The No. 20 Virginia wrestling team took a step away from team competition as it traveled to Lock Haven, Pa. for the Mat Town Open Sunday. The open was the first individual competition that the Cavaliers (3-2, 0-0 ACC) participated in since the Clarion Open earlier this month.
The Mat Town Open is set up as a double elimination tournament, which allowed many of the wrestlers to compete against several different opponents. The Virginia wrestlers had their fair share of success in the open, as five wrestlers placed and two wrestlers earned championships in their weight classes.
Freshman Sam Krivus claimed a major decision and a decision before falling in the semifinal match, but went on to win the third place match with a 7-0 decision in the 141 pound weight class. Redshirt freshman Garrett Peppelman also secured a third place win at 165 pounds.
A pair of decisions led redshirt freshman Will Schany to the championship round of the 184-pound weight class, where he fell to freshman Kellan Stout of No. 1 Penn State to finish second. Senior Chris Yankowich fell to senior Ken Theobold of No. 15 Rutgers in the 149-pound championship bout to take another second place award for Virginia.
Two major decisions and a technical fall led senior Joseph Martinez to the championship round, where he defeated Drexel’s junior Tanner Shoap with a major decision in order to claim the title in the 125-pound weight class. Martinez was also competing unattached.
Senior Patrick Gillen beat out his Cavalier teammate, senior Ethan Hayes, 5-3 in the championship bout of the heavyweight competition, leaving Virginia with both the first and second place awards in the weight class.
The Cavaliers have a brief break before returning to competition Dec. 4, when they travel to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Invitational.
Read More
No. 6 women’s lacrosse relies on veteran goalscoring to defeat Virginia Tech 14-12
By Peter Kratz | 2 hours agoThe Hokies came close, but ultimately couldn’t contend with the Cavaliers’ offensive firepower.
Leo Afonso is ascending the ranks of club soccer — and he is not done yet
By Ben Istvan | YesterdayVirginia's former talisman recently made waves in professional soccer with a dreamlike 17-day stretch.
Virginia softball fumbles last home game of the season to Virginia Tech
By Eleanor Lynch | 2 days agoThe Hokies shut out the Cavaliers, who continue to show immense struggles at the plate.
