Virginia Tech wrestling tops UNC in ACC opener

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BLACKSBURG (WSLS SPORTS via hokiesports.com/wrestling)– The 12th-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team opened itsACC slate with a victory over 15th-ranked North Carolina at the Moss Arts Center on Saturday.

The Hokies down the Tarheels 27-13 in the battle between ranked ACC foes, dominating a very talented North Carolina squad.

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Junior Joey Dance notched his second fall in as many days, giving Tech a 6-0 lead after the 125 pound bout that opened the night. In his first ACC dual since winning a championship as a freshman, Dennis Gustafson won a 9-1 major decision at 133 pounds. In a ranked matchup, redshirt freshman Solomon Chishko put the Hokies up 13-0 after a 7-3 decision.

Fourth ranked Nick Brascetta made his return to the mat, competing for the first time since the Penn State dual, winning a 16-5 bout. At 184 pounds, Zack Zavatsky took down his 20th-ranked opponent 6-2 to give the Hokies a 20-13 lead with two weight classes remaining. Out of his comfort zone, Austin Gabel won the match of the night in a back-and-forth bout, scoring a two-point reversal in the last period for a 7-6 victory. Ty Walz's 14-5 major decision at heavyweight gave the Hokies their 27th point of the night, securing Tech's victory to move to 1-0 in league competition.

The Hokies will be back in action on Friday, January 29th, when they host West Virginia on Senior Night in Cassell Coliseum.

Quick Hits:

· The Hokies are now 5-0 in the Moss Arts Center, including 3-0 against ranked foes and 3-0 against ACC competition

· Tech hasn't lost a dual to North Carolina since 2005, before head coach Kevin Dresser took over the program

· Solomon Chishko picked up his third upset win in Blacksburg, this time over eighth-ranked Joey Ward

· The Hokies move to 9-2 on the season, with victories over two ranked teams

RESULTS:

#12 Virginia Tech Hokies 27, #15 UNC Tarheels13

125 - Joey Dance (Virginia Tech) over Anthony Bosco (UNC), Fall

133 - Dennis Gustafson (Virginia Tech) over James Szymanski (UNC), 9-1

141 - Solomon Chishko (Virginia Tech) over Joey Ward (UNC), 7-3

149 – Evan Henderson (UNC) over Sal Mastriani (Virginia Tech), Fall

157 – Nick Brascetta (Virginia Tech) over Robert Henderson (UNC), MD 16-5

165 – John Miichael Staudenmayer (UNC) over David McFadden (Virginia Tech), Dec. 6-0

174 – Ethan Ramos (UNC) over David Bergida (Virginia Tech), MD 14-5

184 - Zack Zavatsky (Virginia Tech) over Alex Utley (UNC), Dec. 6-2

197 - Austin Gabel (Virginia Tech) over Chip Ness (UNC), Dec. 7-6

285 - Ty Walz (Virginia Tech) over Cory Daniel (UNC), MD 14-5

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For more information, please visit hokiesports.com/wrestling