Hokies' Grapplers Drop Panthers for Fifth Straight Win

Tenth-ranked Virginia Tech took care of business Friday night against No. 18 Pitt in Blacksburg, 28-9. At full strength for the first time in weeks, the Hokies looked to continue their string of recent ACC dual victories and did so in convincing fashion behind several strong performances from familiar faces in Tony Robie’s lineup. Friday night’s win was Virginia Tech’s fourth against ranked opponents. 

The Hokies won 7 of 10 matches, 5 of which came by bonus points.

Match results:

• 125 lbs: No. 5 Eddie Ventresca (VT) Maj. Dec. No. 23 Nik Babin (Pitt), 15-1
• 133 lbs: No. 15 Conor McGonagle (VT) Maj. Dec. Tyler Chappell (Pitt), 13-0
• 141 lbs: No. 10 Sam Latona (VT) Dec. Anthony Santaniello (Pitt), 10-7
• 149 lbs: No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) Dec. No. 23 Finn Solomon (Pitt), 4-1 SV
• 157 lbs: No. 22 Dylan Evans (Pitt) Dec. No. 11 Rafael Hipolito (VT), 4-1 SV
• 165 lbs: Jared Keslar (Pitt) Dec. No. 30 Mac Church, 5-1
• 174 lbs: No. 26 Lennox Wolak (VT) Fall No. 18 Luca Augustine, 4:33
• 184 lbs: No. 22 Thomas Stewart, Jr. (VT) Maj. Dec. Chase Kranitz (Pitt), 16-4
• 197 lbs: No. 10 Mac Stout (Pitt) Dec. No. 12 Andy Smith (VT), 7-3
• 285 lbs: No. 13 Jimmy Mullen (VT) Maj. Dec. No.15 Dayton Pitzer (Pitt), 13-4

Highlights:

Eddie Ventresca continued to impress in his overwhelming bonus point win in which he displayed his bag of slick takedown moves.

Conor Mcgonagle’s suffocating offense shut out his opponent as he continues to improve coming to the conclusion of ACC competition. 

Sam Latona methodically notched a hard-fought victory in another steady performance, overcoming adversity throughout the bout.

In what proved to be one of his toughest matches of the season, Caleb Henson found a way to claim a sudden victory with a textbook takedown. 

Lennox Wolak proved that he's seemingly has come into his own as of late with his second-round fall that seized the momentum for the Hokies after they dropped the dual's first two matches.

TJ Stewart, Jr. was a man on a mission in yet another bonus point victory, again proving he’s back to his winning ways after his earlier struggles this season.

Jimmy Mullen remained a consistent force at the top of the Hokies’ lineup, earning a dominant win over his ranked opponent.  

Virginia Tech faces rival NC State in Blacksburg next Friday, February 21st for its final dual of the season in a matchup that almost certainly will have major implications for both ACC and NCAA tournament seeding.