Virginia Tech went from having six dual meets in 10 days in November to zero matches in the next 53, aside from putting selected wrestlers in four different tournaments.

But there was a method behind it all, and Hokies coach Tony Robie believes Tech will begin to reap the benefits. In fact, with wins in the last week and a half over Pitt and Appalachian State, the Hokies already have.

“It was really nice to have that break,” Robie said. “We trained hard through December, and we were able to push our guys and instill some things that we wanted to instill and really, hopefully, set ourselves up for success here in the second semester.

“Once you get in this routine, it's hard to have real good training cycles. You're getting a couple days a week in, but it is nice to be back in the routine. We actually started classes (Tuesday) at Virginia Tech.”

Unless the Hokies opt to charter a flight to Cleveland for the NCAAs, no airports are in sight for the rest of the season.

“We don't do a lot of traveling second semester, which is great as well,” Robie said. “We have a trip to (Virginia) and a trip to N.C. State, and then the ACCs are at Virginia Tech. The NCAAs are in Cleveland, which is about a six-hour drive for us, so everything's close, and I think it will allow our guys to rest and stay focused and be efficient with our time.”

On The Big Stage

Virginia Tech used bonus-point wins to trim ACC rival Pitt 18-15 in Pittsburgh and returned home for a performance in the school’s Center for the Arts against Appalachian State.

The team has competed there once a year for the past decade or more, and Robie said it’s something the Hokie fans appreciate. Plus, they saw a 39-0 shutout.

“It's cool. It's a unique venue. I think it's something where we get some non-typical wrestling fans that will come for the novelty of it. It's kind of become a thing at Virginia Tech, and it sells out,” Robie said, adding that the Center seats about 1,000 people. 

“There are boxes and it's a really nice theater; I mean, it's first class. So, it's something we'll continue to do once a year to create that experience for our fans and our wrestlers and even the opposing team. We always get really good feedback from opposing teams that come in and wrestle there as well.”

Put It In The Scorebook

Tech’s lineup, aside from Tom Crook missing at 141 against App State, is most likely the one Robie will use going forward.

“We're likely going to redshirt all of our (seven) freshmen, except Collin Gaj,” Robie said about the 149-pound starter from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, who is ranked #14.

“We took the whole first semester to try to figure that out, and the Midlands and the Southern Scuffle, to kind of get to where we're at from a lineup standpoint and see how we wanted to proceed in some places,” he added. 

Robie said Gaj (pronounced guy) is “a super-talented true freshman who is going to do great things for us.” 

He also praised #2 Eddie Ventresca (125), #15 Crook (141) and Maryland transfer #13 Ethen Miller (157).

“Eddie Ventresca is having a heck of a year,” Robie said. “Not a lot of people are talking about him, but I think Eddie Ventresca has really, really jumped levels. He was definitely good enough to win last year. And I think he's on a different level, mentally, technically, physically. So we’re excited about Eddie for sure. And Tom Crook’s doing a really good job for us.”

Miller had been slowed by a foot injury but returned to place fifth in the Midlands and record wins vs. Pitt against #16 Dylan Evans as well as #25 Kaden Keiser of App State.

“Ethen's not cutting a lot of weight for 157, but it seems like he has a little more pop, and I think it's been good,” Robie said. “He didn't have his best performance at the Midlands. With his foot injury, that was the first opportunity for him to compete, and I think since moving up to ‘57 he's looked pretty sharp.

“He had a good win against Pitt and now we just have to get him matches and get him in a place where he's physically ready to go for the end of the season. He has a great attitude, he’s a well-liked, hard-working, tough kid. He fits in well with what our program is about.”

A Challenge From The Cardinal

Miller will be one of four Virginia Tech wrestlers among the first five weights on Friday to have top-11 opponents when the #12 Hokies (6-2/1-0) host #16 Stanford (3-5/1-1).

Outstanding matchups down low (with VT listed first) are #2 Ventresca vs. #11 Nico Provo at 125; #16 Dillon Campbell vs. #7 Tyler Knox at 133; #15 Crook vs. #19 Jack Consiglio at 141; #14 Gaj vs. #6 Aden Valencia at 149, and #13 Miller vs. #9 Daniel Cardenas.

“I just think we need to go out and everybody needs to wrestle and perform well and compete hard,” Robie said about his team’s second ACC dual. “We're just trying to get better right now. I think if we wrestle the way we're capable of, and we continue to improve from last weekend's performance, I think we'll feel good about it.”

With #8 N.C. State and Tech at #13, as well as #16 Stanford, #27 Pitt and #30 North Carolina, Robie believes the ACC is showing the most parity that he’s seen.

“There's not as much separation as we've typically had,” he said. “So I think that's a good thing. I think it's going to make it interesting.”