Tech advances three to Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational semifinalsTech advances three to Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational semifinals
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Tech advances three to Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational semifinals

Six Hokies still battling in prestigious tournament

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Las Vegas, NV – Six Hokies remain in contention for podium finishes at the 2024 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational highlighted by three semifinalists in Eddie Ventresca, Caleb Henson, and Andy Smith. Also battling in the consolation bracket at most prestigious in-season tournament in the country are Sam Latona, Rafael Hipolito, Jr., and Jimmy Mullen.

 

Championship Hits

  • No. 11 Eddie Ventresca continues his hot streak in his comeback season, advancing to the semifinals with a dominant win over No. 6 Tanner Jordan of South Dakota State. Ventresca will meet Nebraska’s No. 2 Caleb Smith in the semifinals.
  • The Hitman for a reason. No. 1 Caleb Henson continues to display his reigning national champion chops to the tune of two tech fall victories before a savvy victory over Oklahoma State’s No. 20 Carter Young via 6-3 decision to advance to the semifinals.
  • Homegrown Christiansburg product No. 11 Andy Smith put together two gritty performances including a tight 4-3 decision victory over No. 12 Luke Surber of Oklahoma State to advance to the CKLV semifinals for the first time in his career.

 

Consolation Contenders

  • 17 Sam Latona tallied two victories before dropping a tight 1-5 decision to No. 1 Jesse Mendez from Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Latona would bounce back with a 13-5 major decision in his consolation match to advance in tomorrow’s consolation bracket.
  • Redshirt freshman No. 23 Rafael Hipolito, Jr. was electric going 3-1 on the day with tight 2-5 loss to Iowa State’s No. 10 Paniro Johnson before ending the day with a statement victory over returning All-American No. 5 Peyten Keller (Ohio) via 12-4 to advance in the consolations.
  • 16 Jimmy Mullen began his day with a 0:33 fall but would a 1-5 decision to four-time All-American No. 5 Cohlton Shultz of Arizona State in the quarterfinals. The redshirt freshman responded with a 10-1 major over Iowa State’s Daniel Herrera to remain alive in the consolation bracket.

 

Next Session

Action resumes on Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m. EST for semifinal, consolations, 5th and 7th place rounds with championship finals and 3rd place matches starting at 6 p.m. EST live from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Matches can be streamed live on FloWrestling.

 

Results

Session 1, Round 1

125 – No. 11 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) DEC Bridger Ricks (Utah Valley), 5-0

141 – No. 17 Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) TECH FALL Hayden Zinkin (Cal State Bakersfield), 18-3 5:33

149 – No. 1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) TECH FALL Noah Tapia (Hofstra), 17-2 3:33

157 – No. 23 Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC Ryker Fullmer (Utah Valley), 13-3

165 – Mac Church (Virginia Tech) DEC Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming), 8-2

184 – No. 16 Thomas Stewart, Jr. (Virginia Tech) loss Caleb Uhlenhopp (Utah Valley), 5-6

197 – No. 11 Andy Smith, BYE

285 – No. 16 Jimmy Mullen, BYE

 

Session 1, Round 2

125 – (R16) No. 11 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) DEC Marcello Milani (Cornell) , 9-5

141 – (R16) No. 17 Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) DEC Josh Saunders (Cornell), 7-2

149 – (R16) No. 1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) TECH FALL Jagger French (Cal Poly), 19-3 5:38

157 – (R16) No. 23 Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) loss No. 10 Paniro Johnson (Iowa State), 2-5 SV

165 – (R16) Mac Church (Virginia Tech) loss No. 3 Peyton Hall (West Virginia), 0-6

184 – (Cons) No. 16 Thomas Stewart, Jr. (Virginia Tech) loss Daschle Lamer (Cal Poly), 0-10

197 – (R16) No. 11 Andy Smith (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC Max Acciardi (Arizona State), 18-8

285 – (R16) No. 16 Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech) FALL Jake Andrews (Cal State Bakersfield), 3-0 0:48

157 – (Cons) No. 23 Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC Anthony Conetta (Appalachian State), 17-3

165 – (Cons) Mac Church (Virginia Tech) DEC No. 29 Derek Fields (NC State), 4-2

 

Session 2, Round 1

Quarterfinals

125 – No. 11 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) DEC No. 6 Tanner Jordan (South Dakota State), 8-5

141 – No. 17 Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) loss No. 1 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State), 1-5

149 – No. 1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) DEC No. 20 Carter Young (Oklahoma State), 6-3

197 – No. 11 Andy Smith (Virginia Tech) DEC No. 12 Luke Surber (Oklahoma State), 4-3

285 – No. 16 Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech) loss No. 5 Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State), 1-5

 

Consolations

157 – Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) DEC Sasha Gavronsky (West Virginia), 5-2

165 – Mac Church (Virginia Tech) loss No. 12 Brock Mantanona (Michigan), 0-1

141 – Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC McKenzie Bell (Rider), 13-5

157 – No. 23 Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC No. 5 Peyten Kellar (Ohio), 12-4

285 – Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech) MAJ DEC Daniel Herrera (Iowa State), 10-1