January 9, 2010
Hokies upset Edinboro at Virginia Duals, face Cavs next
Tech guaranteed of placing at event

HAMPTON, Va. - The Virginia Tech wrestling team upset 20th-ranked and sixth-seeded Edinboro Saturday morning, 27-15, in the consolation bracket of the Virginia Duals, assuring the Hokies will place at the prestigious event. Tech won the first five matches, with several earning bonus points, to jump out to a 22-0 lead and never looked back in surprising the Fighting Scots.

Jarrod Garnett got the Hokies off to a good start with a pin early in the second period and then Brock LiVorio picked up three team points with a 6-4 win at 133 pounds. Chris Diaz continued to wrestle well, picking up a 17-3 major decision over Joel Webster at 141 pounds before Brian Stephens picked up a big 17-12 decision at 149 pounds. Jesse Dong stayed hot on the mat, picking up a technical fall to put Tech comfortably ahead.

With Edinboro sending fourth-raned Jarrod King to the mat at 165 pounds, Tech head coach Kevin Dresser bumped Matt Epperly to 174 pounds and sent Taylor Knapp to the mat. While Murray was pinned, the move worked as Epperly pulled out a 3-1 win to seal the match. Tommy Spellman downed Pat Bradshaw 6-2 at 184 pounds and Chris Penny lost to Shawn Fendone at 197 pounds before the Hokies forfeited at heavyweight.

Tech (9-2) will now face 18th-ranked Virginia at 4 o’clock today in a non-ACC match. The winner moves to the fifth place match and the loser goes to the seventh place match, both at 6 o’clock. The Cavs, seeded seventh at this event, opened with a win over Michigan before losing to Oklahoma. They beat Old Dominion this morning to advance to this match and are 9-2 on the year.

#24 Virginia Tech (8-2) 27, #20 Edinboro (3-4) 15
125: #13 Jarrod Garnett (VT) fall Bijan Banks, 3:33
133: Brock LiVorio (VT) dec. Ashton Osterberg, 6-4
141: #12 Chris Diaz (VT) maj. dec. Joel Webster, 17-3
149: Brian Stephens (VT) dec. Torsten Gillespie, 17-12
157: #7 Jesse Dong (VT) tech fall John Greisheimer, 16-0
165: #4 Jarrod King (E) fall Taylor Knapp, :53
174: Matt Epperly (VT) dec. Paul Paddock, 3-1
184: Tommy Spellman (VT) dec. Pat Bradshaw, 6-2
197: Shawn Fendone (E) dec. Chris Penny, 9-2
285: #19 Chris Birchler (E) wins by forfeit

For updates on Virginia Tech wrestling, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Wrestling).

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