Mekhi Lewis becomes three-time All-AmericanMekhi Lewis becomes three-time All-American
Levi Ventura
Wrestling

Mekhi Lewis becomes three-time All-American

TULSA, OK – Mekhi Lewis shines in March. The redshirt senior secured All-America honors for the third time in his illustrious career after a Friday morning win against Iowa's Nelson Brands in the quarterfinals at 174-pounds. Lewis advances to the semifinals to face No. 2 Mikey Labriola of Nebraska on Friday night as he looks to advance to his third finals appearance. Session IV starts at 8 p.m. EST live on ESPN.


 
After a scoreless first period, Lewis would work a quick escape to get on the board first. Lewis appeared to suffer an injury but refused to take injury time. With no offensive points exchanged, it was Brands choosing bottom to begin the final frame. Lewis would put on a controlling rideout throughout the third period to eventually earn the 2-0 victory and advance to the semifinals.


 
Five other Hokies remain for podium contention as Eddie Ventresca, Sam Latona, Caleb Henson Bryce Andonian, and Hunter Bolen will all wrestle Friday night to advance through the backside.
 
After dropping a tough Round of 16 bout on Thursday night, Henson won two bouts in Session III to advance to the blood round on Friday night. Henson would defeat No. 19 Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan via 5-3 sudden victory after battling back down in the second period. Henson would add another gritty win against No. 11 Doug Zapf from UPenn. With 1:00 remaining in the third and the bout tied at one, Henson would power through for a takedown for two and the eventual lead to survive and advance.
 
No. 27 Eddie Ventresca's run on the frontside came to an end in the quarterfinals in a competitive bout against #3 Liam Cronin of Nebraska. It was Ventresca who was offensive throughout the contest but just fell short of finishing multiple attempts in the match. Ventresca found an attack at the end of the first but just ran out of time. Cronin would get an escape to start the second to be the only points of the period albeit a deep attack by Ventresca just as time expired. Ventresca would trade an escape of his own to tie the bout at one in the final frame. Ventresca would again get in on a single but time would expire yet again to send the bout into sudden victory tied at one. It was Ventresca the aggressor in sudden victory again, but got caught in a takedown on the edge to drop to the consolation bracket Friday evening.
 
No. 6 Sam Latona was in a slugfest against No. 3 Vito Arujau Friday morning. The first minute into the bout saw six points on the board after a Latona takedown, Arujau reversal, then punctuated by a reversal by Latona to finish the sequence. Latona would give up an escape and a takedown in the final minute of the first to trail 4-5. Arujau would get an escape to increase Latona's deficit to 4-6. The Hokie would battle for an escape and fight for a takedown in the third but just wasn't enough as time expired.
 
At 157-pounds, it was an electric exchange to start the bout between No. 7 Bryce Andonian and No. 2 Levi Haines of Penn State. The Nittany Lion would fire an attack to be met with an Andonian chest wrap to roll through for the takedown. Andonian would remain on top and secure four sets of back points after a seemingly pin-call situation. Andonian would give up three takedowns for Haines to eventually tie the bout. Andonian would attempt a roll through but was met with a quick pin call to send him into the consolation bracket Friday evening.
 
No. 7 Hunter Bolen dropped his quarterfinal bout to rival No. 2 Trent Hidlay, 5-0. Bolen would give up an escape, stall call point, riding time advantage, and a takedown after a last effort in the closing seconds. He will wrestle back this evening to vie for All-American honors.
 
 
125-pounds
Quarterfinals – #27 Eddie Ventresca loss #3 Liam Cronin (Nebraska), 1-3 SV
 
133-pounds
Quarterfinals – #6 Sam Latona loss #3 Vito Arujau (Cornell), 5-6
 
157-pounds
Quarterfinals – #7 Bryce Andonian loss #2 Levi Haines (Penn State), fall 6:12
 
174-pounds
Quarterfinals – #3 Mekhi Lewis DEC #11 Nelson Brands (Iowa), 2-0
 
184-pounds
Quarterfinals – #7 Hunter Bolen loss #2 Trent Hidlay (NC State), 0-5
 
141-pounds
#15 Tom Crook loss #18 Dylan D'Emilio (Ohio State), 0-10
 
149-pounds
#4 Caleb Henson DEC #19 Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan), 5-3 SV
#4 Caleb Henson DEC #11 Doug Zapf (UPenn), 3-2
 
165-pounds
#23 Connor Brady loss #25 Bubba Wilson (Nebraska), 2-5