LYNCHBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech has swept the Virginia Sports Information Directors’ (VaSID) top honors for wrestling this year, led by Devin Carter as Wrestler of the Year. His teammate Nick Brascetta claims Rookie of the Year honors, while Kevin Dresser takes home his second straight Coach of the Year award.
It is the first time that three different individuals from the same program have swept the organization’s awards. In 2008, Old Dominion claimed each top honor, but the Monarchs’ James Nicholson was voted as both the Commonwealth’s top wrestler and rookie performer.
Carter, last year’s VaSID Rookie of the Year, followed his stellar freshman season with a standout sophomore campaign. The Christiansburg, Va., native earned All-America honors with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, which included three pins. Carter concluded the year with a 36-5 overall record. He won his second-straight ACC title at 133 pounds and garnered ACC Wrestler of the Year honors after claiming individual titles at the Hokie Open, Wolfpack Open, Nittany Lion Open and Midlands tournaments during the season.
Brascetta maintains the Hokies’ stronghold on VaSID’s rookie award, as the 149-pounder is the fourth-straight Virginia Tech representative to earn the honor. A native of St. Paris, Ohio, Brascetta went 22-6 overall this season en route to the ACC title at 149 pounds and being named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year. Brascetta recorded one victory at the NCAA Championships, upsetting ninth-seeded David Habat of Edinboro.
Dresser led the Hokies to an 8-6 mark and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Championships. His team recorded 39.0 team points, both serving as program highs. The Hokies produced two NCAA All-Americans, six NCAA qualifiers and three ACC champions.
Pete Yates, who was an All-American who finished fifth, was the other Hokie who earned first-team all-state honors. Nick Vetterlein (197) and Chris Penny (285) were named to the second team.
Virginia led the VaSID All-State team selections, claiming six total representatives, while Virginia Tech followed closely behind with five. Old Dominion, Virginia and Virginia Tech each placed three on the first team listing.
Old Dominion totaled four selections, while the Apprentice School and VMI followed with three and one honorees, respectively. The VaSID wrestling teams include wrestlers from the Division I, Division III and NAIA ranks.
2012 VaSID All-State Wrestling Team
Wrestler of the Year: Devin Carter, Virginia Tech
Rookie of the Year: Nick Brascetta, Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year: Kevin Dresser, Virginia Tech
First Team
125: Matt Snyder, Virginia
133: Devin Carter, Virginia Tech
141: Nick Nelson, Virginia
149: Nick Brascetta, Virginia Tech
157: John Nicholson, Old Dominion
165: Pete Yates, Virginia Tech
174: Te Edwards, Old Dominion
184: Jon Fausey, Virginia
197: Joe Budi, Old Dominion
HWT: Ian Jones, Apprentice School
Second Team
125: Ty Ford, Apprentice School
133: Marcus Chevres, Apprentice School
141: Justin LaValle, Old Dominion
149: Gus Sako, Virginia
157: Jed Moore, Virginia
165: Nick Sulzer, Virginia
174: Matthew Brock, VMI
184: N/A
197: Nick Vetterlein, Virginia Tech
HWT: Chris Penny, Virginia Tech
For updates on Virginia Tech wrestling, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Wrestling).