No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies Defeat No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers, 22-15

This past Sunday the No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies wrestling team hosted the No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers for the NWCA National Duals.

No. 3 Joey Dance started the Hokies off with a win over another Top Ten opponent when he defeated Nebraska’s No. 6 Tim Labert at 125. Three of the next four opponents Virginia Tech faced were ranked in the Top 15 of their respective weight classes. Nebraska’s No. 4 Eric Montoya (133), No. 14 Colton McCrystal ( 141), and No. 3 Tyler Berger (157) all defeated their Hokie opponents. VT’s No. 6 Solomon Chishko defeated Collin Purinton at 149. After Nebraska’s Dustin Williams defeated VT’s Ryan Bless at 165 the Hokies found themselves down 15-6, missing an injured Zach Epperly and facing two more Top 15 Nebraska athletes.

David Bergida subbed in for the injured Epperly at 174 and defeated Nebraska’s Justin Arthur, kicking off a win streak that would carry the Hokies to victory. No. 6 Zack Zavatsky beat Eric Engler at 184. Next up the Hokies faced a duo of ranked opponents. In a battle of Top Tens, Virginia Tech’s No. 3 Jared Haught defeated Nebraska’s No. 6 Aaron Studebacker, 3-2. VPI’s heavyweight, No. 5 Ty Walz, defeated No. 14 Collin Jensen. Fortunately, the Hokie heavies were able to finish with a four win streak, earning VPI the 22-15 victory.

At 18-1 the Hokies next travel to Raleigh, North Carolina for the ACC Championships to on March 4.

Congratulations, gentlemen! Best of luck at the ACC Championships!

Go Hokies!!!