Virginia Tech Overpowers North Carolina 23-9

Jack Brizendine

February 1, 2021

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 8 Virginia Tech earned an impressive 23-9 win over No. 14 North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, improving its record to 7-0 on the season.

The three most thrilling matches of the day came from Sam Hillegas, No. 1 Mekhi Lewis, and Dakota Howard.

Hillegas wrestled in one of the tougher matches of the day against North Carolina’s No. 10 Zach Sherman.

Hillegas gained an early lead with a takedown and escape, but a reversal from Sherman cut the advantage to one point by the end of the first period. Sherman added another reversal in the second period to take a 4-3 lead over Hillegas heading into the final period.

After an escape from Hillegas to tie the match at four points apiece, Sherman took back the lead with a takedown. Another escape from Hillegas cut the deficit to one, and he was awarded a point for over a minute of riding time at the end of the period, sending the match to a sudden victory overtime period.

In the extra period, Sherman imposed his will on Hillegas, going on a six-point run to seal the 12-6 victory.

Lewis edged out a close win over No. 10 Kennedy Monday, 4-3 — his smallest margin of victory this season.

An initial takedown gave Lewis a two point lead at the end of the first period. He extended his lead to three points in the second period with an escape.

Monday came storming back in the final period, scoring on an escape and a takedown to tie the score at three with twenty seconds left in the match. Lewis scored on an escape four seconds later to cement the victory.

Howard picked up a huge victory over No. 10 Devin Kane, 8-7. He trailed by one at the end of the first period after a takedown from Kane to begin the match. In the second period, Kane’s lead grew to four after an escape and a takedown. Howard answered with an escape and takedown, cutting the deficit to one before the third period.

In the final period, Howard took the lead with a takedown before Kane earned a point for an escape to tie the match at six points. Howard responded with a takedown with forty seconds left in the match to snag the upset victory.

Other winners for the Hokies included No. 10 Sam Latona, No. 8 Korbin Meyers, Connor Brady, No. 2 Hunter Bolen, and No. 15 John Borst.

No. 12 Bryce Andonian lost by decision to No. 1 Austin O'Connor, 11-4. Andy Smith fell by decision to Max Shaw, 9-5.

Virginia Tech returns to the mat on Friday, February 5th, when the team hosts NC State at 8 p.m. The match will be televised on the ACC Network.

Results:

125: No. 10 Latona (VT) MD Guida (UNC), 18-7

133: No. 8 Myers (VT) MD No. 11 Hernandez (UNC), 11-2

141: No. 10 Sherman (UNC) dec. Hillegas (VT), 12-6 (SV-1)

149: No. 1 O’Conner (UNC) dec. No. 12 Andonian (VT), 11-4

157: Brady (VT) dec. McClure (UNC), 6-1

165: No. 1 Lewis (VT) dec. No. 8 Monday (UNC), 4-3

174: Howard (VT) dec. No. 9 Kane (UNC), 8-7

184: No. 2 Bolen (VT) dec. No. 15 Lautt (UNC), 8-3

197: Shaw (UNC) dec. Smith (VT), 9-5

285: No. 15 Borst (VT) dec. Gunning (UNC), 3-1