CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The 12th-ranked and seventh-seeded Virginia Tech wrestling squad fell to top-ranked and top-seeded Cornell 25-10 Sunday afternoon in the championship match of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. The Hokies suffered several close losses and didn’t capitalize on chances to pull upset as they dropped to 11-3 on the season, but should still make a big leap in next week’s national poll.

Freshman Devin Carter, junior Jesse Dong and junior David Marone were the lone Hokies to pick up wins in the dual meet. Carter came out and dominated Joe Stanzione, picking up a 17-7 major decision at 133 pounds. He got three takedowns in the first period, three more in the second and two more in the third, not allowing Stanzione to score an offensive point. At 157 pounds, Dong took care of business against 10th-ranked D.J. Meagher, earning a 5-2 win. Dong got taken down at the end of the first period, but rebounded in the second with a reversal and then rode out Meagher. In the third, he got another takedown and then picked up the bonus point for riding time. Tech’s only other win came at heavyweight, where Marone won 5-1 over Oney Snyder. Marone got a pair of takedowns and an escape to finish off the match on a positive note.

“This was a good weekend for us, but at the same time we didn’t get done what we needed to get doen here today,” head coach Kevin Dresser said. “We lost three close matches and you can’t lose three close matches against Cornell. We should have won at 125, 141 and 165, but I’m sure they look at it differently. But hats off to Cornell, they did a great job. They took it to us this time, but we have to rebound and show we’re better than we were today.”

The match started at 125 pounds where 15th-ranked Frank Perelli beat Tech’s Jarrod Garnett 7-5 in the tiebreaker thanks to a nearfall combination that earned him two points. At 141 pounds, fifth-ranked Chris Diaz dropped a disappointing 6-4 decision to unranked Corey Manson. Brian Stephens was beaten 10-0 by No. 2 Kyle Dake at 149 pounds. Pete Yates gave No. 3 Justin Kerber all he could handle at 165 pounds, but gave up a takedown in sudden victory to lose 6-4. Matt Epperly ran into a buzz saw in third-ranked Mack Lewnes at 174 pounds as Lewnes led 15-2 before picking up the pin at the 6:20 mark. Tommy Spellman was beaten by No. 4 Steve Bosak 4-1 at 184 pounds and Chris Penny fell to Maciej Jochym, 12-8 at 197 pounds.

Even with the loss, it still marks the best performance from the Hokies at the National Duals as they placed second, beating 17th-ranked Central Michigan, second-ranked Oklahoma State and fourth-ranked Wisconsin en route to the title match.

Tech (11-3) will begin ACC competition next Saturday, travelling to Chapel Hill for a dual meet with the University of North Carolina and will return home on Sunday to host Clarion.

#1 Cornell 25, #12 Virginia Tech 10
125: #15 Frank Perelli (C) dec. #11 Jarrod Garnett, 7-5 (TB1)
133: #8 Devin Carter (VT) maj. dec. Joe Stanzione, 17-7
141: Corey Manson (C) dec. #5 Chris Diaz, 6-4
149: #2 Kyle Dake (C) maj. dec. #9 Brian Stephens, 10-0
157: #5 Jesse Dong (VT) dec. #10 D.J. Meagher, 5-2
165: #3 Justin Kerber (C) dec. #14 Pete Yates, 6-4 (SV), 6-4
174: #3 Mack Lewnes (C) fall Matt Epperly, 6:20
184: #4 Steve Bosak (C) dec. #16 Tommy Spellman, 4-1
197: Maciej Jochym (C) dec. Chris Penny, 12-8