No. 6 Virginia Tech clinched at least a share of its second consecutive ACC regular-season title with a dominant 29-9 win over No. 13 North Carolina on Friday night in Blacksburg.
In a matchup between ranked ACC programs, the Hokies (10-2, 5-0 ACC) won eight of 10 bouts against the Tar Heels (9-4, 2-3) and secured three bonus-point victories. With the help of some dominance in the middle weights, Tech was able to hold a comfortable advantage throughout the evening.
Here’s how the dual unfolded, weight by weight:
125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) 7, No. 13 Kysen Terukina (UNC) 2
Ventresca opened the evening with a composed performance against a fellow ranked opponent. He struck first with a takedown and dictated tie-ups throughout, limiting Terukina’s offense while stacking riding time. A late score provided separation in a 7-2 decision.
The Hokies were on the board first, leading 3-0.
133: No. 6 Aaron Seidel (VT) 16, Matthew Botello (UNC) 0 (TF 5:21)
Continuing his dominant freshman campaign, Seidel wasted little time turning the duel in Tech’s favor. He overwhelmed Botello with constant pressure, chaining together takedowns and near falls to build a lopsided margin. The bout ended at 5:21 with a 16-0 technical fall.
That stretched the margin to 8-0.
141: Nick O’Neill (UNC) 10, No. 22 Tom Crook (VT) 8 (TF 4:01)
Crook battled early, but O’Neill capitalized in the second period and secured a pin at 4:01. The fall brought the Tar Heels right back into the duel.
North Carolina narrowed the gap to 8-6.
149: Drew Gorman (VT) 10, Nate Askew (UNC) 4
Gorman responded with a composed performance, controlling ties and scoring timely takedowns. He extended his lead in the second period and maintained control down the stretch to earn a 10-4 decision.
That pushed the Hokies’ advantage back to 11-6.
157: No. 16 Ethen Miller (VT) 5, No. 25 Laird Root (UNC) 2 (SV)
In the tightest bout of the night, Miller faced off on the mat against UNC’s Root, a fellow ranked wrestler. Root led early, but ended up relinquishing a crucial point with a hands-to-the-face call. A third-period escape allowed Miller to tie the bout at two.
Miller took the momentum into sudden victory, where he was able to get a takedown to secure the bout win.
Tech extended its lead to 14-6.
165: No. 33 Mac Church (VT) 5, No. 12 Bryce Hepner (UNC) 1
Church delivered a key upset win over a top-15 opponent to keep momentum on the Hokies’ side. Both wrestlers notched escapes, but Church was able to get a takedown and build enough riding time to earn a bonus point.
Virginia Tech built its cushion to 17-6.
174: Collin Carrigan (UNC) 8, No. 30 Sergio Desiante (VT) 5 (SV)
In Tech’s second and final bout loss, Desiante was locked in a back-and-forth battle that extended into sudden victory. Both wrestlers had a takedown and two escapes in regulation, but Carrigan managed to secure the decisive score in overtime, earning an 8-5 decision.
That trimmed the Hokies’ lead to 17-9.
184: No. 32 Jaden Bullock (VT) 8, No. 13 Jake Dailey (UNC) 3
Bullock answered with one of the dual’s biggest wins, knocking off another top-15 foe to make sure that UNC was unable to build momentum. He scored early and held his advantage from the top position, building riding time while limiting Dailey’s offense in an 8-3 decision.
Tech extended its margin to 20-9.
197: No. 14 Sonny Sasso (VT) 12, Robert Platt (UNC) 4
Sasso put together a strong bonus-point performance, scoring consistently throughout the match. Leading 6-1 after a dominant first period, He built separation in the second and secured a 12-4 major decision.
That pushed Virginia Tech’s lead to 24-9.
285: No. 17 Jimmy Mullen (VT) 19, Jacob Levy (UNC) 3 (TF 4:52)
Mullen capped the night in dominant fashion. He overwhelmed Levy with takedowns and near falls, building a large lead before securing a 19-3 technical fall at 4:52.
Mullen’s bonus-point win sealed the dual for the Hokies at 29-9. They’re back in action on Sunday vs. Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. ET.
Results: Virginia Tech 29, North Carolina 9
• 125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) 7, No. 13 Kysen Terukina (UNC) 2
• 133: No. 6 Aaron Seidel (VT) 16, Matthew Botello (UNC) 0 (TF 5:21)
• 141: Nick O’Neill (UNC) 10, No. 22 Tom Crook (VT) 8 (TF 4:01)
• 149: Drew Gorman (VT) 10, Nate Askew (UNC) 4
• 157: No. 16 Ethen Miller (VT) 5, No. 25 Laird Root (UNC) 2 (SV)
• 165: No. 33 Mac Church (VT) 5, No. 12 Bryce Hepner (UNC) 1
• 174: Collin Carrigan (UNC) 8, No. 30 Sergio Desiante (VT) 5 (SV)
• 184: No. 32 Jaden Bullock (VT) 8, No. 13 Jake Dailey (UNC) 3
• 197: No. 14 Sonny Sasso (VT) 12, Robert Platt (UNC) 4
• 285: No. 17 Jimmy Mullen (VT) 19, Jacob Levy (UNC) 3 (TF 4:52)