2023 Virginia Tech vs Ohio State: Behind-The-Scenes

2023 Virginia Tech vs Ohio State Wrestling Live Updates

2023 Virginia Tech vs Ohio State Wrestling Live Updates

Live updates for the wrestling dual meet between #4 Virginia Tech and #13 Ohio State on Friday, November 10, 2023.

Nov 10, 2023 by Jon Kozak
2023 Virginia Tech vs Ohio State Wrestling Live Updates

#13 Ohio State is traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on #4 Virginia Tech on Friday, November 10 at 7:00 pm (ET). This top-ranked matchup is an incredible early-season dual and will be filled with exciting bouts from start to finish. We'll update the article below in real-time, so be sure to refresh this page once the dual begins. 

125: #4 Eddie Ventresca, Virginia Tech vs Brendan McCrone, Ohio State

Ventresca gets in on an early low-single leg and fights for the takedown - Ventresca takes the early 3-0 lead. Ventresca gets close to a turn but isn't able to get the swipes and the position is ultimately stalemated. With about a minute to go McCrone almost gets the escape but turned in for the reversal and Ventresca is able to scramble through the position - he avoids giving up the escape but gets called for stalling for holding onto a leg for more than 5 seconds. With about 20 seconds left in the period, McCrone gets an escape and the score is 3-1 to end the first period. 

McCrone goes down to start the second period and earns a quick escape to make the score 3-2 with 2 minutes of riding time for Ventresca. Ventresca gets in on another low-leg attack but the position is stale-mated for now score. Ventresca hits a nice slide-by but McCrone rolls through and catches Ventresca on his back! McCrone gets a takedown and full set of back points to make the score 9-3 heading into the final period!

McCrone puts a tough ride on Ventresca to start the third and has him flattened out for a full minute. At 40 seconds left in the first, a stalemate is called giving Ventresca a fresh start but riding time is now at only 28 seconds for Ventresca. Ventresca rushed the start a few times and gets called for his third caution making the score 10-3 now in favor of McCrone. McCrone continues to ride tough and Ventresca is called for another stall - McCrone takes the match by major decision 11-3. One match in and we've already got an upset on our hands!

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 0, Ohio State 4

133: #4 Sam Latona, Virginia Tech vs #16 Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State

A lot of hand fighting to start this match with neither wrestler making much of an attempt at a takedown. With 20 seconds left in the first, Latona gets in on a single leg and is able to finish for the takedown. Latona takes a 3-0 lead into the second.

Bouzakis goes down to start the second and earns a quick escape to make the score 3-1 in favor of Latona. Still not much action on their feet - neither wrestler makes a committed attack for the remainder of the period and it's 3-1 going into the third. 

Latona goes down to start the third and earns an escape in about 15 seconds to widen his lead to 4-1. Bouzakis takes a shot with a little over a minute to go in the match and Latona counters with a low-single of his own and converts for a takedown - 7-1 Latona. Latona cuts Bouzakis looking for a major decision but Bouzakis is able to go behind for a takedown of his own to make the final 7-5 in favor of Latona.

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 3, Ohio State 4

141: Hunter Mason, Virginia Tech vs #5 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State

Jesse Mendez is very active in the hand fight and works his way to an early double early and earns the takedown. Mendez goes 'catch and release' with Mason and earns another takedown at the 2-minute mark to make the score 6-1. Another escape given and another takedown for Mendez - it's 9-2 now just 90 seconds into the match. Mendez is a man on a mission and cuts Mason again for the escape to earn another takedown - 12-3 now. Mendez runs a half over and earns a full set of back points to make the score 16-3 and that's how the period ends in favor of Mendez.

Mason goes down to start the second period and Mendez looks to be working hard for the fall. Mendez is riding tough with a bar and has been close several times running the half over but Mason is able to fight just enough to avoid getting turned. Just at the end of the period, Mendez switches tactics and gets a tilt for 2 points and the 18-3 tech fall. 

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 3, Ohio State 9

149: #4 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech vs #9 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State

Just 25 seconds into the match and Henson hits a smooth slide-by for the takedown. D'Emilio escapes quickly and its 3-1, Henson in the lead. Henson takes a shot and D'Emilio does a nice job countering with a single of his own and finishes for the takedown. Henson gets an escape with a minute to go in the period and it's all tied up at 4-4. Another slide-by for Henson and he gets the takedown with just a few seconds in the first - the crowd is getting loud for the Hokies! 

Henson goes down at the start of the second and earns a quick escape to extend his lead to 8-4. Henson continues to be very active and D'Emilio gets dinged for his second stall call of the match - 9-4 Henson now. Henson gets a go-behind as the period is winding down and a scramble ensues - Henson gets close to the takedown but the refs never award 3, and it's 9-4 going into the third.

D'Emilio goes down to start the third and Henson puts on a tough ride. Henson continues to ride and is able to extend his riding time over a minute. D'Emilio earns an escape with about 30 seconds to go in the match - Henson needs a takedown for a major. Henson takes a few attempts but D'Emilio ends up on Henson's legs as the match ends - no takedown and Henson takes the match 10-5.

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 6, Ohio State 9

157: #6 Bryce Andonian, Virginia Tech vs #15 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State

Get ready for fireworks - Bryce Andonian is on the mat! This is a unique one considering Andonian and Gallagher were high school teammates at St. Edwards High School in Ohio.

Not much going on early in this match, a lot of hand-fighting and feeling out for most of the period. Gallagher gets in deep on a single-leg and is so close to finishing. Andonian is able to flip his hips at just the right time and gets the takedown. Meanwhile, Jimmy Mullen is yelling, "THAT SHOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE!" Magician type of work for Andonian there and he takes a 3-0 lead into the second.

Andonian goes down in the second and earns an escape in about 5 seconds to extend his lead to 4-0. Gallagher gets in on another leg attack but it's stalemated. Paddy Gallagher gets close to another takedown and Andonian counters again for a takedown at the end of the period - 7-0 going into the third.

Gallagher gets an escape in about 20 seconds in the third to go on the board - it's 7-1 now. Andonian takes a double from the outside and almost finishes but Gallagher is able to scramble out as Andonian does a backward summsault. Gallagher gets in on a high crotch with about 20 seconds left and is able to finish for a takedown. Time runs out and Andonian wins - 7-4.

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 9, Ohio State 9

165: #22 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech vs Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State

Similar to 157, this match starts out slow with both men in the middle of the mat hand fighting. Just under a minute remaining in the match and Brady gets in on a nice double leg and finishes for 3. Wilcox earns an escape before the end of the first and it's 3-1 Brady heading into the second.

Wilcox escapes quickly to start the second and we're back on our feet. Back to more hand fighting on our feet but Wilcox gets in deep on a single-leg and has the leg up in the air. Brady leaps toward the edge of the mat and they go out of bounds but Brady is called for a penalty - maybe fleeing the mat? We're tied up at 3 going into the third.

Brady chooses down to start the final period and earns a quick escape to take the 4-3 - riding time is not a factor. Brady looks to be holding the position and attempting to hold on to the 4-3 lead. Wilcox does a great job picking up his motion and gets in on a single leg. Wilcox fights through Brady's whizzer and finish with just 20 seconds left. Brady gets an escape but doesn't have enough time to get any offense going - 6-5 Wilcox is the winner.

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 9, Ohio State 12

174: #3 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech vs #7 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State

Here it is - the marquee matchup of the night! Not a ton of action early - Lewis gets close working from a front head lock but Kharchla is able to stalemate the position. Nice snaps by Lewis and he's able to throw Kharchla by and get the takedown with about 40 seconds left in the first period. Kharchla gets an escape and it's 3-1 in favor of Lewis at the end of the first. 

Lewis goes down in the second and earns an escape in about 5 seconds to extend his lead to 4-1. More snaps and fakes for Mekhi and it's clear he's winning the hand fight. Lewis is so close to getting to the leg on a few of his fakes but Kharchla is able to just escape. Now Kharchla in on a single leg - he shelves the leg and almost finishes two-three times but Mekhi shows incredible defense! Wow - that was Kharchla's opportunity and Mekhi displays amazing defense to hold his 4-1 lead into the third.

Kharchla goes down and earns a quick escape to make it 4-2. The two exchange attacks and both are close to getting to legs but no scores for either man. Kharchla gets in again on a single leg but Mekhi dives through at just the right time to trap the leg and stalemate the position with about 10 seconds to go in the match. Lewis defends for the final seconds and wins 4-2. Great match by both wrestlers - Kharchla will do just fine at 174 this year.

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 12, Ohio State 12

184: #15 Sam Fisher, Virginia Tech vs Ryder Rogotzke, Ohio State

The match starts and Rogotzke digs an underhook right away forcing Fisher out of bounds - Fisher called for stalling. Both men are doing a nice job of handfighting - Rogotzke times a double just at the right time and runs through for the takedown. Rogotzke finishes the period on top and leads 3-0 at the end of the first.

Rogotzke goes down in the second and earns a quick escape to extend his lead to 4-0. Rogotzke again times a double leg and runs through for the takedown - 7-0 now. Rogotzke rides out the rest of the period and takes over a minute of riding time into the third.

Fisher chooses neutral to start the third period and gets a quick takedown but Rogotzke flurries through the position and catches Fisher on his back - Rogotzke ends up in a headlock and pins Fisher! 

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 12, Ohio State 18

197: #17 Andy Smith, Virginia Tech vs Luke Geog, Ohio State

Geog gets in early and finishes his single leg to take the 3-0 lead. Smith earns a quick escape but Geog fires off another single leg and earns another takedown - 6-1 now in favor of Geog. Smith gets another escape and then fires off a nice single leg, finishes quickly and gets the takedown. Geog escapes and the period ends on their feet with Geog leading, 7-5.

Smith goes down in the second and earns the quick escape but Geog gets right in on another single leg and finishes for three - 10-6 now with Geog in the lead. Smith earns an escape and starts to put the pressure on - Smith steadily walks Geog out of bounds and Geog is called for stalling. We go into the third with Geog leading 10-7.

Smith lets Geog up right away in the third - Smith will need 2 takedowns to win the match here. Geog might be fading slightly but is doing a good job of firing off attacks at the right time to avoid getting called for stalling. Now Smith is coming forward with some urgency, he takes Geog out of bounds with just 3 seconds left to get the stall call. It's too little to late though for Smith and Geog's early offense was too much to overcome - Geog wins 11-8 and clinches the dual for the Buckeyes!

Dual Score - Virginia Tech 12, Ohio State 21

285: #20 Hunter Catka, Virginia Tech vs #25 Nick Feldman, Ohio State

Some hard hand fighting to start this match and both big men look a little hesitant to take any committed attacks early. Catka takes the first real shot of the match and gets in deep on a single leg. Catka gets close to finishing but Feldman dives through and is able to grab a leg and turn the position into a scramble. Feldman gets close to the takedown but Catka does a good job of wrestling through the position and it's 0-0 at the end of the first.

Feldman goes down in the second and gets to his feet about 20 seconds into the period but Catka gets a BIG mat return - the crowd loves it! Catka is putting on a hard ride and making it tough for Feldman to even get to his feet. With about 30 seconds left in the period, Feldman gets to his feet again only for another huge mat return for Feldman. Catka is able to ride the entire period and the score remains 0-0 with Catka holding 2 minutes of riding time.

Catka goes down to start the third and earns an escape in just 3 seconds. Catka shoots a single leg but is caught on his belly with Feldman working hard for the takedown. Catka is able to hold on for the stalemate and holds the 1-0 lead with just 30 seconds to go. Time continues to wind down but Feldman is picking up his motion and hand fighting. Feldman continues to fire off attacks and hits a lightning-quick single leg with just 5 seconds left! What a clutch takedown by Feldman and he gets the 3-2 win!

Final Score - Virginia Tech 12, Ohio State 24