Tech drops Old Dominion in Salem

February 18, 2010

Diaz, Stephens and Dong score bonus points for Hokies

	F
Boston College	0
Virginia Tech	3

SALEM, Va. – The 14^th-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling squad won their first three matches of the night in dominant fashion, carrying the Hokies to a 29-12 victory over No. 24 Old Dominion on Thursday night at Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, Va.

Junior Chris Diaz, ranked 10^th at 141 pounds, started the match off strongly with a methodical major decision over Craig Wilson of Old Dominion. Diaz controlled the tired opponent to the tune of a 17-5 victory. Freshman Brian Stephens followed that up with a strong pin, his third straight, at the 3:35 mark in the 157-pound weight class to give the Hokies a quick 10-0 advantage in the team competition. The Tech dominance continued at 157 pounds, as fifth-ranked sophomore Jesse Dong defeated Joey Sheridan of Old Dominion, 15-4, earning more bonus points for Hokies with the major decision.

At 165 pounds, Old Dominion began to mount a comeback. The Monarchs tallied their first victory of the evening as 13^th-ranked Chris Brown held off junior Matt Epperly at 165 pounds, 7-6, and freshman Taylor Knapp fell by a 5-0 decision at 174 pounds.

Eighteenth-ranked, junior Tommy Spellman scored a takedown with less than 15 seconds left in the third period to secure a 4-2 decision at 184 pounds and help right the ship for the Hokies. After Tech forfeited at 197 pounds, freshman Chris Penny won a big match at 285 pounds, 4-3, to give the Hokies control in the match. Despite the forfeit, Tech took a commanding 20-12 team.

The Hokies received a forfeit at 125 pounds, and sophomore Brock LiVorio took a 5-3 decision at 133 pounds to close out the match strongly. The Hokies beat the Monarchs 29-12.

“Tonight’s win was total domination by the Hokies,” said head coach Kevin Dresser. “At 165 pounds, we lost on a bad call and at 125 pounds, they were afraid to wrestle us. Considering the adversity this team has been through this year, to go undefeated against in-state teams and to claim a state championship says a lot about how far this program has come and how bright the future is for the Hokies.”

Tech next competes at the ACC Championships on March 6 in Raleigh, N.C. Results will be available on hokiesports.com.

#14 Virginia Tech 29 vs. #24 Old Dominion 12

125 lbs.: #14 Jarrod Garnett (VT) wins by forfeit

133 lbs.: Brock LiVorio (VT) dec. Justin LaValle, 5-3

141 lbs.: #10 Chris Diaz (VT) maj. dec. Craig Wilson, 17-5

149 lbs.: Brian Stephens (VT) fall Brennan Brumley, 3:35

157 lbs.: #5 Jesse Dong (VT) maj. dec. Joey Sheridan, 15-4

165 lbs.: #13 Chris Brown (ODU) dec. Matt Epperly, 7-6

174 lbs.: Eric Decker (ODU) dec. Taylor Knapp, 5-0

184 lbs.: #18 Tommy Spellman (VT) dec. Joe Budi, 4-2

197 lbs.: #19 Jesse Strawn (ODU) wins by forfeit

285 lbs.: Chris Penny (VT) dec. Grant Chapman, 4-3

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