Tweet

PHILADELPHIA - Two Virginia Tech wrestlers got their seasons started a week early, participating Saturday night in the prestigious NWCA All-Star Classic, held inside The Palestra on the campus of Penn University. Devin Carter took down 20th-ranked C.J. Cobb, 17-11, at 149 pounds but Joey Dance fell to No. 3 Alan Waters, 4-3, at 125 pounds.

Before the main event got started, Carter, who is ranked third in the country, took the mat in a Showcase Match. The senior got off to a slow start, giving up two first-period takedowns to Cobb of host Penn. But the Christiansburg, Virginia, native kept about his ways and battled back with two escapes and two takedowns in the second period to take a 9-6 lead. In the final stanza, Carter finished strong with three takedowns and a point for riding time to cap the 17-11 win. While Cobb took down Carter four times, Carter got six takedowns to help account for the difference.

In the main event, fourth-ranked Dance and third-ranked Waters were scoreless after one period. Waters got an escape to start the second period but Dance, a sophomore from Christiansburg, Virginia, connected on a spinning, double-leg takedown to score the first offensive points. Waters escaped late to send it to the third period tied. Dance chose neutral, but is was Waters who got the takedown with 30 seconds left to seal the win. A late escape by Dance accounted for the final score.

The matches were exhibitions for both competitors and will not count on their season or career records.

The 12th-ranked Hokie wrestling team will begin its season next weekend, taking on Division-II Newberry on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside Cassell Coliseum. Admission for that is free. The following day, the program will host the annual Hokie Open this year inside Rector Fieldhouse on campus.

Tickets are on sale for the three matches at the Moss Arts Center (Virginia, Pitt, NC State). You can purchase them at vthoki.es/moss

For updates on Virginia Tech wrestling, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Wrestling