#9 Virginia Tech upset #7 Missouri this Sunday afternoon, 17-15 in Blacksburg, Virginia. It was a dual that went back and forth, and highlighted great matches. Although not all starters stepped out for both teams, this dual was electric and one worth watching. Here’s a breakdown of every match in Cassell Coliseum this afternoon.
125 – Cooper Flynn over Peyton Moore, 13-3
Expecting a top-25 matchup between Surtin and Ventresca, Hokie’s Cooper Flynn stepped up and defeated the Tiger’s Peyton Moore 0-0. Flynn didn’t waste time, scoring two takedowns in the opening period and going into the second with a three-point lead. It didn’t stop there, Flynn poured on three more takedowns throughout the second and third period, earning a major decision for the Hokies at 125-pounds.
133 – #11 Sam Latona over Connor Brown, 6-4
After a few scrambles just 30 seconds into the bout, Hokie’s #11 Sam Latona got on the board first with a takedown as there were just seconds remaining on the clock. The second period also consisted of nerve wracking scrambles for each team’s bench, yet Latona was able to stay in the high position and score the takedown to extend his lead. However, Brown got back and scored two points of his own to cut Latona’s lead to two, but Latona evaded back points to get the win at 133-pounds.
141 – #10 Allan Hart over #12 Tom Crook, 8-2
Early on into the first period, the first takedown attempt for Crook almost landed him on his back, and led to Hart being able to spin behind for the opening takedown. Mizzou’s Hart continued to dominate on the feet, scoring again in the second period and continued to ride out Crook for the remaining 1:45 of the second period. Hart did the same in the third period, getting a takedown and riding out Crook. Hart’s experience looked to be the edge, as Hart was comfortable and controlling in every position.
149 – #9 Brock Mauller over #11 Caleb Henson, 7-5
In the first period, both Missouri’s Mauller and Virginia Tech’s Henson scored takedowns to get on the board. Henson tied the match at 3-3 just seconds into the second period with an escape, however it was a scoreless period on the feet to end the second. In the final period, Mauller got his second takedown of the match to tie the match back at 5-5, and then scored again with less than 10 seconds remaining to put a halt to Henson’s scorching hot start to the season.
157 – Clayton Ulrey over Logan Gioffre, 3-2
After expecting a matchup between #13 Jacques and #5 Andonian, both teams rested their starters. Even though the anticipated top-15 bout didn’t happen, the Hokie’s Ulrey edged out Mizzou’s Gioffre after a wild scramble with seconds remaining in the bout. For a second, it looked like Gioffre had Ulrey on his back, but Ulrey was able to hold onto Gioffre’s leg as time ticked down. Without #5 Andonian, the Hokie’s still get the win at 157-pounds.
165 – #1 Keegan O’Toole over #23 Connor Brady, 8-4
Although the scoreboard doesn’t show a close tightly scored match, O’Toole had to work for a decision win over the Hokie’s #23 Connor Brady. Brady was able to score the opening takedown, and even led by a point after the first period. That was until O’Toole got on the top position, and proceeded to ride out Brady for the rest of the period. The third period consisted of O’Toole trying to hang on, and gave three points to the Tigers to make it 10-9 Virginia Tech after six matches.
174 – #3 Mekhi Lewis over #10 Peyton Mocco, 3-2
Hokie’s #3 Mekhi Lewis was back to business, earning a close 3-2 decision win over Mizzou’s #10 Peyton Mocco. Although Mocco was never in a deep shot throughout the match, he was able to defend off Lewis multiple times throughout the match to keep it close. Lewis almost had another takedown on the edge of the mat that was ruled out of bounds, which almost gave Mocco a chance to score with just seconds to go.
184 – #6 Hunter Bolen over Sean Harman, 13-3
Hokie’s #6 Hunter Bolen was dominant in his time on the mat this Sunday afternoon. Bolen was able to score at will on the feet, and accumulated riding time throughout the match when he wanted to keep Harman on the mat. Bolen’s major proved crucial, as it extended the Hokie’s lead to 17-9 after eight matches.
197 – #1 Rocky Elam over #16 Andy Smith, 7-0
The new #1 Rocky Elam proved to the country why he is the #1 ranked wrestler at 197-pounds, as he easily cruised to a win over the Hokie’s #16 Andy Smith. Elam was in total control in the top position, earning nearly three minutes of riding time going into the third period. The third period was similar, a dominating performance on top for Elam.
285 – #5 Zach Elam over #19 Hunter Catka, 4-2
In the final bout of the dual, Mizzou’s #5 Zach Elam defeated Virginia Tech’s #19 Hunter Catka 0-0. Elam was able to score early in the bout, which proved to be the dictator of the match. Elam was able to stay in good position on the feet, and dominate in the top position. The score makes it seem like it was a close match, however it seemed that Elam was in control the whole match.
Final Score: Virginia Tech over Missouri, 17-15
