Latona, Myers Crowned ACC Champions in Raleigh

Jack Brizendine

March 1, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. — After defeating him in dramatic fashion three weeks ago in Blacksburg, No. 1 Sam Latona faced N.C. State’s No. 2 Jakob Camacho in the 125-pound ACC Championship match on Sunday.

Despite being two of the most explosive wrestlers in the tournament, Latona and Camacho finished the first period with no score.

After starting the second period in the bottom position, Camacho escaped to take the one-point advantage. He carried that lead into the final period.

Latona began the third period on bottom and quickly escaped to tie the match with 1:53 seconds left. Nobody scored after that point, sending the match to the overtime period.

Latona couldn’t complete the late takedown attempt in the first overtime period, extending the match to two more 30-second periods. An escape from Latona in the first 30-second period broke the tie, giving the Alabama native the 2-1 lead.

Camacho tried to escape in the following period after starting on bottom, but Latona wouldn’t let him break free, securing the 125-pound ACC title for the redshirt freshman.

No. 2 Korbin Myers also earned ACC Champion honors for his win over No. 1 Micky Phillippi at 133.

Myers scored the only points in the opening period with a late takedown, taking a 2-0 into the second period.

Philippi cut into Myers’ lead with an escape in the middle of the second period, cutting Myers’ lead to one. An escape in the first fifteen seconds of the third period iced the ACC Championship for Myers, 3-1.

Bryce Andonian, Hunter Bolen and Hunter Catka also made appearances in championship matches, with all three suffering losses. The trio punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament with finals appearances.

Dakota Howard had an impressive showing in the earlier matches of the day, placing third after entering the tournament as a four seed, cementing a spot in the NCAA tournament. Howard’s day was highlighted by a thrilling and sudden 8-6 victory over Pitt’s Jared McGill in the first round.

No. 3 Connor Brady narrowly fell in the semifinals to Justin McCoy at 157, 8-6, but was able to land an NCAA tournament berth with a third-place finish.

Sam Hillegas and Andy Smith both lost in the first round after entering the tournament as five seeds at 141 and 197.

After suffering an injury against Pitt two weeks ago, No. 2 Mekhi Lewis medically withdrew from the tournament. He is expected to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and the Hokies are optimistic he will be fully healthy by that point.

Seven Hokies are projected to compete in the NCAA tournament beginning on March 18 in St. Louis, Mo.

Results:

125: Sam Latona (2-0, ACC Champion)

Semifinals: Latona (VT) dec. McCormick (UVA), 12-7

Finals: Latona (VT) dec. Camacho (NCSU), 2-1 (TB-1)

133: Korbin Myers (2-0, ACC Champion)

Semifinals: Myers (VT) dec. Heilmann (UNC), 10-3

Finals: Myers (VT) dec. Phillippi (PITT), 3-1

141: Sam Hillegas (0-2)

First Round: Matthews (PITT) dec. Hillegas (VT), 3-2 (TB-1)

Consolation Semifinals: Courtney (UVA) dec. Hillegas (VT), 7-2

149: Bryce Andonian (1-1, Second Place)

Semifinals: Andonian (VT) dec. Scott (NCSU), 11-6

Finals: O’Connor (UNC) dec. Andonian (VT), 10-8

157: Connor Brady (3-1, Third Place)

First Round: Brady (VT) wins by forfeit

Semifinals: McCoy (UVA) dec. Brady (VT), 8-6

Consolation Semifinals: Brady (VT) dec. LaRue (DUKE), 9-3

Consolation Finals: Brady (VT) dec. McClure (UNC), 4-3

165: Mekhi Lewis (0-2)

Semifinals: Keating (UVA) def. Lewis (VT), Injury Default

Consolation Semifinals: Bullard (NCSU) def. Lewis (VT), Medical Forfeit

174: Dakota Howard (3-1, Third Place)

First Round: Howard (VT) dec. McGill (PITT), 8-6 (SV-1)

Semifinals: Bullard (NCSU) dec. Howard (VT), 6-0

Consolation Semifinals: Howard (VT) dec. Becker (DUKE), 11-5

Consolation Finals: Howard (VT) dec. Marcelli (UVA), 11-9 (SV-1)

184: Hunter Bolen (1-1, Second Place)

Semifinals: Bolen (VT) dec. Harvey (PITT), 3-1

Finals: Hidlay (NCSU) dec. Bolen (VT), 3-1 (SV-1)

197: Andy Smith (0-2)

First Round: Reenan (NCSU) dec. Smith (VT), 3-2

Consolation Semifinals: Shaw (UNC) dec. Smith (VT), 7-3

285: Hunter Catka (2-1, Second Place)

First Round: Catka (VT) TF Niesenbaum (DUKE), 17-0 (4:20)

Semifinals: Catka (VT) dec. Miller (UVA), 5-4

Finals: Wilson (NCSU) dec. Catka (VT), 2-1 (TB-1)