Updates from the ACC Wrestling Championships

March 6, 2010

Six Hokies in the finals

RALEIGH, N.C. – The 2010 ACC Wrestling Championships are underway inside Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State with the Hokies battling Maryland, Virginia, Duke, NCSU and North Carolina in the 53rd annual event. Through two rounds, Tech has six wrestlers in the finals with all six automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships later this month.

Five Hokies had first-round byes with four others taking the mat. Chris Diaz and Jesse Dong picked up bonus points for the Hokies with pins and then Taylor Knapp got a huge 10-8 win over fourth-seeded Quinton Godley of NC State to give Tech some unexpected team points. It’s Knapp’s first win at 174 pounds as he was 0-5 previously. Chris Penny put up a good fight at 197 pounds, but fell 3-0 and now drops down to the consolation brackets.

In the semifinals, the Hokies got several last-second wins to put six into the finals. Jarrod Garnett picked up a pin at 125 pounds and Chris Diaz had to work overtime to win his match, getting points with just a few seconds left in the sudden victory at 141 pounds. Brian Stephens quailified for the NCAAs with a hard-fought 3-2 win at 149 pounds and then Jesse Dong took care of business at 157 pounds, picking up a major decision. Matt Epperly got a takedown in the final 15 seconds to come from behind and qualify for the NCAAs at 165 pounds. Tommy Spellman used a pair of takedowns and riding time to win 5-2 at 184 pounds to give Tech its sixth finalist.

In the consolations, Brock LiVorio won a pair of matches to take third place at 133 pounds.

Heading to the finals, Tech sits in third place with 66.5 points, trailing Virginia (77.5) and Maryland (70.5).

The finals will begin around 7 o’clock.

Be sure to check back throughout the day for updates and results.

125: #1 seed Jarrod Garnett (1-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: Bye

Semifinals: def. #4 seed Peter Terezza (DU), fall (6:31)

Finals: vs. #2 seed Ross Gitomer (VA)

133: #3 seed Brock LiVorio (2-1; THIRD PLACE)

First Round: Bye

Semifinals: lost to #2 seed Matt Snyder (VA), fall (5:49)

Consolations: def. #4 seed Jeremy Shaw (NC), 5-3

Third-place match: def. Dale Shull (NCS), 10-8

141: #2 seed Chris Diaz (2-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: def. Scott Norris (NCS), fall (2:57)

Semifinals: def. #3 seed Derek Valenti (VA), 3-1 (SV)

Finals: vs. #1 seed Alex Krom (MD)

149: #2 seed Brian Stephens (1-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: Bye

Semifinals: def. #3 seed Jon Kohler (MD), 3-2

Finals: vs. #4 seed Shawn Harris (VA)

157: #1 seed Jesse Dong (2-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: def. Chris Picolella (DU), fall (4:21)

Semifinals: def. #4 seed Dan Gonsor (VA), MD, 12-1

Finals: vs. #2 seed Kyle John (MD)

165: #2 seed Matt Epperly (1-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: Bye

Semifinals: def. #3 seed Kyle Kiss (NC), 7-6

Finals: #1 seed Josh Asper (MD)

174: Taylor Knapp (1-2; ELIMINATED)

First Round: def. #4 seed Quinton Godley (NCS), 10-8

Semifinals: lost to #1 seed Chris Henrich (VA), fall (1:27)

Consolations: lost to Brad Nielson (MD), MD, 9-1

184: #1 seed Tommy Spellman (1-0) - QUALIFIED

First Round: Bye

Semifinals: vs. #4 seed Nick Tenpenny (NC), 5-2

Finals: vs. #2 seed Mike Salopek (VA)

197: Chris Penny (0-2; ELIMINATED)

First Round: lost to #4 seed John Barone (DU), 3-0

Consolations: lost to #2 seed Brent Jones (VA), 8-3

285: Open

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