Virginia Tech Earns Dual Meet Victories; Diaz Closing in on 100 Career Wins

BOONE, N.C. — The 12th-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team rolled to a pair of victories Tuesday night, beating host Appalachian State 39-7 and dominating Cambpell, 48-0. With the wins, the Hokies move to 8-2 overall and head into this weekend’s big tournament with a little momentum.

In the opener, Jarrod Garnett got things started with a pin and then freshman Devin Carter picked up a technical fall. Chris Diaz picked up a five-point win and then Brian Stephens pinned his man to make it 20-0. Jesse Dong made his official season debut with a pin at 157 pounds. He had wrestled unattached the first semester, posting a 14-1 mark. Pete Yates made his season debut at 165 pounds, but suffered a 6-4 loss in sudden victory to previously ranked Kyle Blevins. At 174 pounds, Matt Epperly picked up a quick pin of Brandon Lietz. John Dickson lost 14-5 at 184 pounds to make it 32-7. Chris Penny and David Marone each picked up wins, a decision by Penny and a major decision by Marone, to account for the final score.

In the second match of the night, Garnett and Carter continued their hot streaks with each picking up a pin. Diaz earned a technical fall and then Stephens pinned his man to make it 23-0. Dong poured it on with a technical fall and then Yates rebounded from a tough opening loss with a technical fall. Nick Vetterlein went at 174 pounds and picked up a 13-6 win for the Hokies. Dickson pinned Justin Sparrow at 184 pounds and then Penny recorded a major decision to make it 45-0 and Marone finished things up with a decision to wrap up the 48-0 win.

With his two wins, Diaz now has 98 for his career and can join the 100-win club this weekend.

Tommy Spellman, ranked 16th in the country at 184 pounds, was held out for the night to rest up, but should be ready to roll this weekend. Tech will head to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for its biggest weekend of the season at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. The seventh-seeded Hokies will open with unseeded, but 17th-ranked Central Michigan in the opener Saturday at 11 a.m., local time (noon Eastern).

#12 Virginia Tech (7-2) 39, Appalachian State (3-5) 7
125: #11 Jarrod Garnett (VT) fall Tony Gravely
133: #8 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall Chris Johnson, 21-4
141: #5 Chris Diaz (VT) dec. Mike Kessler, 7-2
149: #9 Brian Stephens (VT) fall Russ Benner
157: #5 Jesse Dong (VT) fall Travis Puckett
165: Kyle Blevins (ASU) dec. #14 Pete Yates, 6-4 (SV)
174: Matt Epperly (VT) fall Branden Lietz
184: Austin Trotman (ASU) maj. dec. John Dickson, 14-5
197: Chris Penny (VT) dec. Paul Glover, 7-3
285: David Marone (VT) maj. dec. Marc Tyson, 11-0

#12 Virginia Tech (8-2) 48, Campbell (0-4) 0
125: #11 Jarrod Garnett (VT) fall Tanner Bidelspach
133: #8 Devin Carter (VT) fall Gabriel Gardner
141: #5 Chris Diaz (VT) tech fall Brad Merriman, 16-0
149: #9 Brian Stephens (VT) fall Darien Peele
157: #5 Jesse Dong (VT) tech fall Jake Fose, 16-1
165: #14 Pete Yates (VT) tech fall Joel Caudill, 19-4
174: Nick Vetterlein (VT) dec. Ryan Ham, 13-6
184: John Dickson (VT) fall Justin Sparrow
197: Chris Penny (VT) dec. John Merickel, 7-4
285: David Marone (VT) dec. Parker Burns, 7-0