Tech Routs George Mason 42-5
Duncan Irvine
Staff Writer
February 10, 2024
Virginia Tech finished off a 2-0 weekend after a 42-5 win over George Mason. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
BLACKSBURG – In his final home dual meet, Virginia Tech legend and second-ranked Mekhi Lewis took on George Mason’s Paul Pierce. Just as he has done his entire career, Lewis dominated. He gave Pierce minimal chances to come up for air, masterfully working his way to a 21-4 technical victory. The crowd gave him a more than deserved standing ovation, thanking him for not just tonight, but everything he has done for Tech wrestling since winning a national title in 2019. He left the Cassell mat a winner, one last time.
“It’s almost over,” Lewis said. “[I] just embrace that moment, celebrate it, be thankful and grateful for that opportunity … being able to be there in that moment. I’m grateful for that.”
The Hokies (8-3) returned to Cassell Coliseum on Saturday afternoon, dominating the Patriots (10-9) 42-5.
The dual meet against George Mason served as the team’s senior night. Kolton Clark, Dakota Howard, Connor Brady, Bryce Andonian and the aforementioned Lewis were honored before the meet. In addition to the athletes, the team also honored other graduating students who have contributed to the program’s success.
The match kicked off at 125 pounds, where JB Dragovich added himself to the list of No. 5 Cooper Flynn’s victims. Dragovich made a few nice defensive moves early on, but Flynn bullied his way to a 14-3 major decision.
At 133 pounds, No. 13 Sam Latona took on former teammate Brandon Wittenberg. Wittenberg transferred to George Mason from Virginia Tech prior to the 2023-24 season.
Having wrestled against each other in practice countless times, the two appeared to know each other’s style all too well. Neither was willing to take a shot, and Latona held a slim 3-2 lead heading into the third period. He pulled away to win 11-3, putting the Hokies up 8-0.
No. 13 Tom Crook took on Dominic Hargrove at 141 pounds. Crook secured a takedown in the first minute of the bout and never gave Hargrove the chance to get back into it. Hargrove spent the majority of the match lying prone on the mat as Crook racked up ride time. When the dust settled on Crook’s 15-0 technical victory, he had over four minutes of ride time.
Michael Rapuano looked to get George Mason on the board against Mac Church at 149. The Patriots would have to wait, as Church was not intent on losing. He nearly pinned Rapuano in the first period and took a 10-2 lead into the second. Midway through the second frame, Church secured the 20-4 technical fall victory.
Virginia Tech led 18-0 through four bouts.
At 157, Clayton Ulrey took on Loranzo Rajaonarivelo. Just like Church, Ulrey won 20-4 via technical fall. The only real difference was that his came in the third period. He dominated Rajaonarivelo from start to finish.
Evan Maag finally got the Patriots on the board against Kylan Montgomery at 165 pounds. For the first time in over a week, the Hokies allowed the other team to score. Maag scored an early takedown and Montgomery was never truly able to find his footing. Maag seemed to be always one step ahead of him, winning 18-1 via technical fall in the second period.
Lewis took on Pierce at 174 pounds, cementing his legacy as the greatest wrestler in program history in front of his home crowd one last time.
TJ Stewart got the nod against Malachi Duvall at 184 pounds. Just as nearly every Hokie before him did, he was in control of the match from start to finish. He carried an 11-2 lead into the second and third periods. Duvall made a little run in the final frame, grabbing a takedown and avoiding a major decision defeat. Stewart came out on top, 12-6.
No. 25 Andy Smith faced off against Nick Foster at 197 pounds. Smith wasted no time pinning Foster, winning by fall and extending the Hokies’ advantage to 37-5.
Two-sport athlete Jimmy Mullen got the start at heavyweight. The Tech football defensive lineman took on Colin Pedersen. Mullen took down Pedersen seven times in the first period, winning 21-6 via technical fall.
In total, the Hokies won nine of ten bouts including one pin, five technical falls, two major decisions, and one regular decision victory.
“We knew we had an opportunity to win a bunch of matches and score a lot of points,” Tech head coach Tony Robie said regarding his team’s performance. “It’s going to get a lot harder the next couple of weekends so we’ve got to be prepared for that. These are great opportunities to go out and execute and work on stuff, build confidence and see some of the things you’ve been working on in practice.”
Virginia Tech notched its second dual meet victory in two days, extending its regular season record to 8-3. They will be back in action on Friday night when they hit the road to take on No. 19 Pitt.
The loss gives George Mason a 10-9 dual meet record this season. It returns home to take on Lindenwood next Sunday.