Commonwealth_24WR_uva_NDC_02174Commonwealth_24WR_uva_NDC_02174
Wrestling

Hokies dominate Cavaliers 27-9 in Commonwealth Clash

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The No. 13 Virginia Tech wrestling team (6-3, 2-0 ACC) traveled north for a dominant 27-9 outing against in-state foe, University of Virginia (7-3, 1-1) on Friday night. The Hokies won eight of ten bouts in Charlottesville to bring a point back to Blacksburg in the Commonwealth Clash presented by Smithfield.  

No. 2 Caleb Henson started the dual for the Hokies with a controlling 7-1 decision over Virginia's Erik Roggie. Henson was persistent throughout the bout – scoring the only takedowns and earning a stall call after numerous scoring attempts. Henson scored in the first period and would later slick for another takedown in the third period to get the Hokies on the board first. Henson continues his impressive season to improve to 22-1 and has yet to surrender a takedown since his Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational final back in December. 
 

Once again filling in for No. 8 Bryce Andonian was Clayton Ulrey to the tune of a dominant victory over No. 27 Dylan Cedeno at 157-pounds. Ulrey would rack three takedowns and garner an escape to take the upset 10-1 major decision in Charlottesville. 
 

Following up for Tech at 165-pounds was No. 22 Connor Brady with a gritty 4-2 decision over Nick Hamilton. The two would exchange escapes but it was the Hokie who would secure the decisive takedown in the final period off a Hamilton attack to take the bout and increase Tech's lead to 10-0.  
 

At 174-pounds it was a top-15 ranked match-up between conference champions No. 2 Mekhi Lewis and No. 14 Justin McCoy with Lewis earning a veteran 2-0 victory. Lewis would fend off an early attack from McCoy and would nearly convert on his own offense before running out of time in the first. Lewis would earn a quick escape in the second and would rideout the Cavalier in the third to pick up his second career win over McCoy. 

Bouncing back after a heart-breaker loss last weekend was redshirt freshman TJ Stewart with an offensive explosion at 184-pounds. Much like his bout last week, Stewart would attack early and often but would not let up this time as the Triangle, VA native would rack up six takedowns on Griffin Gammell to pick up the 20-5 tech fall just as time expired in the bout. Stewart's win pushed the Hokies' lead to 18-0. 
 

It was a signature match from Andy Smith – heavy handfighting and pour it on late – to take the bout at 197-pounds over Krystian Kinsey, 10-3. Smith would trail 0-1 into the third before tying it up with an escape of his own and would add on three takedowns in the final 45 seconds to ice the match. 
 

It was a brotherly battle beyond just Commonwealth Clash implications as No. 20 Hunter Catka faced little brother No. 33 Ryan Catka at heavyweight that proved to be the most electric match of the evening. With the score tied at 1 but Hunter holding riding time, big brother would secure a takedown via reattack but would give up a reversal to make it interesting. Hunter would get a quick escape and would increase his lead with another takedown to seal the bout 9-4. 
 

It was down to the lightweights as No. 6 at 125-pounds, Cooper Flynn took the mat against Kyle Montaperto. Flynn would score first with an early first period takedown and would add to the lead with an escape in the second period. Flynn would take the bout 4-2 at the final whistle. 
 

The win gives the Hokies a point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 2.5 - 5.5 in favor of Virginia. For more information, visit hokiesports.com/clash. 

The Hokies return to action for a back-to-back dual weekend to face Duke on February 9 in the Moss Arts Center and George Mason on February 10 in Cassell Coliseum to celebrate Senior Day.  

No. 13 Virginia Tech – 27, Virginia – 9 

February 2, 2024; Charlottesville, VA 

Final Scores *dual started at 149-pounds 

149-pounds 

No. 2 Caleb Henson (VT) DEC Erik Roggie (UVA), 7-1 

157-pounds 

Clayton Ulrey (VT) MAJ DEC No. 27 Dylan Cedeno (UVA), 10-1 

165-pounds 

No. 22 Connor Brady (VT) DEC Nick Hamilton (UVA), 4-2 

174-pounds 

No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (VT) DEC No. 14 Justin McCoy (UVA), 2-0 

184-pounds 

TJ Stewart (VT) TECH FALL Griffin Gammell (UVA), 20-5, 7:00 

197-pounds 

No. 25 Andy Smith (VT) DEC Krystian Kinsey (UVA), 10-3 

285-pounds 

No. 20 Hunter Catka (VT) DEC Ryan Catka (UVA), 9-5 

125-pounds 

No. 6 Cooper Flynn (VT) DEC Kyle Montaperto (UVA), 4-2 

133-pounds 

No. 11 Sam Latona (VT) loss Marlon Yarbrough (UVA), 7-15 

141-pounds 

Hunter Mason (VT) loss Jack Gioffre (UVA), 3-18 
 

Gallery: (2-2-2024) WRE: Virginia Match