Iowa State beats Virginia Tech to win National College Division title at 36th annual Virginia Duals
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by Jason Bryant, Special to TheMat.com
Hampton, Virginia – Back in November, Virginia Tech’s 32-3 victory over Iowa State might have said a lot about the direction both programs were heading.
What a difference two months can make in the wild world of college wrestling.
For Iowa State, it’s been the addition of Gabe Moreno and Marcus Harrington back into the lineup. For Virginia Tech it’s been the missing in action status from a handful of starters, including a pair of All-Americans. Combine those things and you have a recipe for Iowa State’s 16-14 win over the fifth-ranked Hokies to capture the National College Division championship at the 36th annual Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va., on Saturday night.
One of they key points in the dual came early where Iowa State All-American Earl Hall scored a reversal at the buzzer to beat Dennis Gustafson 6-5 at 133 pounds.
Gustafson scored a go-ahead takedown with 18 seconds to go. Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson challenged shortly thereafter, asking for a locking hands penalty on Gustafson, but while the call on the mat stood, it gave Hall a restart and he made it count, turning into the Hokie and getting the two at the buzzer.
“It shouldn’t come down to a reversal with seven seconds left for Earl Hall, he’s that good,” said Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson, who’s team made its first Virginia Duals appearance since 1990.
Following the bout, Gustafson slammed his headgear in frustration and it cost the Hokies a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That team point deduction would loom large later in the dual.
“I thought (our guys) competed the best in the championship round. Each weight class fought real hard,” said Jackson. “Virginia Tech’s a good team, I know they were down a few guys.”
Virginia native Joey Dance got the Hokies started at 125 pounds with a 6-1 win over Kyle Larson. Dance scored a pair of takedowns and finally broke the match open with a late takedown and a riding time point.
Sal Mastriani also came back to action for the Hokies in Hampton. The New Jersey native overpowered Iowa State’s Gabe Moreno for a 6-3 victory at 149 pounds. The win extended Virginia Tech’s lead to 8-3.
A pair of reserves tangled at 157 pounds as Virginia Tech two-time All-American Nick Brascetta is still out of action and Iowa State’s Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer was disqualified on Friday for flagrant misconduct. Instead, we got a back and forth battle between Virginia Tech’s Jake Spengler and Iowa State’s Logan Breitenbach. The Cyclone would prevail 12-7 after opening up a sizeable lead in the second period.
Iowa State’s Tanner Weatherman took down David McFadden 4-1 at 165 pounds. It was the third meeting between the two with Weatherman winning the last two bouts after falling to McFadden in the dual meet back in November.
Weatherman was voted the National College Division’s outstanding wrestler.
Lelund Weatherspoon gave Iowa State four big bonus points with a major decision over Virginia Tech true freshman Cody Hughes. The Hokie was thrust into action due to Zach Epperly’s indeterminate absence. The win gave the Cyclones a 13-8 victory.
Zack Zavatsky gave the Hokies three more points after a 3-0 win over Dane Pestano at 184 pounds. At 197 pounds, Virginia Tech’s Austin Gabel wrestled his first match in over a year, bumping up from 184 pounds but fell to Marcus Harrington 8-6 at 197 pounds. This gave Iowa State a 16-11 lead heading into the dual’s final bout.
Harrington and Breitenbach were two freshmen who played a key role in the win.
“Our expectations for our freshman are high, but we know they’re going to struggle from time to time,” said Jackson.
Needing at least technical fall to give Virginia Tech the win, Ty Walz was unable to score bonus points against Iowa State’s Joe Scanlan. Walz’s 10-3 decision wasn’t enough and the Cyclones would claim its first Virginia Duals title since 1986.
Chattanooga beat Arizona State 22-13 for third place in Saturday’s final session.
In a battle of Division II programs, Kutztown topped Minnesota State Moorhead 32-3 to win the American College Division. The Golden Bears, in their first Virginia Duals appearance, earned four major decisions en route to the victory.
Minnesota State Moorhead’s 133-pounder Blake Bosch was voted the American College Division’s outstanding wrestler. Central Florida beat Liberty 32-13 for third place in a dual between two NCWA programs.
In the National High School Division, Nazareth (Pa.) won its fourth championship and first since 2007 defeating Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 46-21. Nazareth’s nationally-ranked Sammy Sasso was voted the outstanding wrestler of the division. Colonial Forge (Va.), the defending champions, defeated St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) for third place.
Eastern View (Va.) won the American High School Division for the first time in school history. The Cylcones topped Bellefonte (Pa.) 42-24 in the finals. Eastern View previously won the Black & Blue High School Division in 2013. Lexington (S.C.) 106-pounder Jake Brausser was voted the outstanding wrestler in the division. Camden Catholic beat Haddonfield 40-34 for third place in a battle of New Jersey teams.
Two Virginia teams tangled in the finals of the Black & Blue Division and Grassfield High School of Chesapeake topped Grundy 33-28. Grassfield finished third the previous two years. Smithfield defeated Oscar Smith for third place. Oscar Smith’s Trevon Majette was voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.
VIRGINIA DUALS
At Hampton, Va.
NATIONAL COLLEGE DIVISION
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (Places 1-4)
1st place – Iowa State 16, Virginia Tech 14
125 - Joey Dance (Virginia Tech University) over Kyle Larson (Iowa State University) Dec 6-1
133 - Earl Hall (Iowa State University) over Dennis Gustafson (Virginia Tech University) Dec 6-5
141 - Soloman Chishko (Virginia Tech University) over John Meeks (Iowa State University) Dec 6-2
149 - Sal Mastriani (Virginia Tech University) over Gabe Moreno (Iowa State University) Dec 6-3
157 - Logan Breitenbach (Iowa State University) over Jake Spengler (Virginia Tech University) Dec 12-7
165 - Tanner Weatherman (Iowa State University) over David McFadden (Virginia Tech University) Dec 4-1
174 - Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State University) over Cody Hughes (Virginia Tech University) Maj 12-4
184 - Zack Zavatsky (Virginia Tech University) over Dane Pestano (Iowa State University) Dec 3-0
197 - Marcus Harrington (Iowa State University) over Austin Gabel (Virginia Tech University) Dec 8-6
285 - Ty Walz (Virginia Tech University) over Joe Scanlan (Iowa State University) Dec 10-3
Virginia Tech minus one team point
3rd place – Chattanooga 22, Arizona State 13
125 - Alonzo Allen (Chattanooga) over Ares Carpio (Arizona State University) TF 22-7
133 - Cody Hill (Chattanooga) over Mikel Perales (Arizona State University) Dec 11-7
141 - Mike Pongracz (Chattanooga) over Robert Mathers (Arizona State University) Maj 15-6
149 - Christian Pagdilao (Arizona State University) over Andrew Webb (Chattanooga) Dec 17-10
157 - Oliver Pierce (Arizona State University) over Kamaal Shakur (Chattanooga) Maj 11-3
165 - Dominic Lampe (Chattanooga) over Jacen Petersen (Arizona State University) Maj 16-7
174 - Barrett Walthall (Chattanooga) over Preston McCalmon (Arizona State University) Dec 9-3
184 - McCoy Newberg (Chattanooga) over Anthony Anderson (Arizona State University) Maj 9-0
197 - Joshua Dasilveira (Arizona State University) over DJ Smith (Chattanooga) Dec 3-1
285 - Chance Eskam (Arizona State University) over Connor Tolley (Chattanooga) Dec 8-2
Chattanooga minus one team point
Semifinals – Virginia Tech 28, Arizona State 12
Semifinals – Iowa State 22, Chattanooga 13
SILVER MEDAL BRACKET PAIRINGS (Places 5-8)
5th place – Kent State 23, Old Dominion 13
7th place – Bucknell 28, Rider 13
Semifinals –Kent State 22, Bucknell 17
Semifinals –Old Dominion 26, Rider 14
BRONZE MEDAL BRACKET PAIRINGS (Places 9-12)
9th place – George Mason 18, Grand Canyon 13
11th place – The Citadel 22, Campbell 17
Semifinals –Grand Canyon 23, The Citadel 12
Semifinals – George Mason 26, Campbell 10
AMERICAN COLLEGE DIVISION
1st – Kutztown 32, Minnesota State-Moorhead 3
3rd – Central Florida 32, Liberty 13
5th – Ferrum 44, Apprentice 6
7th – Camden County College 38, Anderson 15
Semifinals
Kutztown 28, Liberty 15
Minnesota State – Moorhead 24, Ferrum16
Consolation round 2
Central Florida 32, Camden County College 16
Apprentice 32, Anderson 19
Consolation semifinals
Central Florida 24, Ferrum 21
Liberty 44, Apprentice 9
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Nazareth (Pa.) 46, Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 21
3rd – Colonial Forge (Va.) 34, St. Augustine Prep (N.J.), 30
Semifinals
Nazareth (Pa.) 39, St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) 18
Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 40, Colonial Forge (Va.) 29
Consolation Semifinals
St. Augustine Prep (N.J) 28, South Plainfield (N.J.) 27
Colonial Forge (Va,.) 36, Smyrna (Del.) 20
AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Eastern View (Va.) 42, Bellefonte (Pa.) 24
3rd – Camden Catholic (N.J.) 40, Haddonfield (N.J.), 34
Semifinals
Eastern View (Va.) 31, Haddonfield (N.J.) 30
Bellefonte (Pa.) 32, Kellam (Va.) 26
Consolation semifinals
Haddonfield (N.J.) 48, Lexington 18
Camden Catholic (N.J.) 39, Kellam (Va.) 36
BLACK AND BLUE HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Grassfield (Va.) 31, Grundy (Va.) 26
3rd – Smithfield (Va.) 38, Oscar Smith (Va.) 37
Semifinals
Grundy (Va.) 53, Smithfield (Va.) 15
Grassfield (Va.) 35, Oscar Smith (Va.) 25
Consolation semifinals
Smithfield (Va.) 37, Poquoson (Va.) 33
Oscar Smith (Va.) 38, Hickory (Va.) 32
What a difference two months can make in the wild world of college wrestling.
For Iowa State, it’s been the addition of Gabe Moreno and Marcus Harrington back into the lineup. For Virginia Tech it’s been the missing in action status from a handful of starters, including a pair of All-Americans. Combine those things and you have a recipe for Iowa State’s 16-14 win over the fifth-ranked Hokies to capture the National College Division championship at the 36th annual Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va., on Saturday night.
One of they key points in the dual came early where Iowa State All-American Earl Hall scored a reversal at the buzzer to beat Dennis Gustafson 6-5 at 133 pounds.
Gustafson scored a go-ahead takedown with 18 seconds to go. Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson challenged shortly thereafter, asking for a locking hands penalty on Gustafson, but while the call on the mat stood, it gave Hall a restart and he made it count, turning into the Hokie and getting the two at the buzzer.
“It shouldn’t come down to a reversal with seven seconds left for Earl Hall, he’s that good,” said Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson, who’s team made its first Virginia Duals appearance since 1990.
Following the bout, Gustafson slammed his headgear in frustration and it cost the Hokies a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That team point deduction would loom large later in the dual.
“I thought (our guys) competed the best in the championship round. Each weight class fought real hard,” said Jackson. “Virginia Tech’s a good team, I know they were down a few guys.”
Virginia native Joey Dance got the Hokies started at 125 pounds with a 6-1 win over Kyle Larson. Dance scored a pair of takedowns and finally broke the match open with a late takedown and a riding time point.
Sal Mastriani also came back to action for the Hokies in Hampton. The New Jersey native overpowered Iowa State’s Gabe Moreno for a 6-3 victory at 149 pounds. The win extended Virginia Tech’s lead to 8-3.
A pair of reserves tangled at 157 pounds as Virginia Tech two-time All-American Nick Brascetta is still out of action and Iowa State’s Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer was disqualified on Friday for flagrant misconduct. Instead, we got a back and forth battle between Virginia Tech’s Jake Spengler and Iowa State’s Logan Breitenbach. The Cyclone would prevail 12-7 after opening up a sizeable lead in the second period.
Iowa State’s Tanner Weatherman took down David McFadden 4-1 at 165 pounds. It was the third meeting between the two with Weatherman winning the last two bouts after falling to McFadden in the dual meet back in November.
Weatherman was voted the National College Division’s outstanding wrestler.
Lelund Weatherspoon gave Iowa State four big bonus points with a major decision over Virginia Tech true freshman Cody Hughes. The Hokie was thrust into action due to Zach Epperly’s indeterminate absence. The win gave the Cyclones a 13-8 victory.
Zack Zavatsky gave the Hokies three more points after a 3-0 win over Dane Pestano at 184 pounds. At 197 pounds, Virginia Tech’s Austin Gabel wrestled his first match in over a year, bumping up from 184 pounds but fell to Marcus Harrington 8-6 at 197 pounds. This gave Iowa State a 16-11 lead heading into the dual’s final bout.
Harrington and Breitenbach were two freshmen who played a key role in the win.
“Our expectations for our freshman are high, but we know they’re going to struggle from time to time,” said Jackson.
Needing at least technical fall to give Virginia Tech the win, Ty Walz was unable to score bonus points against Iowa State’s Joe Scanlan. Walz’s 10-3 decision wasn’t enough and the Cyclones would claim its first Virginia Duals title since 1986.
Chattanooga beat Arizona State 22-13 for third place in Saturday’s final session.
In a battle of Division II programs, Kutztown topped Minnesota State Moorhead 32-3 to win the American College Division. The Golden Bears, in their first Virginia Duals appearance, earned four major decisions en route to the victory.
Minnesota State Moorhead’s 133-pounder Blake Bosch was voted the American College Division’s outstanding wrestler. Central Florida beat Liberty 32-13 for third place in a dual between two NCWA programs.
In the National High School Division, Nazareth (Pa.) won its fourth championship and first since 2007 defeating Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 46-21. Nazareth’s nationally-ranked Sammy Sasso was voted the outstanding wrestler of the division. Colonial Forge (Va.), the defending champions, defeated St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) for third place.
Eastern View (Va.) won the American High School Division for the first time in school history. The Cylcones topped Bellefonte (Pa.) 42-24 in the finals. Eastern View previously won the Black & Blue High School Division in 2013. Lexington (S.C.) 106-pounder Jake Brausser was voted the outstanding wrestler in the division. Camden Catholic beat Haddonfield 40-34 for third place in a battle of New Jersey teams.
Two Virginia teams tangled in the finals of the Black & Blue Division and Grassfield High School of Chesapeake topped Grundy 33-28. Grassfield finished third the previous two years. Smithfield defeated Oscar Smith for third place. Oscar Smith’s Trevon Majette was voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.
VIRGINIA DUALS
At Hampton, Va.
NATIONAL COLLEGE DIVISION
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (Places 1-4)
1st place – Iowa State 16, Virginia Tech 14
125 - Joey Dance (Virginia Tech University) over Kyle Larson (Iowa State University) Dec 6-1
133 - Earl Hall (Iowa State University) over Dennis Gustafson (Virginia Tech University) Dec 6-5
141 - Soloman Chishko (Virginia Tech University) over John Meeks (Iowa State University) Dec 6-2
149 - Sal Mastriani (Virginia Tech University) over Gabe Moreno (Iowa State University) Dec 6-3
157 - Logan Breitenbach (Iowa State University) over Jake Spengler (Virginia Tech University) Dec 12-7
165 - Tanner Weatherman (Iowa State University) over David McFadden (Virginia Tech University) Dec 4-1
174 - Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State University) over Cody Hughes (Virginia Tech University) Maj 12-4
184 - Zack Zavatsky (Virginia Tech University) over Dane Pestano (Iowa State University) Dec 3-0
197 - Marcus Harrington (Iowa State University) over Austin Gabel (Virginia Tech University) Dec 8-6
285 - Ty Walz (Virginia Tech University) over Joe Scanlan (Iowa State University) Dec 10-3
Virginia Tech minus one team point
3rd place – Chattanooga 22, Arizona State 13
125 - Alonzo Allen (Chattanooga) over Ares Carpio (Arizona State University) TF 22-7
133 - Cody Hill (Chattanooga) over Mikel Perales (Arizona State University) Dec 11-7
141 - Mike Pongracz (Chattanooga) over Robert Mathers (Arizona State University) Maj 15-6
149 - Christian Pagdilao (Arizona State University) over Andrew Webb (Chattanooga) Dec 17-10
157 - Oliver Pierce (Arizona State University) over Kamaal Shakur (Chattanooga) Maj 11-3
165 - Dominic Lampe (Chattanooga) over Jacen Petersen (Arizona State University) Maj 16-7
174 - Barrett Walthall (Chattanooga) over Preston McCalmon (Arizona State University) Dec 9-3
184 - McCoy Newberg (Chattanooga) over Anthony Anderson (Arizona State University) Maj 9-0
197 - Joshua Dasilveira (Arizona State University) over DJ Smith (Chattanooga) Dec 3-1
285 - Chance Eskam (Arizona State University) over Connor Tolley (Chattanooga) Dec 8-2
Chattanooga minus one team point
Semifinals – Virginia Tech 28, Arizona State 12
Semifinals – Iowa State 22, Chattanooga 13
SILVER MEDAL BRACKET PAIRINGS (Places 5-8)
5th place – Kent State 23, Old Dominion 13
7th place – Bucknell 28, Rider 13
Semifinals –Kent State 22, Bucknell 17
Semifinals –Old Dominion 26, Rider 14
BRONZE MEDAL BRACKET PAIRINGS (Places 9-12)
9th place – George Mason 18, Grand Canyon 13
11th place – The Citadel 22, Campbell 17
Semifinals –Grand Canyon 23, The Citadel 12
Semifinals – George Mason 26, Campbell 10
AMERICAN COLLEGE DIVISION
1st – Kutztown 32, Minnesota State-Moorhead 3
3rd – Central Florida 32, Liberty 13
5th – Ferrum 44, Apprentice 6
7th – Camden County College 38, Anderson 15
Semifinals
Kutztown 28, Liberty 15
Minnesota State – Moorhead 24, Ferrum16
Consolation round 2
Central Florida 32, Camden County College 16
Apprentice 32, Anderson 19
Consolation semifinals
Central Florida 24, Ferrum 21
Liberty 44, Apprentice 9
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Nazareth (Pa.) 46, Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 21
3rd – Colonial Forge (Va.) 34, St. Augustine Prep (N.J.), 30
Semifinals
Nazareth (Pa.) 39, St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) 18
Northern Lebanon (Pa.) 40, Colonial Forge (Va.) 29
Consolation Semifinals
St. Augustine Prep (N.J) 28, South Plainfield (N.J.) 27
Colonial Forge (Va,.) 36, Smyrna (Del.) 20
AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Eastern View (Va.) 42, Bellefonte (Pa.) 24
3rd – Camden Catholic (N.J.) 40, Haddonfield (N.J.), 34
Semifinals
Eastern View (Va.) 31, Haddonfield (N.J.) 30
Bellefonte (Pa.) 32, Kellam (Va.) 26
Consolation semifinals
Haddonfield (N.J.) 48, Lexington 18
Camden Catholic (N.J.) 39, Kellam (Va.) 36
BLACK AND BLUE HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
1st – Grassfield (Va.) 31, Grundy (Va.) 26
3rd – Smithfield (Va.) 38, Oscar Smith (Va.) 37
Semifinals
Grundy (Va.) 53, Smithfield (Va.) 15
Grassfield (Va.) 35, Oscar Smith (Va.) 25
Consolation semifinals
Smithfield (Va.) 37, Poquoson (Va.) 33
Oscar Smith (Va.) 38, Hickory (Va.) 32
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