No. 14 Virginia wrestling headed to Salem, Va. for the Hokie Duels against Virginia Military Institute, Kent State and No. 20 Wisconsin. The Cavaliers (5-1) won two of their three matches, but fell to the Badgers in heartbreaking fashion.
Virginia began action Sunday against the Keydets, winning nine of 10 matches in a 42-3 rout. No. 15 junior Joe Spisak recorded a technical fall, and No. 5 junior Nick Sulzer and sophomore Patrick Gillen each earned six points via pin.
Virginia then turned its attention to Wisconsin. The Badgers took the first two matches. Spisak then upset No. 10 redshirt freshman Jess Thielke to spark a Cavalier rally, with Virginia taking four of the next five matches. The Cavaliers held a 17-10 advantage entering the 184-pound bout, only to drop the final three matches — all by decision — to give the Badgers a two-point victory, 19-17.
The Cavaliers righted the ship in their final match against Kent State. No. 14 junior Gus Sako, Sulzer and No. 13 senior Stephen Doty all won by major decision. Spisak won by decision to secure his third win of the afternoon. However, after taking the first seven bouts, the Cavaliers surrendered wins in two of the final three weight classes.
Virginia returns to the mat Sunday, Nov. 24th for a showdown with defending ACC champion No. 8 Virginia Tech at John Paul Jones Arena.
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