Hokie ClubDURHAM, NC – No. 11 Virginia Tech wrestling (5-2, 1-1) traveled south to Cameron Indoor on Friday night for another Atlantic Coast Conference edition of Friday Night Duals against the Duke Blue Devils (4-11, 0-3). Despite missing three starters in the lineup, Tech won six of ten bouts – all by way of bonus – to defeat the Blue Devils, 31-15.
Bonus Points the Name of the Game
- Tech saw dominant wins from their stars to the tune of five tech falls – all without surrendering a takedown – along with a forfeit to start off the dual. The Hokies outscored the Blue Devils 99-35 while without the services of No. 1 Caleb Henson, No. 7 Andy Smith, and No. 10 Rafael Hipolito Jr.
- Since returning from injury No. 18 Connor McGonagle (133-pounds) has recorded back-to-back bonus point victory wins with his 16-1 tech fall on Friday night. The graduate transfer improves to 5-1 on the season.
- A staple in the Hokies’ lineup, No. 10 Sam Latona is thriving in his final season – and third weight-class of his career – improving to 18-6. The only two-time All-American in Alabama history is riding a 42% bonus rate after his tech fall victory in Cameron as he looks to become the first three weight class All-American for the Hokies.
- Graduate transfer and 2024 All-American Lennox Wolak got back on track with a blistering 21-6 tech fall in just 2:14 to snap a three-match losing streak. The graduate transfer registered nine takedowns in the first period to register Tech’s quickest victory on the evening.
- The 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year, ACC Champion, and All-American Thomas Stewart Jr. is also finding his rhythm with his second consecutive bonus point victory heading into the home stretch of the season. Stewart poured on 19 points thanks to six takedowns for another tech fall this season despite a slow start to the year.
- Redshirt freshman No. 14 Jimmy Mullen continues his strong season to improve to 14-3 in his first year as a starter. Mullen was all offense with another dominant win over another ranked opponent – a 20-5 tech fall to end the match and dual right at the start of the third period. Mullen has registered five wins over ranked opponents thus far with a 67% bonus rate.
The Hokies return to action on Friday, January 31 at 7 p.m. as they host Virginia for the 2025 edition of the Commonwealth Clash in Cassell Coliseum live on ACC Network. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Follow Hokies Wrestling on X, Instagram, and Facebook for all the latest Virginia Tech Wrestling news and updates.
No. 11 Virginia Tech Hokies – 31, Duke Blue Devils – 15
ACC Dual Results, January 24, 2025
125 – No. 5 Eddie Ventresca (VT) | FORFEIT |
133 – No. 18 Connor McGonagle (VT) | TECH FALL | Raymond Adams (Duke), 16-1, 7:00
141 – No. 10 Sam Latona (VT) | TECH FALL | Christian Coleman (Duke), 22-6, 6:12
149 – Sean O’Donnell (Duke) | FALL | Chris Bacchioni (VT), 4:16
157 – Logan Ferrero (Duke) | DEC | Luke Robie (VT), 6-0
165 – No. 29 Aidan Wallace (Duke) | DEC | No. 23 Mac Church (VT), 4-1 SV
174 – No. 24 Lennox Wolak (VT) | TECH FALL | Ryan Beirne (Duke), 21-6, 2:14
184 – No. 28 Thomas Stewart, Jr. (VT) | TECH FALL | David Hussey (Duke), 19-4, 4:13
197 – Kwasi Bonsu (Duke)| DEC | Glean Gonzalez (VT), 10-3
285 – No. 14 Jimmy Mullen (VT) | TECH FALL | No. 29 Connor Barket (Duke), 20-5, 5:13