Hokies to face Central Michigan in opener of NWCA National Duals

January 4, 2011

Tech seeded seventh in tough field

NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals

BLACKSBURG - The 16-team bracket for the 2011 NWCA National Duals has been released, and seventh-seeded Virginia Tech will face unseeded Central Michigan in the opening round on Saturday.

The Hokies and Chippewas will meet at 11 a.m. local time (Noon Eastern) Saturday. The winner advances to face either No. 2 Oklahoma State or Purdue in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. The loser will meet the loser of the Oklahoma State/Purdue dual in the consolation bracket at 3 p.m. Tech is ranked 12th in the latest coaches' poll while the Chippewas are ranked 17th.

CMU is 2-1 all-time against Virginia Tech, including a 21-17 victory at Blacksburg last season.Tech upset No. 6 CMU in January of 2009 with a 19-12 win at Mt. Pleasant.

The Hokies (6-2) take on Appalachian State and Campbell today in Boone, N.C. The Chippewas (1-4) visit Northern Illinois on Thursday in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. CMU will then travel directly to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the National Duals. Tech will leave Thursday for Iowa.

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