Tech comes in sixth at NCAA Wrestling Championships

The Hokies' five All-Americans were honored at Parade of All-Americans event

March 18, 2017

	F
UNC Asheville	48
(7) Virginia Tech	86

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Virginia Tech wrestling team finished in sixth place in the team competition at the NCAA Wrestling Championships held Thursday through Saturday at the Scottrade Center.

The Hokies, who finished in the top 10 for the fifth straight season, stood in sixth place going Saturday’s championship matches. Minnesota had a chance to pass the Hokies, but both Brett Pfarr (197 pounds) and Ethan Lizak (125) lost in their respective finals matches. The Hokies put up 63.5 points and ended up ahead of the Golden Gophers by a point.

On Saturday night, All-Americans were recognized, both in the Parade of All-Americans before the championship matches and also during the championship matches, as the NCAA presented All-America plaques to each of the top eight finishers in each weight class. Tech’s five All-Americans – Joey Dance (125), Solomon Chishko (149), Sal Mastriani (157), Jared Haught (197) and Ty Walz (heavyweight) – all participated.

Walz, a fifth-year senior, leaves Tech as a three-time All-American – just one of three in the history of the program (Devin Carter and Nick Brascetta). Chishko and Haught earned All-America honors for the second straight year. Dance followed his 2014 All-America honor with the one this year, while Mastriani is an All-American for the first time.

The NCAA Wrestling Championships marked the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.

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