No. 7 Virginia Tech tops No. 8 NC State 21-12 in ACC showdown

THIRD PERIOD: Mullen chose a neutral start for the third period. The Hokie continued to defend, but Trumble picked up a second takedown and rode Mullen out. Trumble won a 7-0 decision.

285 | #2 Isaac Trumble dec. #16 Jimmy Mullen (VT), 7-0

FINAL SCORE
#8 NC STATE 12, #7 Virginia Tech 21

— NC State Wrestling 🤼‍♂️ (@PackWrestle)

SECOND PERIOD: Trumble chooses down and earns a quick escape point. He continued to try and score on Mullen, earning a late takedown. Trumble rode Mullen out for a 4-0 lead after two.

FIRST PERIOD: With the dual already settled, NC State’s Isaac Trumble was looking for a resume opportunity against Jimmy Mullen. Both wrestlers attacked, but neither scored in the first period.

THIRD PERIOD: Sasso chose to start down and escaped fast. Sasso fired back with a takedown and tried to roll Brophy over. Virginia Tech’s challenge for back points failed, but Sasso rode for long enough to earn a riding time bonus. Sasso rode out the match and used his bonus to beat Brophy, 11-10.

SONNY. FREAKIN. SASSOOOO!!! 🦃

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling)

SECOND PERIOD: Sasso deferred, and Brophy chose a neutral start for the second period. After some heavy attacks from both men, Brophy earned a late takedown before Sasso escaped. With his foot barely in bounds, Brophy earned a second takedown by hooking both of Sasso’s legs. Brophy finished the second period with a 10-6 lead.

FIRST PERIOD: Patrick Brophy knows his team needs a win, ideally with bonus, against Sonny Sasso to keep NC State in the dual meet. He attacked early and scored a takedown in the first minute of the match. Sasso escaped. Tech's Sasso then returned the favor with a takedown in the final minute of the period. Brophy escaped and shot right back but could not find the takedown. The attack-heavy first period ended tied at four.

THIRD PERIOD: Desiante took the down position, and Singleton returned the Hokie to the mat three times before a stoppage for out of bounds. Singleton got hit with a caution for an early start but maintained control after another mat return to clear a minute of riding time. Desiante escaped to tie the match, but Singleton’s bonus gave him a 5-4 win.

Gritty bout for Singleton, but he finds a way

174 | #6 Matty Singleton dec. #31 Sergio Desiante (VT), 5-4

#8 NC STATE 9, #7 Virginia Tech 15

— NC State Wrestling 🤼‍♂️ (@PackWrestle)

SECOND PERIOD: Singleton started the second period down and escaped quickly. A late attack scored Singleton a takedown. The NC State wrestler took a 4-3 lead into the third period. Reynolds Coliseum is beginning to play a role in the dual meet.

FIRST PERIOD: All-American Matty Singleton started his match against Virginia Tech’s Sergio Desiante on the attack but didn’t register points. Desiante gained control of Singleton’s leg and earned a takedown late in the first period. Desiante returned Singledon to the mat and rode out the period, finishing the opening round with a 3-0 lead and 33 seconds of riding time.

THIRD PERIOD: Denny chose down. He escaped quickly to add another point to his lead. The Reynolds Coliseum noise began to rise for the first time in a while. Burton earned a takedown, which was confirmed after video review. Denny got hit with a caution for getting up early but escaped to bring the match level again. Burton stayed on the attack, but Denny countered and earned a takedown. Denny returned Burton to the mat twice to ride out the period and win the match for NC State.

Winner of the battle of true freshmen, Will Denny.

165 | #13 Will Denny dec. #12 Ryan Burton (VT), 8-5

Through 6/10 bouts
#8 NC STATE 6, #7 Virginia Tech 15

— NC State Wrestling 🤼‍♂️ (@PackWrestle)

SECOND PERIOD: Denny deferred, and Burton chose down but escaped within one second. Denny reached around and earned a takedown late in the period, and Burton escaped rather quickly. Denny took a 3-2 lead into the third period.

FIRST PERIOD: In a must-win match for NC State, Will Denny attacked early against Virginia Tech’s Ryan Burton in a freshman-on-freshman battle. Both men engaged in heavy hand-fighting, but neither established good enough position to score. The slate remained clean into the second period.

THIRD PERIOD: Gaj chooses down, and Buesgens gives Gaj an early escape. Gaj secures the riding time point as he continues to defend. Gaj avenged his loss from National Duals and earned a 6-0 win, adding to Virginia Tech’s lead.

We wouldn't take bottom against this Gaj. 🦃

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling)

SECOND PERIOD: Buesgens chose down, and Gaj took good control. Gaj gained a four-point near fall while still maintaining control. Gaj’s riding time cleared a minute and continued to look for more points. Buesgens was hit with a stall warning underneath. Gaj rode Buesgens for the entire two minutes and took a 4-0 lead into the second period.

FIRST PERIOD: NC State’s Koy Buesgens gained early control on Virginia Tech freshman standout Collin Gaj but failed to register a takedown before a neutral call. Buesgens continued to attack and wrapped around Gaj’s right knee. Buesgens defended to keep the match at 0-0 after one.

THIRD PERIOD: Jack chooses bottom and escapes quickly. Riding time is not a factor. Crook seized control of Jack’s left leg, but Jack took the action out of bounds before Crook could register a takedown. Jack then notched another takedown late to finish the match 7-2, giving NC State its first points of the night.

Tacking on another takedown seals it for RJ and gives the Pack much-needed points

141 | #13 Ryan Jack dec. #17 Tom Crook (VT), 7-2

Through 3/10 bouts
#8 NC STATE 3, #7 Virginia Tech 8

— NC State Wrestling 🤼‍♂️ (@PackWrestle)

SECOND PERIOD: Crook takes the bottom position, and Jack earns a mat return before going out of bounds. Crook soon escaped to cut Jack’s lead to one point. Jack continued attacking, and Crook is hit with a stall warning. Jack takes a one-point advantage into the third period

FIRST PERIOD: Virginia Tech’s Tom Crook defends some early attacks from NC State All-American Ryan Jack. Jack took control of Crook’s right leg and turned it into a takedown, and Crook escaped. Jack leads 3-1 after the opening frame.

TIEBREAKER 1: Ventresca chooses bottom, and Robinson gets a mat return quickly. Ventresca escapes in 10 seconds and picks up a point.

Ventresca then goes down for his turn in the tie-breaker and gets a caution for an early start with Robinson down. He then works for a mat return of his own and rides out Ventresca past the ten second mark before Robinson's escape. Ventresca’s riding time gives him the win in tiebreakers after a narrow battle between the two All-Americans. 

GAMER. EDDIE V JUST FINDS A WAY!!!

EDDIE VENTRESCA TAKES THE BOUT 3-2TB1!!!

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling)

SUDDEN VICTORY: Ventresca is being more aggressive, knowing that another stall call will end the match. Robinson defends well and returns to the center of the mat. Ventresca dominated the sudden victory period positionally but couldn’t land any attacks, and the match will continue to the tiebreakers.

THIRD PERIOD: Robinson gets out quickly to tie the match at one point each. Robinson is using Ventresca’s stall call to his advantage and is forcing action from the Hokie. Robinson’s blood causes a timeout with 28 seconds left. After the break, both wrestlers are content to go to a sudden victory period.

SECOND PERIOD: Virginia Tech’s Eddie Ventresca chooses bottom and escapes to neutral quickly, scoring the first point of the match. He defends from a knee and picks up a stall warning against Robinson’s attacks. Neither Ventresca nor NC State’s Vincent Robinson are willing to risk a counterattack. Ventresca ends the period leading 1-0. 

FIRST PERIOD: Both men are unable to land any offense in the opening minute but not for a lack of aggression. The two wrestlers were both calculated and didn’t throw any big attacks, but both defended well.

The No. 7 Virginia Tech vs. No. 8 NC State dual starts Friday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network. You can also follow along right here on krikya98.com for live updates.  

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐧

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐲. 𝐇𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬 🆚 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤.
📍 Reynolds Coliseum
🗓️ 7PM ET
📺
🎟️ 🦃

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling)

In a match that will define the ACC race, No. 7 Virginia Tech and No. 8 NC State renew their rivalry. The Hokies and Wolfpack have combined to win the last 13 conference titles, and the two teams have finished both first and second in eight of those 13 tournaments.

Here’s a preview of all 10 matches that will take place in Reynolds Coliseum on Friday.

125 pounds: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca vs. No. 5 Vincent Robinson or Brad Yokum

The 125-pound bout between Eddie Ventresca and Vincent Robinson could decide the dual. Ventresca hasn’t lost since the new year and has won nine straight matches, while Robinson is 10-2 after defending his national title. Robinson’s last loss came against Stanford’s Nico Provo, 4-1 in sudden victory on Jan. 16.

Ventresca got the better of Robinson with a 4-1 decision at the National Duals in November. He’s 3-0 against the Wolfpack sophomore in his career as well, also beating him in last year’s dual and at the ACC Championships by identical 4-1 scores, with the latter coming in sudden victory.

2025 - The Return of Eddie V

A year removed from injury, Eddie Ventresca returned in fashion with an upset over No. 3 Vincent Robinson to clinch the dual meet title for VT over NCSU. Ventresca would garner his second All-American honor in Philadelphia.
🎥 @chenrycreative

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling)

A win for Robinson would set up the Wolfpack for success and put him on track toward winning his first ACC title.

133 pounds: No. 7 Aaron Seidel vs. No. 33 Zach Redding or Troy Hohman

Virginia Tech true freshman Aaron Seidel is a perfect 12-0 this season and has been dominant, entering Friday off a major decision win against No. 8 Tyler Knox. His entry into the lineup has infused new energy into the Hokies, and he’s on a path to chase an NCAA title himself. Zach Redding or Troy Hohman will have a tough task holding Seidel to just a decision, let alone beating the freshman.

OTHER HOKIE NEWS: How 133-pound alum turned recruiting coordinator Sam Latona found a home in Blacksburg with the Hokies

Redding is 6-6 on the year after transferring from Iowa State last season. His best wins have come against No.  25 Julian Farber of Northern Iowa and No. 19 Ethan Oakley of North Carolina. While his experience could aid him, Seidel is on too much of a hot streak and will be heavily favored against the veteran Wolfpack wrestler.

141 pounds: No. 17 Tom Crook vs. No. 13 Ryan Jack

Virginia Tech’s Tom Crook and NC State’s Ryan Jack both enter Friday off losses: Crook dropped a 6-5 decision to Stanford’s Jack Consiglio and Jack lost 2-1 to North Carolina’s Luke Simcox. Both athletes could compete for a podium spot on their best day, and the result of this match could have significant conference and national seeding implications.

This one means more

🎟️

— NC State Wrestling 🤼‍♂️ (@PackWrestle)

Jack picked up an 8-4 decision win over Crook at the National Duals in his best performance of the season. He was one of only three NC State athletes to win during the last dual with the Hokies. The wrestler who rebounds best from last week’s matches will give his team the upper hand.

149 pounds: No. 9 Collin Gaj vs. No. 5 Koy Buesgens

The 149-pound battle between Collin Gaj and Koy Buesgens is an important one ahead of the national tournament. Gaj is one of two freshmen ranked in the top 10 of the ACC and has won his last eight matches, including a victory over No. 11 Aden Valencia. Buesgens is 17-1 this season with three top-10 wins.

Buesgens earned a tight 4-1 decision at the National Duals and is favored again, though a previous one-takedown match means anything can happen. This match is NC State’s chance to keep itself in the dual and create momentum heading into the second half.

157 pounds: No. 16 Ethen Miller vs. Luca Felix or Brogan Tucker

Maryland transfer Ethen Miller started his season with the Hokies in late December and has quickly and quietly picked up eight wins, including one over No. 17 Dylan Evans of Pittsburgh.

NC State's Luca Felix, meanwhile, lost at 157 pounds to Laird Root of North Carolina last weekend. His teammate Brogan Tucker lost by tech fall to Stanford’s No. 10 Daniel Cardenas earlier this month. Virginia Tech will be favored against either NC State option.

This match is an opportunity for Miller to earn bonus points for Virginia Tech and put the Hokies in an advantageous position heading into 165 and 174, where Tech has a slight edge at the former and could face challenges at the latter.

165 pounds: No. 12 Ryan Burton or Mac Church vs. No. 13 Will Denny

In a battle of two great freshmen, Virginia Tech's Ryan Burton and NC State's Will Denny meet in an important bout at 165 pounds. Burton earned his first career ACC win with a decision over EJ Parco of Stanford last week, and Denny has won 10 straight matches. Both have impressive records, with Denny boasting a 12-2 résumé and Burton competing in 24 matches to a 19-5 record. Their consistency and reps at this stage will make them dangerous come March and beyond.

Burton beat Denny 15-7 in November, but both wrestlers have improved substantially since their first meeting in Tulsa. Virginia Tech also has the option of rolling out Mac Church, a sophomore NCAA qualifier who won the Appalachian Open, in place of Burton. While Burton’s record against Denny suggests he’ll get the nod again, Tech’s depth here reflects the talent head coach Tony Robie is building in Blacksburg.

174 pounds: No. 31 Sergio Desiante vs. No. 6 Matty Singleton

NC State’s Matty Singleton enters the 174-pound match as a favorite with a 12-1 record and five straight wins. His lone loss came against Ohio State’s Carson Kharchla, 8-4, at the National Duals. He'll meet Sergio Desiante on Friday. Desiante started the year slow but has won 10 of his last 12 matches. The pair met at the National Duals, where Singleton earned a 7-1 decision. Last season, Singleton earned three wins over former Hokie All-American Lennox Wolak — a streak against Virginia Tech he’ll need to continue if he wants to help NC State stay in this contest.

184 pounds: No. 32 Jaden Bullock vs. Don Cates

A match that could go either way, the 184-pound bout features Michigan transfer Jaden Bullock of Virginia Tech against sixth-year wrestler Don Cates of NC State. Neither athlete has finished on the podium in their career, and both could be battling for NCAA qualifying spots come March. Cates needs the win more, entering with a 6-7 record. Bullock is 12-10 after winning the Appalachian Open and has previously reached the Round of 16.

Cates kept the bout close last time, dropping a 4-1 decision to Bullock. If he reverses that result, he could push Bullock out of the rankings. But national implications will be secondary on Friday — it’s all about the rivalry.

197 pounds: No. 16 Sonny Sasso vs. No. 25 Patrick Brophy or Cason Howle

Virginia Tech’s Sonny Sasso enters Reynolds Coliseum having lost his two ACC dual matches this season to Pittsburgh’s No. 8 Mac Stout and No. 14 Angelo Posada. He’ll be favored in this bout, though, against NC State’s No. 25 Patrick Brophy, who also lost to Posada but enters Friday off a win over Robert Platt.

Brophy began his season in late December and has amassed a 5-2 record as a member of the Wolfpack after spending his first three years at The Citadel and qualifying for the national tournament last year. He’s tough and made headlines last season when he beat Oklahoma State’s Luke Surber, but Sasso is gritty, too. The Hokie brings a 15-5 record into this bout, including a win over All-American Joey Novak and a 12-6 victory over Brophy in their last meeting. If NC State can flip this match, the Wolfpack put themselves in a strong position heading into heavyweight. If Sasso proves too much, Brophy must avoid giving up bonus points.

285 pounds: No. 16 Jimmy Mullen vs. No. 2 Isaac Trumble

Isaac Trumble is a title threat. Ranked No. 2 in the country, he enters Friday’s dual with a perfect 9-0 record, including a win over Ohio State’s No. 3 Nick Feldman. The All-American will face Jimmy Mullen, who has won 11 of his 12 matches since the National Duals. The match is an opportunity for Mullen to make a statement in the heavyweight division, but Trumble has been dominant with four falls and two tech falls and is unlikely to waver.

During the meeting in Tulsa, Mullen beat NC State reserve Everest Ouellette by tech fall. Trumble and Mullen met in last season’s dual as well, with Trumble winning 5-3. Trumble was also the hero for the Wolfpack against Virginia earlier this month, pinning Brenan Morgan to lift the Pack over the Cavaliers. If the dual comes down to heavyweight, NC State will rely on its anchor for another clutch performance.