Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics
The Virginia Tech wrestling season is officially underway after a busy weekend with facing Missouri in a dual meet and competing in the Southeast Open in Roanoke. Here are the latest news and notes from Tony Robie’s team.
Hokies Move Up Five Spots in NWCA Coaches Poll
Virginia Tech moved up from #16 to #11 in this week’s NWCA Coaches Poll. The move comes after the Hokies opened their season by upsetting #9 Missouri 29-10 at home last Saturday.
The Hokies won seven of ten matches against the Tigers, including two individual matches between wrestlers who were both ranked. #17 B.C. LaPrade picked up a 3-1 sudden victory decision over #16 Jarrett Jacques at 157 pounds, and #9 Hunter Bolen earned a 10-9 decision over #14 Dylan Wisman at 184 pounds.
Virginia Tech’s next opponent, Northwestern, is currently ranked #21 in the NWCA Coaches Poll. They have not wrestled yet this season.
Two Hokies Climb in InterMat Rankings
Two Virginia Tech wrestlers improved their rankings in this week’s InterMat Rankings. First, at 133 pounds, Collin Gerardi moved up from #19 to #15. Missouri forfeited at 133 this past Saturday with Gerardi set for his first march of the season this Sunday.
Next, Mitch Moore climbed from #19 to #15 at 141 pounds. Moore defeated Missouri’s Alex Butler by fall on Saturday in arguably the most impressive performance for the Hokies last Saturday.
David McFadden also remained #4 at 165 pounds. He picked up a 15-4 major decision against unranked Peyton Mocco last weekend.
B.C. LaPrade Wins ACC Wrestler of the Week
Congrats @BcTheWrestler22❗️💪#WhosNext #Team99
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) November 5, 2019
📰https://t.co/n7PZVFw0GZ pic.twitter.com/coj5htvrxf
Redshirt junior B.C. LaPrade earned ACC Wrestler of the Week honors after his aforementioned decision over #16 Jarrett Jacques. It is the third time in his career that he has received this honor.
LaPrade and Jacques were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, so they went to a sudden victory overtime. With seven seconds left in the first overtime period, LaPrade got a takedown to win. Those three team points were the Hokies’ first of the day after the dual meet started at 149.
Despite his dramatic victory, LaPrade fell one spot in InterMat's rankings from #17 to #18. He will have his work cut out for him on Sunday when he wrestles one of the highest-ranked 157 wrestlers in America, #3 Ryan Deakin of Northwestern.
Making History
The Mat on the Mound is almost here❗️
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) November 7, 2019
Hokies take on #21 Northwestern at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park Sunday at 1 pm#WhosNext #Team99
📝 https://t.co/yZLbVPRfeB pic.twitter.com/9rVqJrmdsx
The Virginia Tech Wrestling team is set to make history this Sunday. For the first time in program history, the Hokies will host an outdoor wrestling meet.
The event will be called the Mat on the Mound, and it will take place at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. Virginia Tech will be looking to avenge last season’s 20-16 loss to Northwestern.
The forecast in Blacksburg is looking favorable for the event, as well. The Weather Channel is currently predicting a sunny day with highs in the low 60s on Sunday.
Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie is excited about the unique opportunity, and he hopes fans will be as well.
“I think that Atlantic Union Bank Park is the ideal outdoor venue for this type of event,” Robie said. “We need the Hokie Nation to come out and pack the park on Nov. 10."
