Cavaliers' Wrestle-Offs Provide Insight For Upcoming Season
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – With the 2021-22 season coming up quickly, the Virginia wrestling team hit the mats for wrestle-offs in the Blue & Orange Match recently and the coaching staff and fans in attendance got their first look at some of the wrestlers in action.
It was a chance for the coaches to see the wrestlers in live action and evaluate in a live scenario to prepare for the upcoming campaign – especially with a look at newcomers and younger wrestlers on the squad.
“(The Blue & Orange Match) was another step in the right direction,” said Virginia head coach Steve Garland. “For the athletes, it was about simulating real competition with a crowd and officials and nerves and the whole bit. It was also about getting information for our staff, so mission accomplished. Our guys got to compete and get better, and our staff got much needed action items in terms of technical areas we need to work on as a team.”
In all, 26 wrestlers saw action in 16 matches on the afternoon and left the coaches feeling good about where the team stands heading into the season opener at American on Saturday, Nov. 6.
“I think our team is in a good place overall heading into the start of our competitive season,” Garland said. “We have some guys that are out, but it’s early and the guys that are healthy look great. I really like where Brian Courtney is at; I love our senior leadership. I think our culture and focus is sound right now. I am looking forward to seeing these guys compete soon.”
BLUE-ORANGE MATCH RESULTS
125:
Josiah Encarnacion dec. Joe Haynes, 3-2
Trey Lane major dec. Josiah Encarnacion, 9-1
Patrick McCormick dec. Trey Lane, 2-1
133:
Patrick Noonan dec. Erik Roggie, 5-4
Brian Courtney tech fall Patrick Noonan, 16-0
141:
Dylan Cedeno tech fall Landen Hacker, 15-0
Nick Coy dec, Evan Buchanan, 4-3
157:
Dominic Isola dec. Nic Sansone, 3-2
Jon Errico major dec. Alex Cruz, 12-2
Denton Spencer dec. Jon Errico, 1-0
165:
Ray Costa dec. Gavin Cagle, 3-2
174:
Justin Phillips dec. Rocco Contino, 4-3
Hudson Stewart dec. Justin Phillips, 2-1 (sv-1)
184:
Hadyn Danals major dec. Vikram Ostrander, 10-0
285:
Mateusz Kudra dec. Jessie Knight, 12-5
Quinn Miller dec. Mateusz Kudra, 9-2