No. 7 Virginia Tech Takes Home Commonwealth Clash

By Ryan Duvall

Staff Writer

February 18, 2022

CHARLOTTESVILLE — No. 5 Bryce Andonian (149 lbs) probably wasn’t expecting his match against No. 29 Jared Verkleeren to be a battle. But, contrary to a typical Andonian match, where he would use a series of takedowns to assert his dominance early on, the Virginia Tech wrestler struggled to pull this one out.

The wrestlers stayed at a stalemate for the entirety of the first period, feeling each other out, leaving the match scoreless. Things remained the same in the second period, but the third and final period would prove to be a lot more exciting.

Andonian got on the board first with an escape, but then a Verkleeren takedown pushed the momentum towards Virginia. A minute later the two were tied at four, in a power struggle, when the clock hit zero.

Virginia Tech had been awarded three points, signaling that Andonian had won due to riding time, putting a smile on his face.

The win would put No. 7 Virginia Tech (9-3, 4-1 ACC) up 12-0 on the Virginia Cavaliers (4-6, 1-4 ACC) and help contribute to the Hokies 20-15 win.

The Hokies took home the commonwealth clash from Charlottesville, which was their tenth-straight victory over the Cavaliers.

The dual was the last to count towards ACC standings for both squads, additionally it was Virginia’s senior night, which brought out an energizing crowd to Memorial Gymnasium.

The night was all Hokies for the first four matches, with No. 20 Sam Latona (125 lbs) stayed undefeated since the turn of the calendar year, No. 5 Korbin Myers (133 lbs) picked up another ranked win, No. 22 Collin Gerardi (141 lbs) took care of business, and Andonian survived.

However, the next two matches were won by the Cavaliers. No. 28 Jake Keating (157 lbs) upset No. 26 Connor Brady, and No. 15 Justin McCoy (165 lbs) handled Clayton Ulrey pretty easily.

That made the score 12-6, in favor of the Hokies, when former national champion No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (174 lbs) stepped on the mat to take on UVA’s Justin Phillips. Phillip’s was just another victim of Lewis’ undefeated season, as the Hokie wrestler moved to 17-0 with a major decision victory.

Lewis’ win, followed by a victory from No. 14 Hunter Bolen (184 lbs), would put the dual out of reach, as Virginia Tech led 20-6. Yet, even though the Hokies had won, the night didn’t feel like a victory for everyone.

No. 13 Jay Aiello (197 lbs) manhandled fan favorite Hokie, No. 30 Dakota Howard, in a moment that had the UVA supporters going nuts. Immediately after that, in the final match of the night that counted, No. 14 heavyweight wrestler Nathan Traxler, was upset by No. 32 Quinn Miller.

So, despite the win, two of the Hokies best and most exciting wrestlers' confidence may have been shot down by the Cavaliers.

With ACC play technically concluded, the Hokies sit alone in second place, and will face the number one team, No. 4 NC State, this Sunday in a match that will not count towards the ACC standings, but settle the rivalry between the two schools going into tournament play.

125 – No. 20 Sam Latona (VT) DEC Patrick McCormick (UVA), 8-4

133 – No. 5 Korbin Myers (VT) DEC No. 23 Brian Courtney (UVA), 8-3

141 – No. 22 Collin Gerardi (VT) DEC Dylan Cedeno (UVA), 6-2

149 – No. 5 Bryce Andonian (VT) DEC No. 29 Jarod Verkleeren (UVA), 5-4

157 – No. 28 Jake Keating (UVA) DEC No. 26 Connor Brady (VT), 5-3

165 – No. 15 Justin McCoy (UVA) DEC Clayton Ulrey (VT), 6-2

174 – No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (VT) MAJ DEC Justin Phillips (UVA), 17-6

184 – No. 14 Hunter Bolen (VT) MAJ DEC No. 22 Michael Battista (UVA), 13-3

197 – No. 13 Jay Aiello (UVA) FALL No. 30 Dakota Howard (VT), 5:32

285 – No. 32 Quinn Miller (UVA) DEC No. 14 Nathan Traxler (VT), 4-3