Virginia placed fourth in the competition behind NC State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina, buying bids to the NCAA Championship for six of 10 wrestlers who competed on the day.
The abrupt end to the season couldn’t have come at a worse time for Virginia, as the Cavaliers were picking up quite a bit of momentum.
After facing four of the nation’s top 10 teams in conference dual meets, Virginia came into the ACC Tournament primed and ready to compete.
Virginia bounced back from the losing streak with a big win over Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Panthers (8-3, 2-1 ACC) came into this meet as a heavy favorite over the Cavaliers (7-5, 0-3 ACC) who have yet to win an ACC dual.
The Cavaliers were huge underdogs against the Hokies, and came into the match having lost nine of their last ten duals against Virginia Tech.
In its conference opener, Virginia traveled to Raleigh, N.C. to play No. 5 NC State. The Cavaliers (7-3, 0-1 ACC) fell 28-9 to the Wolfpack (11-0 1-0 ACC) in a tough loss.
Overall, three Cavalier wrestlers finished the weekend undefeated: No. 9 197 lbs. junior Jay Aiello, No. 18 133 lbs. junior Louie Hayes, and 149 lbs. junior Michael Murphy.
The hosts, Pennsylvania took first place in the event. The Cavaliers were just 13,5 points behind the hosts, who finished with 152.5.
No. 24 Virginia looked dominant this weekend, cruising past Southern Virginia and Maryland in the Cavalier Duals before placing in the Southeast Open.
The 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships was hosted at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh this past weekend, starting Thursday and wrapping up Saturday.
Of the 10 wrestlers Virginia sent to Blacksburg for the ACC Championships, four secured automatic bids to the upcoming NCAA Championships.
While they competed well, the Cavaliers (12-10, 1-4 ACC) couldn't ultimately defeat the Panthers (13-3, 3-2 ACC) who secured their fifth victory in a row.
Fresh off its first ACC victory last week, the No. 22 Virginia wrestling team was unable to notch two wins in a row, losing to No.14 Virginia Tech Saturday at the Moss Arts Center.
The Cavaliers (12-8, 1-2 ACC) won six weight classes against the Blue Devils (2-7, 0-3 ACC) and took the visitors down 26-17.
Parents, families and friends of the Class of 2021 are invited to place a congratulatory ad in the ANNUAL GRADUATION ISSUE of The Cavalier Daily. This keepsake issue will be distributed around Grounds starting May 20 and can be shipped to your home. Make sure to save your graduate’s spot today!
