OMAHA, Neb. – Virginia Tech wrestlers had a strong first day of competition at the United World Wrestling U23 and Junior Nationals hosted by USA Wrestling, winning a combined 23 of 26 matches with nine Hokies advancing to Sunday's quarterfinals.
Not only were the Hokies winning matches, but they were also ending them early as 17 of the 23 Tech wins Saturday were won by either fall or technical fall. Bryce Andonian had two pins including one in just 12 seconds.
The contingent at Juniors went an undefeated 15-0 with all six wrestlers moving on to the quarterfinals. Sam Hillegas, Clayton Ulrey, Andy Smith and Hunter Catka were all dominant in their first competition since coming to Blacksburg, winning all of their matches by technical fall. Connor Brady also had a tech fall victory and two decision wins.
Joey Prata, Collin Gerardi, Dakota Howard and Stan Smeltzer all moved on to Sunday's competition at the U23 Nationals. Gerardi, Howard and Smeltzer will start wrestling in the quarterfinals of their respective weight classes, while Prata will begin in the consolations of the 57-kilogram bracket.
Both tournaments will start up again Sunday at 10 a.m. ET at the CHI Health Center and can be streamed on FloWrestling with brackets and results available through FloArena.
U23 Nationals
57 kg
Joey Prata TF Nicholas Arborio, 13-2 (4:55)
Paul Bianchi dec. Joey Prata, 7-6
Joey Prata dec. Nicolas Aguilar, 9-4
61 kg
Collin Gerardi dec. Travis Ford-Melton, 4-3
Collin Gerardi TF Stefano McKinney, 11-1 (2:33)
79 kg
Dakota Howard dec. Luke Ewing, 8-2
Dakota Howard dec. Victor Marcelli, 6-6
86 kg
Stan Smeltzer TF John Maruri, 14-2 (1:17)
125 kg
John Borst TF Wyatt Wriedt, 10-0 (3:00)
Luke Luffman dec. John Borst, 7-2
Brian Andrews dec. John Borst, 3-2
Junior Nationals
61 kg
Sam Hillegas TF Owen Berry, 10-0 (1:08)
Sam Hillegas TF Malcolm Robinson, 10-0 (2:17)
Sam Hillegas TF Ryan Jack, 10-0 (3:55)
65 kg
Bryce Andonian TF Michael Kumlien, 10-0 (0:24)
Bryce Andonian F Vincent Mannella, 0:12
Bryce Andonian F Legend Lamer, 1:36
70 kg
Connor Brady TF Payne Carr, 10-0 (1:57)
Clayton Ulrey TF Gabriel Fiser, 10-0 (2:14)
Connor Brady dec. Kyle Mosher, 8-0
Clayton Ulrey TF Jeremy Ridge, 10-0 (0:29)
Connor Brady dec. Francis Morrissey, 12-6
Clayton Ulrey TF Andrew Garr, 13-3 (3:30)
92 kg
Andy Smith TF Cody Fisher, 11-1 (5:21)
125 kg
Hunter Catka TF Jessie Knight, 10-0 (0:22)
Hunter Catka TF Dakoda Powell, 10-0 (1:30)
