Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech alum and current volunteer assistant coach Ty Walz won the gold medal at 97 kg at the Bill Farrell Memorial International Open on Saturday at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Walz automatically qualifies for the upcoming World Team Trials in May with the first place finish. Walz is the second Hokie to ever win gold in international freestyle competition, joining 2013 Dave Schultz Memorial 60 kg winner Devin Carter. It's also Walz's third freestyle medal after earning silver at the Cerro Pelado in Cuba back in February and bronze at this past year's U23 World Championships.
Competing for the Southeast Regional Training Center, Walz claimed a 4-2 decision over Titan Mercury's Deron Winn in the gold medal match. Walz defeated Braden of Sunkist Kids by an 11-2 decision in the semis after topping the New York Athletic Club's Austin Schafer in his first match of the day.
Virginia Tech director of performance Tyler Graff went 2-1 at the 61 kg where he took second after dropping a 6-5 decision to Oklahoma State All-American Jon Morrison in the final. Staff member Ethan Aguigui went 0-2 in his first outing with the SERTC.