DETROIT – The Virginia Tech wrestling team opened the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championship with four Hokies going 2-0 on the day to advance into the quarterfinals. Three Hokies continue to remain in placement contention at the end of day one in Detroit.
No. 24 Sam Latona started off the Hokies' day with a 4-1 upset over No. 9 Devin Schroder (PUR) thanks to a takedown, an escape, and riding point. Latona then beat No. 25 Caleb Smith (APP ST) with two takedowns, an escape, and a riding point as the Hokie 2021 All-American advanced his way into the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. Latona will face No. 1 Nick Suriano (Michigan) in tomorrow's quarterfinals.
Another returning All-American for the Hokies was dominant in his outings on opening day. No. 4 Korbin Myers was clinical with a 12-0 major decision victory over No. 29 Jake Gliva (MINN) to start his fifth NCAA Championship. Myers was dominant leading 8-5 in his second bout before an injury default by No. 13 Brock Hudkins of Indiana late in the third period. Myer's will face No. 5 Austin DeSanto (IOWA) in a rematch of last championship's third place bout.
The ever-electric No. 11 Bryce Andonian went 2-0 to start his NCAA Championship, picking up wins over Lehigh's No. 22 Max Brignola and App State's No. 6 Ryan Millner. Andonian was dominant early and managed to earn the savvy 9-7 win as Brignola mounted a comeback in the winding period. Andonian went full upset mode and piled up points in his trademark throw-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink fashion. Andonian picked up two sets of six-point exchanges to secure the victory over the returning All-American from Boone, NC. Andonian will face No. 3 seed, Wisconsin's Austin Gomez in the quarterfinals.
No. 2 Mekhi Lewis controlled both his bouts to go 2-0 in his third NCAA Championship. The 2019 National Champion picked up a 15-7 bonus point major decision victory over No. 31 Dennis Robin (WVU) to start his day. Lewis then wrestled a savvy, veteran 8-5 decision over No. 18 Lance Runyon (UNI) to advance to the quarterfinals for the third straight time. Lewis improves his record at the national championship to 9-0. He faces ACC foe for the third time this season, No. 10 Clay Lautt (UNC), in tomorrow's quarterfinals.
No. 15 Hunter Bolen and No. 10 Nathan Traxler both won their first bouts on the championship side of the bracket besting No. 18 Abe Assad (IOWA) and No. 23 Quinn Miller (UVA), respectively. Bolen used a huge takedown to two nearfall in the closing seconds to pull past Assad and win 6-3 while Traxler went into sudden victory to win 6-4 over Miller. Bolen dropped his next bout to No. 2 Aaron Brooks (PSU) in the Round of 16 via 9-1. Traxler faced No. 5 Mason Parris (MICH) but fell 7-3 and will look to wrestleback in the consolation bracket.
No. 28 Connor Brady remains alive in wrestlebacks, picking up a 3-2 win over No. 21 Chase Saldate (MSU) in the consolation bracket after losing to No. 5 Quincy Monday (PRIN) 3-2 in the opening round.
No. 28 Collin Gerardi dropped both his bouts in his first NCAA trip – dropped a close 5-1 decision to No. 5 Andrew Alirez (UNCO) and falling to No. 21 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) 7-1.
Action resumes tomorrow Friday, March 18 at 11 a.m.
BOX SCORE
125 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 24 Sam Latona (VT) DEC No. 9 Devin Schroder (PUR), 4-1
Round of 16 – No. 24 Sam Latona (VT) DEC No. 25 Caleb Smith (APP), 6-2
133 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 4 Korbin Myers (VT) MAJ DEC No. 29 Jake Gliva (MINN), 12-0
Round of 16 – No. 4 Korbin Myers (VT) Inj Def over No. 13 Brock Hudkins (IND)
141 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 28 Collin Gerardi (VT) loss No. 5 Andrew Alirez (UNCO), 5-1 DEC
Consolation – No. 28 Collin Gerardi (VT) loss No. 21 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU), 7-1 DEC
149 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 11 Bryce Andonian (VT) DEC No. 22 Max Brignola (LEH), 9-7
Round of 16 – No. 11 Bryce Andonian (VT) DEC No. 6 Ryan Millner (APP), 16-11
157 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 28 Connor Brady (VT) loss No. 5 Quincy Monday (PRIN), 3-2 DEC
Consolation – No. 28 Connor Brady (VT) vs No. 21 Chase Saldate (MSU)
174 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (VT) MAJ DEC No. 31 Dennis Robin (WVU), 15-7
Round of 16 – No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (VT) DEC No. 18 Lance Runyon (UNI), 8-5
184 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 15 Hunter Bolen (VT) DEC No. 18 Abe Assad (IOWA), 6-3
Round of 16 – No. 15 Hunter Bolen (VT) loss No. 2 Brooks (PSU), 9-1 Maj Dec
285 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 10 Nathan Traxler (VT) DEC No. 23 Quinn Miller (UVA), 6-4 SV
Round of 16 – No. 10 Nathan Traxler (VT) loss No. 5 Mason Parris (MICH), 7-3
