No.7 Hokies defeat No. 24 Cardinal in Cassell ColiseumNo.7 Hokies defeat No. 24 Cardinal in Cassell Coliseum
Wrestling

No.7 Hokies defeat No. 24 Cardinal in Cassell Coliseum

Opens in a new window Support SERTC Opens in a new window Stay Connected Opens in a new window VT vs Stanford Gallery

BLACKSBURG – No. 7 Virginia Tech wrestling (7-2, 2-0) chopped down visiting No. 24 Stanford (3-6, 1-2) in a 22-14 thriller Friday night in Cassell Coliseum. Making a guest appearance were legends Mekhi Lewis and Bryce Andonian sitting alongside Caleb Henson on the Hokies’ bench. With the stars out tonight, the Hokies won six out of ten bouts – two via bonus point – in front of 3,273 loyal fans as Tech’s true freshman class continuing to shine.

Ventresca Setting the Tone

The unquestioned leader of the squad, No. 3 Eddie Ventresca, got the Hokies rolling early in Blacksburg with a controlling 6-2 victory over No. 12 Nico Provo at 125-pounds. Ventresca was offensive early with multiple takedown attempts early to earn a stall call against Provo in the first, but it would be the third period when the Hokie would open up the bout. Tied at one a piece via escapes, Ventresca went feet to back for a takedown and two nearfall to take the bout and put Tech on the board.

Phenomenal Freshmen Firing

With the unfortunate news of redshirt freshman Dillon Campbell’s stellar campaign coming to an end due to injury, it was next man up for the Hokies. Answering the call at 133-pounds was true freshman Aaron Seidel who stepped in to face returning All-American No. 7 Tyler Knox on Friday night. Already owning an 11-0 record with all via bonus points, Seidel lived up to the billing with an utterly controlling victory – securing two takedowns, four total nearfall, a reversal, and allotting 4:24 of riding time – in his Hokie dual debut to a standing ovation.

It was a top-10 bout at 149-pounds with No. 10 Collin Gaj taking on No. 9 Aden Valencia in a second meeting between the two. In a bout filled with stalwart defense and stalemate scoreless scrambles, the Hokie freshman who remain calm and composed entering the final period. Gaj already leading 1-0 via escape, Valencia chose bottom to begin the third. Gaj would put on a strong ride to notch 1:48 riding time to take the 2-1 victory and end with some animation to fire up the home crowd.

The third true freshman to take the mat was high school New Jersey standout and the No. 12 overall recruit from the class of 2025, Ryan Burton. No. 14 at 165-pounds, Burton opened the scoring with a slick Metzger takedown in the second period and would add another in the third period plus an escape and 1:24 riding time for the 8-2 victory over EJ Parco.

Desiante Holds On, Mullen Brings it Home

At 174-pounds, No. 33 Sergio Desiante got another win, but not without digging deep to fend off a short-time takedown attempt by Stanford’s Collin Guffey. Desiante tallied two takedowns in the first period to lead early then add two escapes in the third before gritty defense to take the 8-6 victory.

Taking the Hokies home was crowd-favorite No.16 Jimmy Mullen at heavyweight against Luke Duthie. With the Hokies leading and the dual on the line, it was Mullen getting the crowd on its feet with an early takedown and then would add another to add to the Cassell frenzy. Mullen would end the dual with an emphatic pin with 0:02 left in the first period to take the bout and seal the dual for the Hokies.

The Hokies turn their attention to a top-10 dual battle against rivals No. 8 NC State at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 30 at Reynolds Coliseum. Follow Hokies Wrestling on X, Instagram, and Facebook for all the latest Virginia Tech wrestling news and updates.

No. 7 Virginia Tech - 22 | No. 24 Stanford - 14

125 | No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) DEC No. 12 Nico Provo (STAN), 6-2

133 | Aaron Seidel (VT) MAJ DEC No. 7 Tyler Knox (STAN), 13-0

141 | No. 22 Tom Crook (VT) loss via dec No. 18 Jack Consiglio (STAN), 5-6

149 | No. 10 Collin Gaj (VT) DEC No. 9 Aden Valencia (STAN), 2-1

157 | No. 16 Ethen Miller (VT) loss via maj dec No. 10 Daniel Cardenas (STAN), 2-11

165 | No. 14 Ryan Burton (VT) DEC EJ Parco (STAN), 8-2

174 | No. 33 Sergio Desiante (VT) DEC Collin Guffey (STAN), 8-6

184 | No. 31 Jaden Bullock (VT) loss via dec No. 33 Abraham Wojcikiewicz (STAN), 5-6

197 | No. 15 Sonny Sasso (VT) loss via maj dec No. 17 Angelo Posada (STAN), 4-13

285 | No. 16 Jimmy Mullen (VT) FALL Luke Duthie (STAN), 7-1 2:58