The Tech Lunch Pail is excited to announce the launch of the new TLP Insider subscription. Sign up for an account and get the best news, inside scoops, and analysis on the Hokies! Learn more

#14 Virginia Tech Wrestling Victorious in Home Opener vs Princeton

VT Wrestling Entrance
After a pair of tough matches against seventh ranked Missouri and 25th-ranked Northwestern, the Hokies took care of business against Princeton Friday night at Cassell Coliseum, 24-16. After losing the first match, the Hokies picked up steam in the 157-pound match, as BC LaPrade's 5-4 comeback win over Quincy Monday tied the team score at three apiece. Tech's Mekhi Lewis won the next match at 165, earning a major decision against Dale Tiongson, 17-4. David McFadden headlined the night with his first start of the season. Ranked fifth in the country in his 174-pound weight class, McFadden suffered a concussion scare midway through the match. However, he overcame that to defeat Travis Stefanik 5-0. Regarding the return of McFadden, head coach Tony Robie said, “It’s important. In our sport when you have guys out, it makes a difference, there’s just no two ways around that. McFadden’s always the guy that people get excited to watch, he gets his teammates excited, he’s a very likable guy. We fed off that tonight.” Zach Zavatsky followed up McFadden’s victory with a major decision against Kevin Parker, 14-6. Zavatsky overcame a 6-2 deficit in the first period to steal the match. The win put Virginia Tech up 14-3. In the only ranked matchup of the night, at 197 pounds, fifth-ranked Patrick Brucki of Princeton topped 17th-ranked Tom Sleigh in a hard-fought match, 8-3. Virginia Tech's Billy Miller dominated his heavyweight match against Kendall Elfstrum, 9-2. Miller had over four minutes of riding time, which helped expand the Hokies' lead to 18-6. “He kept the pressure on and he kept trying to score points, and that’s what we’re looking for," said Robie. However, after 14th-ranked Patrick Glory of Princeton defeated Joey Prata in the 125-pound match, the Hokies' lead fell to 18-11. The Tigers were in striking distance with two matches left. But 16th-ranked Korbin Meyers earned his pin for the Hokies at 133 pounds against Jake Adkins to seal the deal for Virginia Tech, as the Hokies held on to win, 24-16. This was a significant win for Virginia Tech, as Princeton just came off one of the biggest wins in program history when they defeated eighth-ranked Lehigh. “Princeton’s got a good team, and we knew that our margin for error was minimal," Robie said. Virginia Tech will travel to West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers at 7 P.M. on Wednesday, Dec. 19th. “Morgantown's going to be another test for us. Coach Flynn’s got his guys wrestling really well, I know they’re gonna scrap so we better be ready to go,” said Robie.

Photo Credit: Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics

You must login in order to comment on this post.
Loading Indicator