Virginia

Early Line-up Look: Virginia Tech Hokies – FloWrestling

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2023

Press Room

Early Line-up Look: Virginia Tech Hokies – FloWrestling

Overview

Head coach: Tony Robie

Assistants: Jared Frayer, Cody Brewer, Jared Haught

2023 NCAA match end: ninth

2023 NCAA match factors: 49

2023 NCAA match report: 26-20

2023 ACC match end: 2nd

2023 twin report: 10-3 (4-1)

Returning nationwide qualifiers: 11 (Eddie Ventresca, Sam Latona, Tom Criminal, Collin Gerardi, Caleb Henson, Bryce Andonian, Connor Brady, Mekhi Lewis, Andy Smith, Hunter Catka, Dakota Howard)

Returning All-People: 4 (Eddie Ventresca, Sam Latona, Bryce Andonian, Mekhi Lewis)

Final NCAA champion: Mekhi Lewis (2019)

Highest NCAA staff end: 4th (2016)

Highest NCAA staff end below Robie: sixth (2017)

Most place winners below Robie: 5 (2017, 2023)

Abstract

Virginia Tech had a balanced line-up final season and could have one other balanced line-up coming into the 2023-24 season (assuming everybody returns). Tony Robie leads one of the crucial constant and dependable applications within the nation with nationwide match finishes of sixth, eighth, eleventh, 14th, eighth, and ninth since taking up this system in 2017.

That’s a testomony to the high-caliber wrestlers coming into this system. Robie tied his private excessive of 5 All-People and has a stellar recruiting class on the way in which, highlighted by 5 wrestlers ranked within the prime 100: Jimmy Mullen (8), Mac Church (20), Sonny Sasso (35), Hunter Mason (31), and Raphael Hipolito (69).

Caleb Henson completed fifth on the NCAA Championships within the powerful 149-pound class following a 28-5 marketing campaign. Henson will proceed to be a focus because the staff pushes towards its second trophy in program historical past.

There’s no telling if 2019 nationwide champion Mekhi Lewis will return, however the line-up will probably be formidable if he does. Virginia Tech will a enjoyable staff to observe once you add in All-People Eddie Ventresca, Sam Latona, Henson, and Bryce Andonian. The Hokies ought to be ok with the way forward for this system.

Virginia Tech’s Projected 2023-24 Line-up

125: Eddie Ventresca (AA)

133: Sam Latona (AA)

141: Tom Criminal (NQ)

149: Caleb Henson (AA)

157: Bryce Andonian (AA)

165: Connor Brady (NQ)

174: Mekhi Lewis (NC)

184: Sam Fisher

197: Andy Smith (NQ)

285: Hunter Catka (NQ)

125: Edde Ventresca, SO
2023 report: 22-9
2023 NCAA match report: 4-2 (seventh)

Ventresca will get pushed by teammate Copper Flynn, however that is Ventresca’s weight till confirmed in any other case. The Roxbury, New Jersey, native had nationwide match the place each match was shut. He dropped a 3-1 quarterfinal match to Nebraska’s Liam Cronin within the quarterfinals earlier than wrestling again for seventh. His matches in opposition to high-caliber opponents are all the time shut, so don’t be shocked if he works his approach up the rostrum subsequent season.

Ventresca gained his seventh-place match over a tricky Killian Cardinale of West Virginia

133: Sam Latona, JR
2023 report: 28-8
2023 NCAA match report: 4-2 (seventh)

Latona completed the season with a formidable stat on his resume: he handed Cornell’s Vito Arujau his solely loss on the season. Arujau had a masterful efficiency on the NCAA Championships, highlighted by dominant wins over Oklahoma State’s Daton Repair and Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Younger for his first nationwide title.

That didn’t cease Latona from giving Arujau all he might deal with at nationals. He dropped his quarterfinal match to the Massive Crimson Star, 8-5, but it surely was aggressive till the ultimate whistle. The Alabaster, Alabama, native completed seventh, which is his second All-American honor following a sixth-place end in 2021.

There’s no query that Latona is one of the best wrestler Alabama has ever produced.

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Latona gained his seventh-place match over convention rival Kai Orine of NC State

141: Tom Criminal
2023 report: 17-11
2023 NCAA match report: 1-2 (DNP)

Senior Colin Gerardi might make a push for the spot however, for proper now, that is Criminal’s spot. Gerardi can also be a returning nationwide qualifier however Criminal is the one one of many two to publish a win at nationals. This weight is broad open however deep. Criminal and Gerardi are each strong choices coming into the season.

149: Caleb Henson, SO
2023 report: 27-5
2023 NCAA match report: 6-2 (fifth)

Robie calls Henson one of many mentally hardest wrestlers he’s ever seen. He proved his coach proper by successful 4 matches in a row within the comfort bracket after falling to Indiana’s Graham Rooks within the second spherical.

Putting fifth at 149 kilos as a real freshman is not any small feat — particularly once you take a look at the high-level wrestlers who didn’t place. Henson’s star will proceed to rise in 2024.

Henson gained his fifth-place match over Iowa’s Max Murin

157: Bryce Andonian
2023 report: 12-4
2023 NCAA match report: 4-2 (seventh)

Andonian had a restricted 2023 schedule but it surely was exhilarating each time he stepped onto the mat. If wrestlers have been judged by an on-the-mat leisure index, then Andonian can be close to the highest.

The Kirtland, Ohio, native positioned seventh at nationals throughout his first crack at 157 kilos following a third-place end at 149 final yr. He had eventual nationwide finalist Levi Haines on the ropes within the quarterfinals earlier than dropping by fall. Andonian is harmful and will probably be a key a part of the staff if he returns.

Andonian misplaced to Michigan’s Will Lewan on the All-Star meet however defeated him throughout his ultimate match of the season

165: Connor Brady, JR
2023 report: 15-11
2023 NCAA match report: 1-2 (DNP)

Brady certified for this third consecutive NCAA Championship and picked up his second win this yr. He misplaced a 2-1 choice to Ohio State’s Carson Kharchla, and gained 5-0 over Brevin Cassella (Binghamton), earlier than getting knocked out of the match, 5-2, by Nebraska’s Bubba Wilson. All his losses are shut, so a couple of extra wins from Brady throughout the 2023-24 season will make a distinction.

174: Mekhi Lewis, SR
2023 report: 22-3
2023 NCAA match report: 4-2 (4th)

Mekhi Lewis is the best wrestler in program historical past. He’s Virginia Tech’s solely NCAA champion and the primary Hokie wrestler to put within the prime 4 at nationals on three separate events.

There’s no indication if he’ll return subsequent season, however he will probably be a vital a part of a trophy push if he’s within the line-up.

184: Sam Fisher, JR
2023 report: 23-5

Fisher will seemingly take over the 184-pound spot vacated by Hunter Bolen following his commencement. Bolen certified for the NCAA Championships 5 occasions and positioned seventh in 2021. Fisher posted a 23-5 report over the course of 5 tournaments and three duals final season. This offers Virginia Tech a longtime possibility at 184 kilos.

197: Dakota Howard, JR
2023 report: 15-9
2023 NCAA match report: 0-2

Give Howard the nod since he certified for the 2023 NCAA Championships, however Dakota Howard or TJ Stewart will contend for the spot. Stewart posted a 17-5 report throughout his redshirt season, whereas Howard certified for the NCAA match in 2021 at 174 kilos.

285: Hunter Catka, SO
2023 report: 19-8
2023 NCAA match report: 0-2

It appears seemingly that Jimmy Mullen will redshirt, so the spot seems to be locked down for one more yr by Catka. Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, has one win over the course of two NCAA Championships, which suggests the Hokies will probably be glad to get a couple of factors at nationals from the 285-pound class. That is nonetheless a tricky weight class nationally, so snagging an additional win or two will probably be troublesome.

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Virginia

Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Texas Tech

Published

2 hours ago

November 30, 2024

Press Room

Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Texas Tech

The final game of the 2024 regular season is here. West Virginia will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock this afternoon, looking for win No. 7. Can they get it? Here are our predictions for the game.

West Virginia’s pass defense is going to be tested today, with Behren Morton slinging it all over the place. Morton puts up big numbers, but a lot of his passes come out of the quick game with some shots mixed in. Tech plays at a very high-tempo and West Virginia has struggled against offenses that have turned it up a notch this season, most notably Pitt.

While Texas Tech’s pass defense is even worse than West Virginia’s, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Mountaineers will have their way through the air. Without Traylon Ray and Jaden Bray, WVU will be a little shorthanded at receiver, and unit as a whole has struggled to win versus man coverage all season long.

West Virginia can’t afford to let Texas Tech dictate the tempo and flow of this game. If they try to play to Tech’s speed, they’ll get boatraced. They have to do everything they can to hold onto the football and milk the clock to limit possessions.

WVU hangs in, but Texas Tech comes out victorious.

Prediction record: 7-4.

Texas Tech is looking to secure its first eight-win regular season since 2009 on Saturday. The Red Raiders started the season 5-1 but have since dropped three of their last five games, although they did go into Ames and knock off an, a then, 11th-ranked Iowa State team.

West Virginia has seen more lows than highs this season, considering the expectations in and surrounding the program. However, the Mountaineers are determined to close out the regular season with a win.

Texas Tech has been really good in Lubbock at regular season finales and are 10-2, including an eight-game winning streak in those games. Meanwhile, West Virginia head coach Neal Brown is 4-0 during Thanksgiving week, which generally falls on the regular season finale, but during the COVID season, the Mountaineers eventually wrapped up the regular season in Ames on December 5th. However, there was a scheduled game against Oklahoma on Dec. 12 in Morgantown, but the game was canceled. So, lets stick with the Thanksgiving week stat.

Neal Brown captured his first win against Texas Tech in Morgantown last year after dropping the first four meetings.

The Red Raiders will be motivated for redemption on the toughness of running back Thaj Brooks. The senior has rushed for over 100 yards in all 10 of his appearances this season, tallying 1,317 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Behren Morton has been solid for Texas Tech this season, throwing for 2,976 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Despite all their offensive success, the defense, like West Virginia’s, has been their downfall. It’s hard to believe there’s been worse defense than the Mountaineers, but the Red Raiders are in contention with Oklahoma State to take the title of “Big 12’s Worst Defense”.

In what I believed to be a ‘toss up’ game from the beginning of the season holds true today. I don’t like the stats against WVU in this one with Tech’s home success and recent series history, but like last week, I’m going with the intangible Garrett Greene.

The Mountaineers did not necessarily need heroics in last week’s win against UCF, but they will more than likely need some big plays down the stretch to steal the victory and I don’t believe will allow it to happen.

Garrett Greene has a big fourth quarter while running backs CJ Donalson and Jahiem White pound the rock in the running game and steal a victory in Lubbock 37-34.

Prediction record: 7-4.

Virginia

PHOTOS: Virginia National Guard soldiers return from deployment in time for Thanksgiving

Published

10 hours ago

November 30, 2024

Press Room

PHOTOS: Virginia National Guard soldiers return from deployment in time for Thanksgiving

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia National Guard (VNG) soldiers returned home from deployment in Poland on Wednesday — just in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families.

The soldiers were assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group and reunited with family, friends and VNG senior leaders on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

These reunions came after the soldiers had been serving on federal active duty since March of this year.

The 529th was based at Forward Operating Site in Karliki, Poland and was responsible for supply missions, logistics and maintenance. They also serve as a headquarters element for Task Force Cavalier, which oversees operations and training for over 550 soldiers from 4 different subordinate units from active-duty Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

Among the people there to greet the returning soldiers and thank them for their service was Major General James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia and Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard — the VNG Director of the Joint Staff.

“You showed tremendous resiliency,” said Lt. Col. Carlos Maldonado, commander of TF Cavalier at the TOA. “You overcame and absolutely crushed the mission. Through it all, Cavalier you persevered.”

To learn more about what their deployment entailed, click here.

Continue scrolling to see photos of the soldiers returning home to their families:

Soldiers returning to Virginia (Courtesy of Virginia National Guard Public Affairs Office)

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Spread & Over/Under Predictions for West Virginia vs. Arizona

Published

18 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

Spread & Over/Under Predictions for West Virginia vs. Arizona

It’s the final day of the Battle 4 Atlantis and the West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping to leave the Bahamas with a third-place finish in the event. Winning the whole thing would have been extremely impressive considering the field, but Darian DeVries’ squad has already notched a key resume-building win over Gonzaga and can do so again today against No. 24 Arizona.

Here are my picks for today’s game. Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

1 Star – Not very confident
2 Star – A little confident
3 Star – Fairly confident
4 Star – Very confident
5 Star – Should be a lock to happen

3-star play on Arizona (-6.5): This is a really tough matchup for the Mountaineers playing its third game in three days. When these two meet later in the year, I believe WVU will put together a much stronger showing and potentially even win the game. Not there, though.

The Wildcats have a nine-man rotation, which occasionally will be a ten-man. WVU’s key players have logged a ton of minutes over the last two days, with both games going to overtime. As evidenced in yesterday’s game, if the Mountaineers face serious foul trouble, it impacts them more than most teams due to a lack of depth. Amani Hansberry should be able to produce a third straight big game, but if he starts picking up fouls left and right, WVU will be in trouble. Arizona’s guard-heavy lineup will attack and finish around the rim with ease.

I’ve got the Wildcats pulling away with a strong second half.

1-star play on the under: Arizona is a high-scoring team that likes to push the tempo. They’ve averaged 67 field goal attempts in this tournament, whereas WVU has attempted 59 and 63 in games that went to overtime. For West Virginia to win, they’re going to have to slow things down when they have the ball, much like they did in the opening-round game against Gonzaga.

I mentioned fatigue setting in as a possibility in the WVU-Louisville game yesterday, and although Darian DeVries isn’t using that as an excuse, you can tell it played a factor for both teams, especially in the first half. Both squads looked sloppy, slow, and disjointed. I seriously doubt WVU and Arizona will have an extra bounce in their step today, playing for the third time in three days and in a game deciding who takes home third place.

ATS: 3-3 (50%)
O/U: 4-2 (66%)
Overall: 7-5 (58%)

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