Hokie ClubPHILADELPHIA – Virginia Tech wrestling pushed four wrestlers into the quarterfinals and four more battling in the consolation bracket to stand at 11th in the team racec to wrap up day one of the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Eddie Ventresca, Connor McGonagle, Caleb Henson, and Lennox Wolak remain in championship contention for the Hokies. Rafael Hipolito Jr., Mac Church, Andy Smith, and Jimmy Mullen continue to battle for a podium finish on the backside bracket.
All-America Within Reach
No. 3 Eddie Ventresca continues to write his comeback story as he punched his ticket into the 125-pound quarterfinals with two victories on opening day – two decisions over No. 30 Gylon Sims (Citadel) and No. 14 Spencer Moore of North Carolina. Ventresca found his offense early in both matches and wouldn’t look back. The Hokie struck Sims with a takedown in the opening period then add on riding time and escape points for the 5-1 victory. Ventresca would then avenge his dual meet loss against the Tar Heel Moore with a double out of the gate then tack on a riding time point and a reversal to take the 6-3 decision and punch his ticket to his second quarterfinal appearance. He’ll take on fellow conference champion No. 6 Jett Strickenberger of West Virginia in the quarterfinals.
The transfer Connor McGonagle is making the most of his new position and his last year of eligibility with a trip to the quarterfinals for the Hokies. The No. 6 seed at 133-pounds opened his final NCAA appearance with a gritty 1-0 decision against Army’s No. 27 Ethan Berginc then followed up with a stingy 5-0 victory over Iowa State’s Evan Frost for his second win on the day. The Danville, NH will face Zan Fugitt of Wisconsin with the winner securing All-America honors.
The Hitman continues to do champion things in Wells Fargo Arena with two wins on the day as the top seed. Caleb Henson had two controlling decision victories over Oklahoma State’s No. 33 Teague Travis and No. 17 Jaden Abas of Stanford to continue his title defense. Henson would score a takedown and an escape point on Travis and never be threatened to take the 4-0 decision then would follow up with another win over Abas, 5-1 to improve to 4-0 against the Cardinal. The defending champion faces Little Rock’s Pac-12 champion No. 8 Jordan Williams. Henson previously defeated Williams last season in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Championships while Williams was with Oklahoma State.
Catching fire at the right time seems to be the theme for 174-pounder No. 24 Lennox Wolak as he defeated fellow Ohio native and All-American No. 9 Carson Kharchla in the opening round of competition. With just under one minute left in the match, Wolak would catch the Buckeye with an inside trip to secure the winning takedown and advance to the round of 16. The Hokie would face No. 25 Dalton Harkins of Army and would hit the trip again but this time in sudden victory to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals for a meeting against two-time NCAA champion No. 1 Keegan O’Toole of Missouri.
Backside Battling
Dropping to the consolation after dropping their second matches were No. 4 Rafael Hipolito Jr. and No. 19 Andy Smith. No. 11 Jimmy Mullen and No. 28 Mac Church dropped their opening bouts but battled to win their consolation match to remain in contention for the podium.
Hipolito opened his NCAA debut with a 10-3 decision over Harvard’s James Harrington courtesy of three takedowns and an escape point en route to a dominant victory. The redshirt freshman would drop his next match in tiebreakers to No. 20 Trevor Chumbley of Northwestern 1-2 due to a locked hands call and find himself in the consolation bracket. Hipolito will face Cobe Siebrecht of South Dakota State in his first consolation bout.
Smith had a déjà vu moment facing familiar foe – but different school – in Zach Glazier of South Dakota State. Smith won in similar fashion he did against higher seeded Glazier he did last season before the former Hawkeye became a Jackrabbit. Smith would secure a takedown in the closing minute of the bout to secure the victory and advance to the round of 16 against national champion No. 3 AJ Ferrari of Cal State University-Bakersfield. Smith would battle but ultimately fall 1-5 and proceed to the consolation bracket where he’ll meet Camden McDanel of Nebraska.
Church dropped his opening bout to No. 5 Julian Ramirez of Cornell 2-11 but would bounce back with a major decision against No. 21 Joseph Bianchi of Little Rock to keep his NCAA run alive and into the second day of competition. The redshirt freshman will have No. 11 Braeden Scoles of Illinois in the second round of consolations.
At heavyweight, Mullen would drop his first bout to No. 22 Ben Colbert of Army via 1-8. The redshirt freshman from Kearny, NJ native responded with a 9-6 win over familiar foe in Duke’s No. 27 Connor Barket to keep his NCAA journey alive. Mullen will face Ohio State’s returning All-American No. 12 Nick Feldman in his second consolation bout.
A Career of a Legend
Fan favorite and team culture embodiment, Sam Latona’s career came to a close in Philadelphia. The two-time All-American, ACC Champion, team captain, and epitome of what it means to be a Hokie battled all day but ultimately fell short as he toed the line for one last time.
Action resumes in Philadelphia with Session 3 at noon ET live on ESPNU with Session 4 beginning at 8PM ET live on ESPN2. Follow Hokies Wrestling on X, Instagram, and Facebook for all the latest news and updates.
Session 2
Round of 16
125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) DEC No. 14 Spencer Moore (UNC), 6-3
133: No. 6 Connor McGonagle (VT) DEC No. 11 Evan Frost (ISU), 5-0
149: No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) DEC No. 17 Jaden Abas (STAN), 5-1
157: No. 4 Rafael Hipolito (VT) loss No. 20 Trevor Chumbley (NW), 1-2 TB1
174: No. 24 Lennox Wolak (VT) DEC No. 25 Dalton Hawkins (ARMY), 4-1 SV
197: No. 19 Andy Smith (VT) loss No. 3 AJ Ferrari (CSUB), 1-5
Consolations Round 1
141: No. 12 Sam Latona (VT) loss No. 28 Danny Pucino (ILL), 8-12
165: No. 28 Mac Church (VT) MAJ DEC No. 21 Joseph Bianchi (UALR), 12-4
285: No. 11 Jimmy Mullen (VT) DEC No. 27 Connor Barket (DUKE), 9-6
Session 1
Round of 32
125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) DEC No. 30 Gylon Sims (CIT), 5-1
133: No. 6 Connor McGonagle (VT) DEC No. 27 Ethan Berginc (ARMY), 1-0
141: No. 12 Sam Latona (VT) loss No. 21 Dylan Chappel (BUCK), 4-7
149: No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) DEC No. 33 Travis Teague (OKST), 4-0
157: No. 4 Rafael Hipolito (VT) DEC No. 29 James Harrington (HARV), 10-3
165: No. 28 Mac Church (VT) loss No. 5 Julian Ramirez (COR), 2-11
174: No. 24 Lennox Wolak (VT) DEC No. 9 Carson Kharchla (OHST), 4-2
197: No. 19 Andy Smith (VT) DEC No. 14 Zach Glazier (SDSU), 4-2
285: No. 11 Jimmy Mullen (VT) loss No. 22 Ben Colbert (ARMY), 1-8