Wrestling Resumes Season Saturday at Southern Scuffle

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. After 27 days off, the Virginia wrestling team opens the second half of its season Saturday and Sunday, competing in UNC Greensboro’s Southern Scuffle at Greensboro Coliseum’s Special Events Center.

The prestigious event boasts seven nationally-ranked teams among the 28-team field: reigning national champion and fourth-ranked Minnesota, No. 14 Edinboro, No. 15 Hofstra, No. 17 Cornell, No. 21 Navy, No. 22 Maryland and No. 24 Old Dominion.

The pre-seeds were announced Thursday, with four Cavaliers among the seeded. Rocco Caponi (Jr., Uniontown, Ohio) was seeded second at 184 pounds, Eric Albright (Jr., York, Pa.) was the No. 3 seed at 133, Brent Jones (So., Burke, Va.) was the No. 5 seed at 197 and Michael Chaires (Fr., Scotia, N.Y.) took the No. 7 seed at 165.

Caponi, ranked seventh nationally in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA rankings, stands 17-0 this season. Albright is ranked 11th nationally and boasts a 10-1 record thus far.

Virginia finished 17th at the Southern Scuffle last season. Albright (fourth), Caponi (fifth) and Jones (seventh) all placed for the Cavaliers.

Live video coverage is available on a pay-per-view basis on Spartan All-Access at southernscuffle.com. Feature matches will be scheduled on a specific match for video coverage. Live results also will be available at southernscuffle.com.

The Cavaliers last competed Dec. 2 at the Nittany Lion Open. Albright and Caponi each won championships to highlight the day. Each won six-consecutive matches to secure their titles. The Cavaliers finished impressively with placewinners at eight of the 10 weight classes.

Virginia opens the new year by playing host to the Virginia Intercollegiates Jan. 5. The event will mark the first-ever college wrestling competition at John Paul Jones Arena.