Detroit – After three sessions of action in Detroit, the Virginia Tech wrestling stands in seventh place behind strong performances behind No. 2 Mekhi Lewis and No. 11 Bryce Andonian. Lewis and Andonian both advanced into Friday's semifinal round at 8 p.m. after securing All-American honors.
In his third trip to the national championship, Lewis secured All-American honors with his quarterfinal victory. Lewis battled No. 10 Clay Lautt (UNC) for the third time this season and came away with a 4-2 decision victory as he controlled the entirety of the bout. Lewis secured an early takedown and added an escape along with riding time to secure his spot in the semifinals where he'll face No. 3 Logan Massa (MICH).
No. 11 Bryce Andonian put on a brilliant display of his must-see TV style as he knocked off No. 3 Austin Gomez in the quarterfinals to secure his first All-American honor. Andonian went highlight reel throws and reattacks to pull away late 8-5 before pinning Gomez with :30 remaining in the match to electrify Little Caesar's Arena. Andonian will face No. 10 Ridge Lovett (NEB) in his semifinal bout.
No. 4 Korbin Myers fell to No. 5 Austin Desanto (IOWA) in the quarterfinals, 9-0. Myers will look to wrestle back to find the podium as he faces No. 26 Matt Ramos (PUR) in the blood round match to secure All-American honors. No. 24 Sam Latona dropped to the backside after losing to No. 1 Nick Suriano (MICH) via pin 2:16 into the bout. Latona will face No. 6 Eric Barnett (WISC) in his next bout to make his return to the podium after a sixth-place finish last year.
No. 15 Hunter Bolen, No. 28 Connor Brady, and No. 10 Nathan Traxler fell in the consolations to end their NCAA Championship run.
Action resumes this evening Friday, March 18 at 8 p.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
Quarterfinal – No. 24 Sam Latona (VT) loss via fall No. 1 Nick Suriano (MICH), 2:19
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)
Quarterfinals – No. 4 Korbin Myers (VT) loss via maj dec No. 5 Austin Desanto (IOWA), 9-0
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
Quarterfinals – No. 11 Bryce Andonian (VT) FALL No. 3 Austin Gomez (WISC), 6:30
157 |
Champ. Round 1 – No. 28 Connor Brady (VT) loss No. 5 Quincy Monday (PRIN), 3-2 DEC
Consolation – No. 28 Connor Brady (VT) DEC No. 21 Chase Saldate (MSU), 3-2
Consolation – No. 28 Connor Brady (VT) loss No. 22 Dazjon Casto (CIT), 3-1 SV
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
Quarterfinals – No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (VT) DEC No. 10 Clay Lautt (UNC), 4-2
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
Consolation – No. 15 Hunter Bolen (VT) loss No. 17 Jeremiah Kent (MIZZ), 4-2
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), 3-7
Consolation – No. 10 Nathan Traxler (VT) DEC No. 25 Isaac Reid (LHU), 6-5
Consolation – No. 10 Nathan Traxler (VT) loss No. 18 Lewis Fernandes (COR), 10-4
