No. 7 Hokies take down rivals No. 8 NC State in RaleighNo. 7 Hokies take down rivals No. 8 NC State in Raleigh
Wrestling

No. 7 Hokies take down rivals No. 8 NC State in Raleigh

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RALEIGH, NC โ€“ No. 7 Virginia Tech wrestling (8-2, 3-0) remained perfect in conference competition with an emphatic 21-12 victory over rivals No. 8 NC State (12-4, 3-1) on Friday night to hand the Wolfpack their first loss at home since 2019. In a dual that saw Tech extend the win streak over NC State to three-straight, Hokies won six of ten bouts with two coming by way of bonus and a signature win for freshman Collin Gaj over a top five opponent.

Death, Taxes, and Eddie Ventresca Leading the Way

In the true rivalry of the ACC and among the best rivalries in NCAA wrestling, it was only fitting that a top 10 dual started with a top five match-up โ€“ two-time All-American and defending ACC champion No. 3 Eddie Ventresca versus defending national champion No. 5 Vincent Robinson. Ventresca continued to find a way to victory to remain perfect against Robinson โ€“ previous three meetings ending 4-1 with Ventresca securing the only takedowns in those bouts โ€“ this time going into tiebreaker criteria. Ventresca held on for the riding time differential to move 4-0 all-time against the Packโ€™s national champion.

The Young Keystone State Shine Again

In what has become a theme for the Hokies this season, the phenomenal freshmen continue to shine and in no bigger stage to date than in enemy territory. ACC Wrestler of the Week No. 7 Aaron Seidel continues to blitz the field with his most recent reaping coming against veteran No. 33 Zach Redding at 133-pounds. Seidel start early racking up 11 points in the first period thanks to a takedown and two sets of near fall to take the early lead. The Pennsylvania native would dump another takedown and secure two more back points early in the second period for the 16-0 tech fall to improve to 13-0 with ten techs, two pins, and one major decision to keep a 100% bonus rate.

No. 9 Collin Gaj is hitting his groove en route to his ninth straight win in his freshman campaign with a signature win over No. 5 Koy Buesgens via 6-0 decision at 149-pounds. Gaj displayed stingy defense and positioning in the first to keep it scoreless before opening up the bout in the second with four-point near fall and a ride out. Gaj would add an escape in the third period to get the shutout victory and flip the outcome from their previous meeting at the National Duals Invitational this past November.

Transfersโ€™ Contributions Adding Up

No. 16 Ethen Miller is coming into form with his best performance in the Hokiesโ€™ lineup to the tune of a 12-1 major decision over Luca Felix at 157-pounds. Miller secured two takedowns, a set of near fall, over two minutes of riding time, and an escape for crucial points to add to Techโ€™s team score. The graduate transfer improves to 9-3 on the season and continues to build his resume in his final year of eligibility.

Another transfer who came up clutch for the visiting team was Virginia native, No. 32 Jaden Bullock. The transfer showed poise and veteran presence at 184-pounds to secure a 2-0 victory over Donald Cates to stop momentum after the Pack picked up two victories at 165-pounds and 174-pounds. Bullock showed stingy defense on a deep shot early and then would put on a gritty ride out in the second period before adding an escape in the third to give the Hokies some breathing room with two bouts remaining.

Sasso Rebounds in a Big Way

After a major decision loss last weekend, No. 16 Sonny Sasso was tested once again but kept his composure and battled back with an 11-10 firefight against No. 25 Patrick Brophy. Trailing 6-10 entering the third period, Sasso notched an escape and a clutch takedown to tie it up with 1:10 remaining in the period. Sasso would then ride out the rest of the period to secure riding time advantage which would ultimately be the difference maker at 197-pounds and ice the dual for the Hokies.

The win marks the sixth top 25 team win for the Hokies this season as they turn their attention to Virginia next Friday night at 7 p.m. ET in Charlottesville. Tech travels to John Paul Jones Arena looking for their 14th straight win against the Cavaliers.

No. 7 Virginia Tech -ย  21 | No. 8 NC State - 12

125 | No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) DEC No. 5 Vincent Robinson (NCSU), 2-2 TB1

133 | No. 7 Aaron Seidel (VT) TECH FALL No. 33 Zach Redding (NCSU) 16-0 3:39

141 | No. 22 Tom Crook (VT) loss via dec No. 13 Ryan Jack (NCSU), 2-7

149 | No. 9 Collin Gaj (VT) DEC No. 5 Koy Buesgens (NCSU), 6-0

157 | No. 16 Ethen Miller (VT) MAJ DEC Luca Felix (NCSU), 12-1

165 | No. 12 Ryan Burton (VT) loss via dec No. 13 Will Denny (NCSU), 5-8

174 | No. 31 Sergio Desiante (VT) loss via dec No. 4 Matthew Singleton (NCSU), 4-5

184 | No. 32 Jaden Bullock (VT) DEC Donald Cates (NCSU), 2-0

197 | No. 16 Sonny Sasso (VT) DEC No. 25 Patrick Brophy (NCSU), 11-10

285 | No. 16 Jimmy Mullen (VT) loss via dec No. 2 Isaac Trumble (NCSU), 0-7