Hokie ClubPHILADELPHIA, PA โ History has been written yet again in the Virginia Tech Wrestling record book as defending national champion Caleb Henson became the first Hokie to make back-to-back national finals appearances with a win on Friday night in the Wells Fargo Arena. Henson joins Mekhi Lewis (2019, 1st; 2022, 2nd) as the only Hokies to make two finals appearances.
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โ Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) March 22, 2025
For the second time in program history, we have a two-time finalist. The Champ will defend his crown tomorrow night!#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies ๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/xZ3vh2sVpC
The King Wills His Way
Caleb โThe Hitmanโ Henson faced familiar foe Dylan DโEmilio of Ohio State in the semifinals on Friday evening for the right to advance to the finals on Saturday night. Henson would surrender the first points off a DโEmilio reversal in the second period but would cut the lead with an escape and would add another after an escape in the third period to tie it up. The Hitman would strike again, this time securing the takedown and earning a riding time point to take the 6-2 decision. With his win, he faces rival No. 2 Ridge Lovett from Nebraska in the finals at 7 p.m. Saturday evening.
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โ Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) March 22, 2025
Caleb Henson will defend his crown tomorrow night and look to become the first two-time champion in program history.#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies ๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/qfmhrsjF1O
Highs and Lows
The Hokies finished session four with three All-Americans โ still one of three programs to garner 3 or more All-Americans in now 12 straight seasons โ as Connor McGonagle secured the elusive honor for the first time with a blood round victory over returning All-American Dylan Shawver of Rutgers at 133-pounds. McGonagle secured the only offensive points of the match with a takedown in the opening period and would never look back, riding an escape and riding time point enroute to a guaranteed podium finish for the senior. McGonagle would then defeat Stanfordโs Tyler Knox in the placement round to advance and secure at worst a sixth-place finish.
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โ Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) March 22, 2025
Long may the road be but high is the reward.
Connor McGonagle, you are an ALL-AMERICAN.#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies ๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/tr8aQdMndP
Eddie Ventresca dropped a tight tiebreaker bout to Oklahoma Stateโs Troy Sprately on Friday night. Ventresca was in on multiple attacks with near finishes but just couldnโt get awarded the takedown. Tied at 1 heading into sudden victory, Ventresca had a hold of both ankles but after review, no takedown was called. Ventresca would try to fight his way back after giving up an escape and takedown, but it was just too little too late, dropping the bout 4-6. He will drop to the consolation bracket looking for a third-place finish.
Session five features placement and medal bouts beginning at 11 a.m. ET live on ESPNU and finals at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
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Finals
No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) vs No. 2 Ridge Lovett (NEB)ย
Placement Match
125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) vs No. 1 Luke Lilledahl (PSU)
133: No. 6 Connor McGonagle (VT) vs No. 4 Zeth Romney (POLY)
Semifinals
125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) loss No. 7 Troy Spratley (OKST), 4-6 TB
149: No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) DEC No. 13 Dylan DโEmilio (OHST), 6-2
Consolations Placement
133: No. 6 Connor McGonagle (VT) DEC No. 12 Tyler Knox (STAN), 1-0
ย Round of 12 Consolations
133: No. 6 Connor McGonagle (VT) DEC No. 10 Dylan Shawver (RUT), 5-0
174: No. 24 Lennox Wolak (VT) loss No. 14 Matty Singleton (NCST), 8-13
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