Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, VA – No. 10 Virginia Tech wrestling (6-2, 2-1) was down two starters, but their power was on full display on Friday night against the Virginia Cavaliers (4-4, 0-3) in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies won nine of ten bouts with six bonus point victories including two wins by true freshmen in front of 3,755 Hokie faithful to extend their win streak to 13 over the Cavaliers.
Bonus Point Party
- No. 5 Eddie Ventresca got the party started with a dominant major decision in a ranked victory over No. 30 Keyveon Roller. Ventresca was all offense en route to two takedowns, an escape, and riding time point to get the 8-0 victory.
- No. 19 Connor McGonagle made his second appearance in Cassell to the tune of a 10-0 major decision against another ranked opponent. McGonagle secured a crafty takedown in the first and wouldn’t look back as he picked up a reversal, backpoints, and a riding time point to give the home team another bonus point victory.
- No. 10 Sam Latona faced another top-20 opponent in No. 17 Dylan Cedeno at 141-pounds and it was Latona with a veteran performance. Latona was persistent with his attacks and defense on point to secure a takedown and pick up an escape and riding time point for the 5-1 decision.
- The Hitman returned to the lineup since his last match on December 19 and didn’t miss a beat. No. 1 Caleb Henson was slowed down to a 6-2 lead in the first two periods before an offensive outburst in the third to pick up the 19-5 major decision.
- The defending ACC champion at 184-pounds is catching fire – a 1:36 pin for yet another bonus point victory for the Hokies. No. 24 Thomas Stewart Jr. showed superb defense to offense to take his opponent from feet to back to secure the fall in the first period.
- No. 14 Jimmy Mullen ended the dual in thrilling fashion with heavyweight leg defense right into a cradle for the second period fall. The redshirt freshman is continuing a strong season in the lineup with another bonus point victory.
Freshmen Win Dual Debuts, Smith Returns to Lineup
- Two freshmen made their dual debuts – Matt Henrich and Gage Wright – in thrilling fashion for the Hokies. Henrich was subbing in for Rafael Hipolito Jr. at 157-pounds and had to dig deep for a takedown in the last :20 seconds of the match while trailing to pick up the come from behind victory. Wright answered the call at 174-pounds and after giving up the first takedown, wouldn’t look back to the tune of a 12-5 victory.
- No. 8 Andy Smith also returned to the lineup in his first action since North Carolina on January 10 and was all grit in a 2-1 victory over Virginia on Friday night for the Christiansburg native despite multiple offensive efforts.
The result gives the Hokies a point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 5.5-2.0 in favor of Virginia. For more information visit hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.
The Hokies return to action on February 7 against Stanford in Palo Alto, California. Follow Hokies Wrestling on X, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
Dual Result
No. 10 Virginia Tech – 36, Virginia – 3
125 – No. 5 Eddie Ventresca (VT) | MAJ DEC | No. 30 Keyveon Roller (UVA), 8-0
133 – No. 19 Connor McGonagle (VT) | MAJ DEC | No. 26 Gabe Porter (UVA), 10-0
141 – No. 10 Sam Latona (VT) | DEC | No. 17 Dylan Cedeno (UVA), 5-1
149 – No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) | MAJ DEC | No. 30 Jack Gioffre (UVA), 19-5
157 – Matt Henrich (VT) | DEC | Nick Sanko (UVA), 4-2
165 – No. 22 Nick Hamilton (UVA) | DEC | No. 29 Mac Church (VT), 4-2
174 – Gage Wright (VT) | MAJ DEC | Michael Murphy (UVA), 12-5
184 – No. 24 Thomas Stewart, Jr. (VT) | FALL | Hadyn Danals (UVA) 3-0, 1:36
197 – No. 8 Andy Smith (VT) | DEC | Ethan Weatherspoon (UVA), 2-1
285 – No. 14 Jimmy Mullen (VT) | FALL | Gabe Christenson (UVA), 4:17