BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech wrestling team opens the 2023-2024 season ranked in the top-five across three ranking polls ahead of their season opener in Salem, Virginia for the 2023 Southeast Open. With five returning All-Americans and eleven returning NCAA qualifiers, this marks the highest ranking across the board for the Hokies in program history.
As the season gets underway this weekend, Hokies are ranked No. 2 by Intermat, No. 3 by Flowrestling, and No. 5 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Tech is the highest ranked ACC team according to Intermat and Flowrestling rankings with NC State opening at No. 3 in the NWCA poll. With five returning All-Americans in Eddie Ventresca, Sam Latona, Caleb Henson, Bryce Andonian, and Mekhi Lewis – along with six other NCAA qualifiers – Tech is poised to push for a team trophy for just the second time in program history.
The Hokies boast nine of ten projected starters in the latest rankings with five in the top-six – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (174-pounds), No. 4 Eddie Ventresca (125-pounds), No. 4 Sam Latona (133-pounds), No. 4 Caleb Henson (149-pounds), and No. 6 Bryce Andonian (157-pounds). The other six weights feature No. 14 Andy Smith (197-pounds), No. 16 Hunter Catka (285-pounds), No. 18 Connor Brady (165-pounds), No. 24 Sam Fisher (184-pounds).
Tech opens the season in Salem, Virginia for the 2023 Southeast Open at Roanoke College on November 4 then turn to host perennial powerhouse No. 7 Ohio State on November 10 at 7 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum for the first dual of the season. The Hokies then make a quick turnaround to face American University again in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, November 12 at 4 p.m.
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