Tech Wrestling goes back-to-back as ACC Champions in dominant fashionTech Wrestling goes back-to-back as ACC Champions in dominant fashion
Wrestling

Tech Wrestling goes back-to-back as ACC Champions in dominant fashion

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BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling defends home to go back-to-back as 2026 ACC Champions with an impressive showing in front of a record 4,692 crowd in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, March 8. Tech decorated the podium with five individual champions and stormed the team race with 106 points followed by Stanford’s 84, and NC State’s 57. Additionally, the Hokies earned ten automatic qualifications – the fourth time in program history and this the third under head coach Tony Robie – to the 2026 NCAA Championship in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Champs

The first Hokie crowned conference champion was transfer Jaden Bullock in what could be the turnaround of the season. Bullock has rallied late in the season to punch his ticket to another NCAA Championship appearance but now representing the orange and maroon instead of Michigan’s maize and blue. Bullock had to dig deep late but would manage the winning takedown in sudden victory over yet again North Carolina’s Jake Dailey to secure the 184-pound crown in his first ACC Championship appearance.

Finding his rhythm and catching fire late is Sonny Sasso with an emphatic performance in his first post season run. The young Hokie was brilliant all day to pick up three wins with two via bonus points to culminate in a dominant finals performance at 197-pounds. In the finals, Sasso would avenge a major decision loss with one of his own over Stanford’s top seed Angelo Posada in what was a brilliant match by Sasso. Sasso would rack up three takedowns, a stall point, an escape, and a riding point to flip the script and become the first 197-pound champion for the Hokies since 2018. En route to the finals, Sasso would avenge a dual loss against No. 2 Mac Stout in the semifinals with a takedown in sudden victory on his way to wrestling on Sunday night.

It was almost poetic way to put a stamp on the evening with top seed and defending conference champion, Eddie Ventresca, going back-to-back at 125-pounds while clinching the repeat team title for the Hokies with a win on Sunday night. Ventresca met the No. 2 seed Nico Provo (STAN) in what was a different bout from their previous meeting in the dual earlier in conference competition. Different approach but same outcome with Ventresca taking the 2-1 decision in tie breakers to defend his title as he turns his attention to Cleveland.

The freshman phenom’s incredible run will culminate in Cleveland after a dominant Sunday to claim the 133-pound conference title. Aaron Seidel continues to amaze as he added to his already impressive debut season resume – an 18-3 tech fall over All-American Tyler Knox of Stanford in the finals on Sunday night. Known for his top dominance, Seidel was clinical on the feet notching six takedowns en route to his first ACC title and the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Capping the evening for Tech’s fifth champion of the tournament was another freshman who has stepped up in a big way for the Hokies, Collin Gaj. After suffering an injury and a loss back in February, the Quakertown native returned to action and seems to have not missed a beat with a victory over the top seed on Sunday night. Meeting in the finals for their season rubber match, it was Gaj versus NC State’s Koy Buesgens in an action filled but low scoring affair that needed extra time. Both were in on multiple attacks but offense was a luxury and defense was at a premium. Tied at 1 headed into tie-breakers, it was Collin Gaj with a 0:30 rideout and an escape to seal the deal and earn the 149 crown. Earlier in the day, Gaj had to defeat No. 2 seed Aden Valencia of Stanford and did not disappoint with a slick takedown and mat wrestling being the difference on his way to a finals appearance.

Semifinal Frenzy and Ten Tickets Punched to Cleveland

The Hokies went on a semifinal heater – winning eight out of nine bouts to send eight into the finals and build a comfortable lead in the team race ahead of Stanford in what was a tight team battle. Outside of the champions, Tech saw upset victories from No. 3 Mac Church take out the No. 2 seed EJ Parco of Stanford and No. 4 Sergio Desiante defeating No. 1 Luca Augustine, while No. 2 Ethen Miller wrestled to his seed with a controlling victory over No. 3 Dylan Evans of Pitt. With putting eight into the finals, Tech also automatically qualified eight tickets to Cleveland for the 2026 NCAA Championships. Tech also added ten bonus point victories on the day to boost the team score.

Also joining the party to the NCAA Championships were Tom Crook and Jimmy Mullen. Mullen opened his tournament with a fall over UNC’s Jacob Levy to the home crowd’s delight but would drop his semifinal bout to No. 2 Dayton Pitzer of Pitt. Mullen would rattle two victories on the backside for a third place finish and his second qualification to the big show in as many attempts. Crook showed no quit on the day after suffering two losses, he would battle No. 5 Briar Priest of Pitt for the last remaining allocation at 141-pounds and complete the Hokies’ traveling party with a 4-1 decision to qualify for his third NCAA Championship.

What’s Next

The Hokies turn their sights to the 2026 NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio on March 19-21. This is just the fourth time in program history the Hokies have qualified ten wrestlers and the third time since Tony Robie had been elevated to head coach nine seasons ago. Follow Hokies Wrestling on X, Instagram, and Facebook for all the latest news and updates. Go Hokies!