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Wrestling

Tech wrestling bounces back in a big way in Durham

DURHAM, NC – After a rough outing in Blacksburg last Friday night, the No. 9 Virginia Tech wrestling responded in a big way by handling the Duke 45-0 in Durham on Friday night. The Hokies won all ten bouts – nine of the ten coming by way of bonus point victory – against the Blue Devils to improve to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in conference competition.
 
Redshirt freshman Eddie Ventresca got the nod for the Hokies and dual started against Duke's Ethan Grimminger to kick off the evening. Ventresca shot early via low single and went straight to work with a cross wrist tilt for four nearfall to jump to a 6-0 lead. Ventresca would then add two more takedowns and a set for four back points to end the first period with the 14-2 lead. The Hokie would then take bottom to begin the second period and garner a quick escape right into a single for two to cap off the 17-2 tech fall.
 
No. 7 Sam Latona was clinical with six takedowns en route to a bonus victory over Logan Agin in the second bout of the night. Latona was up 2-0 at the end of the first then poured it on in the last two periods to collect five takedowns, an escape, and a riding time point to rack up the second bonus point victory for the Hokies with the 15-5 major decision.


 
Freshman Tom Crook was persistent for seven minutes through en route to a major decision over Christian Colman to improve to 14-6 on the season. Crook garnered his first ACC victory in dominating fashion to return to the win column. The Hokie was offensive early – racking up four takedowns, earning a stall point, an escape, and riding time advantage point to pick up the 11-2 major decision victory.
 
True to form was No. 8 Caleb Henson with another dominant performance over Patrick Rowland to continue his stellar season. Henson was offensive from start to finish with a 18-3 tech fall to keep the bonus victories rolling for Tech. The freshman picked up four takedowns, eight back points, and a reversal in an offensive flurry for his 17th win on the season.
 
The electric factory was surging once again as No. 5 Bryce Andonian picked up his fifth bonus point victory in six bouts on the season with a powerful pin in the first period. Andonian opned with a double leg a mere five seconds into the match before adding on two more takedowns in the following 30 seconds and a cradle for four back points to go up 10-2 early. Andonian would then go over under bodylock and pin Logan Ferrero in true Andonian fashion.


 
No. 26 Connor Brady found the win column with a controlling win over Gabe Dinentte in the sixth bout of the evening. Brady found five takedowns, an escape, and riding time point to get the 12-5 decision to keep the Hokies flawless on the evening.
 
No. 3 Mekhi Lewis had a short night with a forfeit to push the Hokies lead to 33-0.
 
Redshirt sophomore Sam Fisher got the start in Durham and made the most of his opportunity as he took the 15-6 major decision victory for the Hokies. Fisher was savvy defensively, countering two attacks then adding three more takedowns of his own to push his lead. Fisher would then add a stall point, riding time, and two escapes to cap off the eighth straight victory for the Hokies.
 
Making his dual meet debut was freshman TJ Stewart with a major decision victory for Tech. Stewart let it fly early with two lat drops to go up 4-2 at the end of the first period. Stewart would add two more takedowns but this time by way of counterattacks to lead 8-4 entering the third period. The freshman would then add two more takedowns in the final period along with an escape and riding time to earn the 14-6 major and his first dual meet victory as a Hokie.


 
Closing out the dual was No. 23 Hunter Catka against Connor Barket. Catka ended the first period 6-1 with two takedowns and two nearfall and wouldn't look back as he would add three more takedowns, an escape, and a riding time point to take the 14-6 major decision and complete the sweep for the Hokies in Durham.
 
Up Next
The Hokies travel to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels on ACC Network at 7 p.m. EST. Follow Virginia Tech on Instagram, Facebook, and Instagram for information and to keep up with Hokies Wrestling throughout the season.
 

No. 9 Hokies – 45, Blue Devils – 0
Official Results
125 – Eddie Ventresca TECH FALL Ethan Grimminger (Duke), 17-2
133 – No. 7 Sam Latona MAJ DEC Logan Agin (Duke), 15-5
141 – No. 12 Tom Crook MAJ DEC Christian Colman (Duke), 11-2
149 – No. 8 Caleb Henson TECH FALL Patrick Rowland (Duke)
157 – No. 5 Bryce Andonian FALL Logan Ferrero (Duke), 2:40
165 – No. 26 Connor Brady DEC Gabe Dinette (Duke), 12-5
174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis Forfeit
184 – Sam Fisher MAJ DEC Luke Chakonis (Duke), 15-6
197 – TJ Stewart MAJ DEC Brayden Ray (Duke), 14-6
285 – No. 23 Hunter Catka MAJ DEC Connor Barkert (Duke), 14-6