Virginia Tech Hokies Bracket And Draws Breakdown

Virginia Tech Hokies Bracket And Draws Breakdown

Virginia Tech Hokies walz dance mastriani chishko epperly haught zavatsky

Mar 15, 2017 by Andrew Spey
Virginia Tech Hokies Bracket And Draws Breakdown
125 - #2 Joey Dance
For the two seed, it's not a picturesque draw for Dance.  He'll see the McGhee/Townsell winner right away, then Youtsey afterwards.  If you recall, it was Youtsey who beat Joey two years ago at NCAA's in the round of 12.  After Youtsey he'd have Mueller, who he hasn't had issues with previously.  For his semi it could be any number of guys. With Suriano's late scratch, look for Lizak to be the guy.  I think Joey matches up decently against Lizak. 

If he makes it to the finals, a rematch and the rubber match with Thomas Gilman likely awaits.  The two split two years ago, but haven't faced each other recently.  

Dance has the goods to win this entire tournament.  

149 - #6 Solomon Chishko
It's been another very solid season for VT's Chishko.  He's up a weight and rolling.  His path to the quarter is solid, being favored against both Hammond and Davion Jeffries in round 2.  In the quarter, things will get tougher as he'll face Lavion Mayes, who beat him rather soundly last year. 

Assuming the loss, he'll have someone like Oliver or Laster in the round of 12, then Thomsen the round after.  So there's a great chance Chishko wrestles up to his seed again.

157 - #14 Sal Mastriani

Sal has been a reliable middleweight for the Hokies. Moving up to 157 has worked out well for Mastriani, who is having a solid, if not spectacular senior season.

Sal will have a difficult match in the second round against Missouri's Joey Lavallee, who majored him in a dual back in November.

Mastriani could do some damage in the consolation bracket, however. He could see the no. 10 seed, Russell Parsons, who he beat this year 10-3 at the CKLV. From there he'll likely see the no. 8 or 9 seed, Jake Short or Josh Shields, in the bloodround. A podium placement for Sal is a real possibility.

174 - #4 Zach Epperly

Zach kicks off a murder's row of upper weights for Virginia Tech, who are all seeded no. 5 or better. 174 could play out any number of ways, with a long list of title contenders. 

Epperly, from Blacksburg adjacent Christiansburg, VA, will have to get by fellow funk practitioner, Taylor Lujan, in the second round before he sees Mark Hall in the quarters and potentially no. 1 seed, Zahid Valencia, in the semifinals. 

The semifinal match will be crucial as a win guarantees All-American status while a loss will require two more wins to medal, including one over either Myles Amine or Alex Meyer. Epperly's only loss this year was a 3-1 match against Ryan Preisch, so he can compete with anyone in the bracket. If Zach is wrestling his best, he could wind up on top of the podium.

184 - #5 Zack Zavatsky

It's back-to-back Zack attacks for Virginia Tech. Zavatasky has only two losses on the season against 24 wins. 

184 is stacked, but ZZ Top's path is navigable, at least until the semifinals, where Gabe Dean awaits. Dean teched Zavatsky in five minutes earlier this year. 

It'll be a dog fight in the consolations, where either Sammy Brooks or TJ Dudley will be waiting. It's unlikely we will see Zavatsky in the finals, but any other placement shouldn't come as a shock.

197 - #4 Jared Haught

There is very little room at the top of this weight class. Haught has just two losses to the top two seeds, J'Den Cox and Brett Pfarr, and still only managed a no. 4 seed, mostly thanks to Kollin Moore's Big Ten finals win over Pfarr. 

A rematch with Cox in the semifinals could happen if Haught makes it passed Matt McCutcheon. If Haught makes it there, Cox will be the heavy favorite. In the consolation round, Haught will have to find a way to beat either Moore or Pfarr if he wants to out place above his seed. 

285 - #3 Ty Walz

Like his fellow Hokie upper weights, Walz has only two losses on the year (the top four weights have a combined seven defeats this season). 

Walz avoids Kyle Snyder by being the bottom half of the bracket, but he will still have to beat Connor Medbery if he wants to make it t the finals. Walz also split matches with no. 4, Jacob Kasper, winning the more recent battle in the finals of the ACC tournament. There are plenty of quality heavyweights contending for a spot on the medal stand, but Walz should be aiming to match his seed in his final year of eligibility.