colin Shannon or Carsten Rawls (American)
197 – No. 21 Andy Smith or Dakota Howard vs Connor Bourne (American)
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka vs Isaac Righter or Will Jarrell (American)