Hokie ClubATLANTA – Two Hokies will participate in the 2015 NWCA All-Star Classic Sunday, opening their season against some of the best competition the NCAA has to offer.
Returning All-American Tyler Walz will face NCAA runner-up Adam Coon of Michigan in the first appearance in the event for each athlete. Walz came into last year’s tournament as the No. 10 seed and finished in seventh place, helping lead Virginia Tech to a 10th-place finish as a team in St. Louis. This isn’t the first matchup between these two athletes, with Walz taking home a 5-3 overtime victory at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last December.
“It will be a big time atmosphere in Atlanta, hopefully the Hokie Nation will be out in full force,” said associate head coach Tony Robie. “Competing against a guy like Coon in this type of atmosphere is great simulation for the NCAA tournament. We could very well see this match up in the NCAA semi finals this year, having the opportunity to do a trial run early in the season will go along way in helping [Walz] prepare for March.”
All-American Zach Epperly will face preseason no. 1-ranked Kyle Crutchmer of Oklahoma State in what will be the first meeting of the two wrestlers and the first appearance at the NWCA All-Star Classic for Epperly.
Voted as the state’s top rookie by the VaSID, Epperly finished his debut season with 24 victories and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2015 NCAA Championships and earned All-American status.
“This is an exciting opportunity for [Epperly] and a great way to start the season off after a fantastic freshman year,” said Robie. “I know Zach is excited about this match up and the opportunity to wrestle no.1-ranked Crutchmer. I expect an exciting match as both wrestlers are tremendously athletic guys.”
The NWCA All-Star Classic will be broadcast live on ESPNU beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Hokies fans can catch Epperly and Walz in the 174- and 285 pound matches, respectively.