Tech Sideline Work

TechSideline.com • 22nd April 2024

Virginia Tech Wrestling Names Zach Tanelli Associate Head Coach

Virginia Tech wrestling named Zach Tanelli as an associate head coach on Monday. He’ll replace departing coach Cody Brewer, who joined Princeton’s program this offseason.

“We could not be more excited to have Zach and his family join the Virginia Tech wrestling family,” Hokies head coach Tony Robie said in the program’s release. “You can’t overstate how great of a job Zach did building a winning culture at Columbia. Getting another coach on staff that has the experience and skill set to excel i

TechSideline.com • 15th April 2024

Connor McGonagle Commits To Virginia Tech Wrestling

Tony Robie and Virginia Tech wrestling earned their second commitment of the offseason on Monday in Lehigh’s Connor McGonagle.

He joins Columbia’s Lennox Wolak as the second transfer portal addition in Blacksburg. Lennox replaces Hokies national champion Mekhi Lewis at 174 pounds.

McGonagle, a Danville, N.H., native, adds another talented lightweight to Tech’s wrestling room and is expected to start at 133 next season.

A three-time NCAA qualifier, McGonagle began his career at 141 before drop

TechSideline.com • 9th April 2024

Caleb Henson's Rise To A National Title: ‘I’m Going To Put The Nation On Notice’

The day is November 7, 2022. Woodland High School’s Adrian Tramutola’s phone lights up with a text from one of his former wrestlers.

It’s Caleb Henson. The Virginia Tech freshman just wrapped up a dominant showing at the Southeast Open, earning a fall and technical fall in his 5-0 outing a week ahead of the regular season.

His message is a simple, yet powerful one: “On Friday, I’m going to put the nation on notice.”

Four days later, he notched his first career dual victory over Ohio State’s t

TechSideline.com • 24th March 2024

Caleb Henson Wins Title, Hokies Wrestling Finishes Seventh At NCAAs

Caleb Henson won Virginia Tech wrestling’s second-ever national title on Saturday night as the Hokies finished seventh at the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City. Tech recorded a cumulative team score of 64 points — its highest point-total since 2016 and third straight top-10 finish.

In addition to Henson, Mekhi Lewis, TJ Stewart and Bryce Andonian achieved All-American status at the tournament. Lewis became the program’s first four-time All-American over the weekend.

Although the Hokies fell just

TechSideline.com • 23rd March 2024

Caleb Henson Wins Virginia Tech Wrestling's Second-Ever National Championship

Caleb Henson won Virginia Tech wrestling’s second individual national championship on Saturday night, defeating Michigan’s No. 6 seed Austin Gomez 15-7 in the 149-pound title match. The win comes five years to the day after Mekhi Lewis won the program’s first national title at 165 pounds.

After an initial takedown from Gomez, Henson countered with two takedowns and six back points to lead 13-4 at the end of the first period. He staved off the former All-American over the final two periods, only

TechSideline.com • 20th March 2024

Virginia Tech Wrestling Sends 10 To Kansas City On Thursday

Virginia Tech wrestling travels to Kansas City on Thursday for the NCAA Championships. The Hokies are sending a full 10-man lineup to the tournament for the second straight year and the third time in program history. They are only one of three programs to send 10 wrestlers in back-to-back years, joining Missouri and Oklahoma State.

Mekhi Lewis leads the way as the No. 1 seed at 174, one of Tech’s three wrestlers seeded in the top seven. Caleb Henson is the No. 4 seed at 149 and TJ Stewart lande

TechSideline.com • 11th March 2024

Lewis, Stewart Earn Titles, Virginia Tech Wrestling Places Second At ACCs

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Virginia Tech finished as the runner-up at the ACC Tournament for the fourth straight year on Sunday, but saw Mekhi Lewis and TJ Stewart bring home individual titles. Tech finished second with 86.5 points behind NC State, who finished with 116.

The Hokies had seven wrestlers earn automatic qualifier bids for the NCAA Tournament, with eight wrestlers making the podium at their respective weights.

Lewis (174) won his fourth ACC title by dominating NC State’s Alex Faison (5-1)

TechSideline.com • 9th March 2024

No. 11 Virginia Tech Is Taking It One Game At A Time, For Better Or Worse

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In March, teams have to take it one game at a time. Matchups shuffle and seasons can end in a matter of seconds. For Kenny Brooks and Virginia Tech, internalizing that mentality isn’t just an option — it’s a must.

“Games are games,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks told reporters after the Hokies’ 82-53 ACC Tournament semifinal loss to Notre Dame. “It counts as one loss. … We’ll look at it. We’ve got 24 wins and seven losses, and we’ll regroup and get ready for the NCAA Tournamen

TechSideline.com • 8th March 2024

Youth Movement Pays Dividends For Virginia Tech In Win Over Miami

GREENSBORO, N.C. — When you lose your leading scorer and three-time ACC player of the year less than a week before the postseason, it forces you to retool and reboot — quickly. The plan for Kenny Brooks and No. 11 Virginia Tech? Just hoop.

“We had to figure out what we were going to do [without Elizabeth Kitley],” Brooks told reporters after Virginia Tech’s 55-47 ACC Tournament quarterfinal win over Miami on Friday. “We made up a couple of plays. We had a play called ‘summertime’ today, and it

TechSideline.com • 6th March 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Seeks ACC Title In Chapel Hill

No. 12 Virginia Tech begins the postseason on Sunday in Chapel Hill at the ACC Championship. Tech finished second in the ACC in the regular season with a 4-1 conference record, landing behind undefeated No. 7 NC State.

The Hokies have three No. 1 seeds in the tournament in Caleb Henson (149), Mekhi Lewis (174) and TJ Stewart (184). Cooper Flynn (125), Andy Smith (197) and Hunter Catka (285) all earned No. 2 seeds. The Wolfpack lead the conference with four No. 1 seeds.

Tech has a chance to bri

TechSideline.com • 24th February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Falls To No. 7 NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. — Despite winning four of the first five matches of the night, No. 12 Virginia Tech couldn’t get past No. 7 NC State on Friday night in a 20-12 loss.

The Hokies (9-4, 4-1 ACC) dropped the final five bouts against the Wolfpack (16-2, 5-0), blowing an initial 12-3 lead at the halfway point in the dual.

Tech kicked off the night with a bang at 149, as No. 2 Caleb Henson earned his third career win over NC State’s No. 3 Jackson Arrington, 4-1. The win was his 24th of the season as he

TechSideline.com • 22nd February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Battles No. 7 NC State For ACC Title

No. 12 Virginia Tech heads to Raleigh on Friday to battle No. 7 NC State for the ACC dual meet title. The dual is at 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

The Hokies (9-3, 4-0 ACC) and Wolfpack (15-2, 4-0) have combined to win at least a share of the ACC dual championship every year since 2014, according to Brian Reinhardt.

The matchup is set to feature ranked vs. ranked bouts at nine weights with seven wrestlers in the top four at their respective weights.

Both teams enter the dual on six-match winn

TechSideline.com • 17th February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Handles No. 23 Pitt On the Road

No. 12 Virginia Tech took care of business against No. 23 Pitt on the road on Friday night, 26-12. The win was Tech’s sixth in a row, preserving its undefeated record in the ACC.

The Hokies (9-3, 4-0 ACC) took seven of the 10 bouts against the Panthers (8-8, 1-3), including three bonus-point wins. They were dominant from a defensive perspective, only allowing one takedown in their seven victories.

Tech was powered by ranked wins from TJ Stewart (184), No. 13 Sam Latona (133) and No. 2 Caleb He

TechSideline.com • 16th February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Faces No. 23 Pitt On Friday

No. 12 Virginia Tech wrestling travels to the Steel City on Friday to take on No. 23 Pitt. The match is at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.

The Hokies (8-3, 3-0 ACC) look to avenge last season’s 26-12 loss to the Panthers (8-7, 1-2) in Blacksburg. They dropped seven of the 10 bouts in that match, which started off with Cooper Flynn being pinned in 44 seconds.

Tech enters Friday night’s dual after back-to-back dominant performances over the weekend in which it dismantled Duke (45-0) and George M

TechSideline.com • 11th February 2024

No. 13 Virginia Tech Wrestling Suplexes George Mason On Senior Day

No. 13 Virginia Tech suplexed George Mason on Saturday on senior day, 42-5. The Hokies took nine of the 10 matches against the Patriots, eight of which were bonus-point wins.

Tech (8-3, 3-0 ACC) earned a pin and five tech falls against George Mason (10-9, 3-4 MAC) in the blowout.

“[Our] guys were fired up, excited, having fun, scoring a lot of points,” Tech head coach Tony Robie said after the match. “That was a challenge, when you [have] an opportunity to win a bunch of matches and score a lo

TechSideline.com • 10th February 2024

No. 13 Virginia Tech Wrestling Shuts Out Duke At Moss Arts Center

No. 13 Virginia Tech shut out Duke 45-0 on Friday night in its annual match at the Moss Arts Center. The Hokies dominated from start to finish and only allowed the Blue Devils to score one takedown in the entire dual.

Tech (7-3, 3-0 ACC) earned seven technical fall victories against Duke (4-11, 0-3) en route to the shutout win.

The Hokies started the night with a 16-4 major decision win from No. 5 Cooper Flynn (125) over Duke’s Logan Agin. He scored on a takedown in the first period before tak

TechSideline.com • 8th February 2024

No. 13 Virginia Tech Wrestling Hosts Duke In Annual Moss Arts Center Match

No. 13 Virginia Tech hosts Duke on Friday in the program’s annual Moss Arts Center dual. The match is at 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

The Hokies (6-3, 2-0 ACC) shut out the Blue Devils (4-10, 0-2) in Durham last season, 45-0. Tech is 34-13 all-time against Duke, winning the last 19 meetings.

Tech enters Friday night’s dual coming off a dominant 27-9 win over Virginia where it won eight of the 10 bouts.

Duke has struggled this season and shouldn’t provide much of a challenge for Tech. Friday

TechSideline.com • 3rd February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Pummels Virginia In Commonwealth Clash, 27-9

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Offense sells tickets. Defense wins matches. As much was true for Virginia Tech in its 27-9 Commonwealth Clash win over Virginia in Charlottesville Friday night.

The Hokies (6-3, 2-0 ACC) took eight of the 10 bouts against the Cavaliers (7-3, 1-1), using elite defense to edge out some close victories. Tech only allowed 19 points across the eight wins, an average of just 2.4 points per bout.

No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (174) moved to 9-0 on the year with an impressive win over Virg

TechSideline.com • 1st February 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Travels To Charlottesville To Face Virginia

No. 12 Virginia Tech travels to Charlottesville on Friday to take on Virginia in the latest edition of the Commonwealth Clash. The Hokies and Cavaliers will face off in John Paul Jones Arena for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The match is at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.

The Hokies (5-3, 1-0 ACC) come into Friday night coming off of their 33-3 demolition of North Carolina to open ACC play.

Tech looks to continue its dominance against Virginia (7-2, 1-0) after winning the last nine

TechSideline.com • 27th January 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Throttles North Carolina in ACC Opener, 33-3

No. 12 Virginia Tech steamrolled North Carolina 33-3 in its ACC opener Friday night to start 1-0 in conference play for the second straight season.

The Hokies (5-3, 1-0 ACC) won nine of the 10 matchups against the Tar Heels (7-6, 1-0) including four bonus-point victories and two ranked upsets.

“I was pleased in a sense where I felt like there were some guys that made some adjustments in some areas that we’ve been working on,” Tech head coach Tony Robie said after the match. “I think that makes

TechSideline.com • 25th January 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Hosts North Carolina In ACC Opener

No. 12 Virginia Tech (4-3) welcomes North Carolina (7-5) to Blacksburg on Friday night to begin ACC play. The match is at 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network Extra.

The Hokies enter Friday night’s dual on a three-match win streak against the Tar Heels, most recently taking them down 28-8 in Chapel Hill last season.

Once again heavy favorites against North Carolina, Tech will look to start 1-0 in conference play for the second-straight year.

Here are a few things to look out for on Friday night:

No.

TechSideline.com • 13th January 2024

No. 12 Virginia Tech Wrestling Cruises Past No. 26 Appalachian State

No. 12 Virginia Tech cruised past No. 26 Appalachian State in a 28-10 victory on Friday night in Blacksburg to pick up its fourth dual win of the season before ACC play begins.

“I was real pleased with the way we wrestled tonight and the effort and emotion that our guys had,” Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie said after the match. “It was good to be back in Cassell and wrestling in front of our fans. Our fans bring the energy and it’s a big deal.”

Tech (3-4) took seven of the 10 matches agai

TechSideline.com • 8th January 2024

No. 11 Virginia Tech Wrestling Falls At No. 8 Cornell

No. 11 Virginia Tech dropped its second straight dual match on the road against No. 8 Cornell on Sunday, 24-13. Despite winning three of the first four bouts, the Hokies lost momentum after No. 8 Bryce Andonian injury defaulted in the 157-pound match.

Tech (3-3) led Cornell (4-2) 10-3 through the first four matches of the afternoon prior to Andonian’s injury.

Following a takedown of Cornell’s No. 15 Meyer Shapiro in the first 35 seconds of the bout, Andonian’s right leg got tied 40 seconds lat

TechSideline.com • 3rd January 2024

No. 9 Virginia Tech Wrestling Falls To No. 3 Missouri In Columbia, 22-17

Despite earning a few key early upsets early in the night, No. 9 Virginia Tech couldn’t get over the hump against No. 3 Missouri on Tuesday in a 22-17 loss.

The Hokies (3-2) and Tigers (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) split the bout with five matches apiece, but four of Mizzou’s wins were bonus-point victories; Virginia Tech only had one.

Tech jumped out to a hot start through the first half of the dual, winning four of the first five matches, including three upsets.

No. 10 Cooper Flynn (125) gave Virginia