Missouri wrestling falls on the road against Virginia Tech

No. 9 Missouri wrestling came up short against No. 8 Virginia Tech. The Tigers fell 23-10 in a competitive dual in Blacksburg, Va.

The dual began with a tightly contested 125-pound match, where Gage Walker faced Virginia Tech’s Eddie Ventresca. Walker kept it close before falling 6-5, giving the Hokies a slim 3-0 lead. Kade Moore wrestled at 133 pounds, facing No. 17 Connor McGonangle from Virginia Tech. Moore failed to score, losing 3-0 and putting the Tigers in a 6-0 hole. At 141 pounds, No. 17 Josh Edmond fought hard against No. 19 Sam Latona. But Latona pulled off the upset with a 4-2 win, extending the Hokies’ lead to 9-0.

The Hokies continued to roll with No. 1 Caleb Henson securing a 9-0 major decision win over Logan Gioffre at 149 pounds. Virginia Tech’s Rafael Hipolito Jr. followed up with an 11-3 win over James Conway at 157 pounds, as the home team held a 13-0 lead against the Tigers.

However, Missouri began to rally late into the dual. At 165 pounds, No. 11 Cam Steed put the Tigers on the board with an 8-1 decision over Virginia Tech’s Mac Church, cutting the lead to 13-3. No. 1 Keegan O’Toole delivered a 13-5 major decision win at 174 pounds over No. 5 Lennox Wolak, narrowing the gap to 13-7. No. 10 Colton Hawks kept the momentum going with an 8-2 win at 184 pounds over No. 13 Thomas Stewart Jr., pulling Missouri to within three points

But Virginia Tech secured the win with victories in the final two matches. At 197 pounds, Virginia Tech’s No. 19 Andy Smith slid by Aeoden Sinclair 12-9. In the heavyweight division of 285 pounds, No. 10 Jimmy Mullen defeated Seth Nitzel 4-2, sealing the win for the Hokies.

The Tigers stay on the road as they travel to face No. 17 Illinois at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com