WASHINGTON D.C. – The No. 8 Virginia Tech wrestling team responded in a big way after Friday night's loss to No. 12 Cornell by dispatching George Mason 34-3, and American University 35-9 on the road in convincing fashion. The Hokies won 17 out of 20 matches including an extra match to wrap up the first weekend of 2023 dual competition.
Tech began the day in Fairfax, playing visitor to the George Mason Patriots in a heavily populated maroon and orange crowd. The Hokies capitalized off five bonus point victories from No. 8 Sam Latona, Collin Gerardi, No. 11 Caleb Henson, No. 21 Andy Smith, and No. 23 Hunter Catka along with the team winning nine out of ten bouts on the afternoon. Also picking up victories in the first dual of the day for the Hokies were Eddie Ventresca, Clayton Ulrey, Connor Brady, and Sam Fisher.
𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙳 𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙾𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙻𝚈 😤
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) January 8, 2023
Tech goes 9-1 with 5️⃣ bonus victories to take the first bout of Sunday's double header!
We're back in action in Washington D.C. at 6PM EST against American live on ESPN+. #Team100 #Hokies #ALLINALLTHETIME 🦃 pic.twitter.com/3LKoPtlOiL
Tech would then take a trip to the nation's capital to take on the American University Eagles in Bender Arena for the second dual of the day. Tech was dominant – picking up wins in eight of ten bouts with five via bonus point victories. No. 14 Tom Crook bounced back from his Friday night against Cornell in dominating fashion as he picked up the 20-5 tech fall for the visiting team. Brandon Wittenberg, Kolton Clark, Fisher, and Catka would add bonus point victories with Cooper Flynn and Smith rounding out the winners for Tech.
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙊𝙑𝘼 💪
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) January 9, 2023
Hokies close out trip up north winning 8 of 10 bouts in Washington DC. Thank you for showing up and tuning in #HokieNation!
Recap coming this evening.#Team100 #Hokies #ALLINALLTHETIME 🦃 pic.twitter.com/K8gbM6tguJ
Tech improves to 5-2 on the season after Sunday's dual victories. 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.
No. 8 Virginia Tech – 34, George Mason – 3
Results
125 – No. 18 Eddie Ventresca DEC Markel Baker (George Mason), 8-2
133 – No. 8 Sam Latona MAJ DEC Josh Jones (George Mason), 12-4
141 – Collin Gerardi MAJ DEC Shawn Nonaka (George Mason), 10-1
149 – No. 11 Caleb Henson FALL Nate Higley (George Mason), 6:15
157 – Clayton Ulrey DEC Loranzo Rajaonarivelo (George Mason), 8-3
165 – No. 22 Connor Brady DEC Drew Dickson (George Mason), 12-5
174 – Logan Messer (George Mason) DEC Jordan Florence, 6-2
184 – Sam Fisher DEC Malachi DuVall (George Mason), 11-7
197 – No. 21 Andy Smith MAJ DEC Jon List (George Mason), 14-2
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka MAJ DEC Donovan Sprouse (George Mason), 14-3
Extra Match
133 – Brandon Wittenberg DEC Patrick Schellpfeffer (George Mason), 6-1
No. 8 Virginia Tech – 35, American University – 9
Results
125 – Cooper Flynn DEC Maximilian Lette (American), 3-1
133 – Brandon Wittenberg MAJ DEC Shamil Kalmatov (American), 12-2
141 – No. 14 Tom Crook TECH FALL Ethan Szerencsits (American), 20-5 5:20
149 – Patrick Ryan (American) DEC Kylan Montomery, 7-2
157 – Clayton Ulrey DEC Jack Nies (American), 10-4
165 – Caleb Campos (American) FALL Ty Finn, 2:13
174 – Kolton Clark FALL Lucas White (American), 1:51
184 – Sam Fisher TECH FALL Colin Shannon (American), 25-9
197 – No. 21 Andy Smith DEC Connor Bourne (American), 3-1
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka DQ Isaac Righter (American)