Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The ninth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team steamrolled NC State Sunday afternoon in an ACC dual match, winning the first six bouts and eight of 10 total en route to a dominating 29-9 win at the Moss Arts Center to improve to 3-0 in the conference.
Kevin Norstrem got things off to a good start with an 8-2 decision over Bryce Meredith at 133 pounds and then All-American Devin Carter brought the crowd to its feet with a first-period pin of No. 18 Sam Speno at 141 pounds. Speno was in on Carter’s leg, but Carter turned that into his offense and put Speno on his back, pinning him at the 2:40 mark. Sal Mastriani had to use a reversal late at 149 pounds to escape with a 7-6 win over Sam Melikian. Melikian was awarded a reversal at the buzzer which would have won the bout, but it was overturned by the referee after review, giving Mastriani the win. NC State was then deducted a team point after an unsportsmanlike conduct by Melikian.
Nick Brascetta took care of business at 157 pounds, rolling to a 14-5 major decision over Chad Pyke to keep the Hokies rolling. Chad Strube, unranked at 165 pounds, turned No. 19 Max Rohskopf three times and rolled to a 14-4 major decision. After the break, 12th-ranked Zach Epperly took care of business, picking up an 8-4 win at 174 pounds. NC State (14-5, 1-2 ACC) finally got on the board at 184 pounds as Nicky Hall earned a 10-2 major decision over Brooks Morrison. Jared Haught then won his second match of the weekend in impressive fashion, beating Michael Boykin 8-3 at 197 pounds. Defending national champion Nick Gwiazdowski, ranked first in the country at heavyweight, caught Tech’s Ty Walz in the third period, taking him down flat to his back after a scramble for the pin at the 5:24 mark.
The final bout saw fourth-ranked Joey Dance fall behind early, but rally with four takedowns to beat Joe DeAngelo 11-5 at 125 pounds to wrap up the dual.
Tech (12-2, 3-0 ACC) will be back in action on Saturday night, hosting Duke (9-4, 1-2 ACC) on Senior Night. The match will start at 7 p.m. and seniors Devin Carter and Chris Moon will be honored before the match. With a win, the Hokies would clinch the ACC championship for the dual meet portion of the schedule. The Hokies have also won the past two ACC Championships in the tournament format.
#9 Virginia Tech (12-2, 3-0 ACC) 29, NC State (14-5, 1-2 ACC) 9
133: #17 Kevin Norstrem (VT) dec. Bryce Meredith, 8-2
141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) fall #18 Sam Speno, 2:40
149: #10 Sal Mastriani (VT) dec. Sam Melikian, 7-6 *
157: #5 Nick Brascetta (VT) maj. dec. Chad Pyke, 14-5
165: Chad Strube (VT) maj. dec. #19 Max Rohskopf, 14-4
174: #12 Zach Epperly (VT) dec. Pete Renda, 8-4
184: Nicky Hall (NCSU) maj. dec. Brooks Morrison, 10-2
197: Jared Haught (VT) dec. Michael Boykin, 8-3
285: #1 Nick Gwiazdowski (NCSU) fall #8 Ty Walz, 5:24
125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Joe DeAngelo, 11-5
Att: 672
* NCSU deducted team point for unsportsmanlike conduct at 149 pounds
NCSU given two bench warnings (149, 125)
Additionally, several Tech wrestlers competed in the Edinboro Open on Saturday with freshman Solomon Chishko taking home the title at 149 pounds with an impressive 4-0 day.
141: Dennis Gustafson (unattached; 3-2)
First Round: def. Matt Bryer (Lock Haven), MD 14-4
Second Round: def. Dylan Realbuto (Cornell), 8-6
Quarterfinals: lost to Dalton Brady (Arizona State), 5-3
Consolations: def. Eli Bienstock (Cornell), 8-4
Consolations: lost to Matthew Kraus (Arizona State), 10-5
149: Cameron Bowen (1-1*)
First Round: def. Jared Sample (Gannon), 8-2
Second Round: lost to Connor Muli (Hofstra), 10-9
Consolations: lost to Jonathan Carrera (Wyoming Seminary), 5-2 *
149: Solomon Chishko (unattached; 4-0, CHAMPION)
First Round: bye
Second Round: def. Malik Amine (unattached), forfeit*
Quarterfinals: def. Tyson Dippery (Rutgers), MD 9-0
Semifinals: def. Laike Gardner (Lehigh), 6-4
Finals: def. Christian Pagdilao (Arizona State), 7-2
157: Jake Spengler (1-1*)
First Round: lost to Oliver Pierce (Arizona State), MD 11-1
Consolations: def. Sam Ziff (Edinboro), 5-0
Consolations: lost to Gary Dinmore (Rhino Wrestling Club), 8-4 *
165: David Bergida (3-2)
First Round: lost to Jordan Atienza (Central Michigan), MD 14-3
Consolations: def. Zach Heeter (West Virginia), 5-4
Consolations: def. Dillon Gavlock (Lock Haven), 7-3
Consolations: def. Anthony Deprez (Binghamton), 10-4
Consolations: lost to Ty Schoffstall (Edinboro), 10-5
174: Tae Leary (0-1*)
First Round: lost to Ryan Harris (Ohio State), 6-3
Consolations: lost to Dillon Artigliere (Finger Lakes Prep), Fall *
285: Dan Garwood (1-2)
First Round: def. Shaun Heist (Bloomsburg), MD 9-1
Quarterfinals: lost to Samuel Breese (Kent State), 3-1 (SV)
Consolations: lost to Jake Gunning (Buffalo), 7-3
285: Brandon Taylor (2-1*)
First Round: def. Devin Nye (Kent State), 8-2
Second Round: def. Jake Gunning (Buffalo), 5-2
Quarterfinals: lost to Nicholas Gajdzik (unattached), 2-0 *
Consolations: lost to Shaun Heist (Bloomsburg), Fall 0:48
* - non-NCAA opponent; result doesn’t count toward season/career record