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BLACKSBURG - The 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team defeated No. 25 Old Dominion, 22-12, on Senior Day in its final home dual match in front of 726 fans at Cassell Coliseum Sunday evening. Prior to the match, Tech honored seniors Nick Murray and David Marone for their contributions to the wrestling program.

Action began at 133 pounds as top-ranked Devin Carter dominated Eric Dunnet with 12 takedowns en route to a 27-12 technical fall, worth four team points as Carter did not score any back points. No. 19 Zach Neibert picked up his third overall and fastest pin of the season at 141 pounds as he earned the fall in 3:46 over Taylor Moeder to make the team score 10-0.

A close bout followed at 149 pounds as Tech’s Nick Brascetta was tied with Brennan Brumley 2-2 late in the third period. Brascetta was then awarded a penalty point because of stalling, but Brumley held the advantage in riding time and the bout was forced into a sudden victory. After a scoreless period, Brumley opened the scoring in the first 30-second tiebreaker period as he escaped from the bottom. However, Brascetta countered with a takedown and two back points later in the period and held on in the second tiebreaker period for the 7-4 victory.

Old Dominion would get on the board as John Nicholson earned a 9-4 decision over Cameron Hurd at 157 pounds, but seventh-ranked Pete Yates answered for the Hokies at 165 pounds with a decision by a 9-2 count over Tristan Warner, which made the score 16-3 Tech.

The Monarchs’ lone ranked wrestler, No. 17 Te Edwards, scored a 4-2 decision over Chris Moon at 174 pounds. Old Dominion’s Billy Curling used a late takedown in the third period to defeat John Dickson at 184 pounds, 3-2 and Joe Budi continued the ODU win streak with a 6-2 decision over Nick Vetterlein at 197 pounds, cutting the Hokie lead to 16-12.

Tech’s Chris Penny scored a big win for the Hokies at heavyweight as he downed Grant Chapman, 8-2, extending the Hokie lead to seven at 19-12. In the final bout of the night at 125 pounds, Erik Spjut tallied a 3-1 decision over Jerome Robinson with a takedown in the first period being the difference, making the final score 22-12.

“I was pleased with the ways our guys came out especially after getting back from Oklahoma so late last night,” said Tech head coach Kevin Dresser. “Old Dominion is a feisty bunch, but considering all the adversity and all the injuries we’ve been through, it was a good way to finish January off. We now get a week or so off here and get ready for the National Duals and the past of the season.”

With the win, Tech improves to 7-4 overall, while ODU falls to 11-8.

The Hokies, ranked No. 23 in the NWCA/USA Today Coaches’ Poll will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 12 when they travel to Ames, Iowa wrestle in the Midwest Regional of the NWCA National Duals. The NWCA will release the bracket for the regional the week of Feb. 6. Tech’s regional includes host Iowa State, No. 6 Iowa, No. 17 Oregon State, Northern Iowa and Wisconsin.

#23 Virginia Tech (7-4) 22, #25 Old Dominion (11-8) 12
133: #1 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall (4) Eric Dunnet, 27-12 (6:59)
141: #19 Zach Neibert (VT) fall Taylor Moeder, 3:46
149: Nick Brascetta (VT) dec. Brennan Brumley, 7-4 (TB1)
157: John Nicholson (ODU) dec. Cameron Hurd, 9-4
165: #7 Pete Yates (VT) dec. Tristan Warner, 9-2
174: #17 Te Edwards (ODU) dec. Chris Moon, 4-2
184: Billy Curling (ODU) dec. John Dickson, 3-2
197: Joe Budi (ODU) dec. Nick Vetterlein, 6-2
285: Chris Penny (VT) dec. Grant Chapman, 8-2
125: Erik Spjut (VT) dec. Jerome Robinson, 3-1

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