UVA Hosts No. 7 Virginia Tech In Smithfield Commonwealth Clash
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling team (4-5, 1-3 ACC) returns to action at home on Friday (Feb. 18) when the Cavaliers host No. 7 Virginia Tech (8-3, 3-1 ACC) in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. The dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gym and admission is free.
COVID-19 POLICIES
Masks are required at all times for all in attendance at Virginia wrestling home duals at Memorial Gym.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
The dual will be available for stream on ACCNX through the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com for those who have the ACC Network as part of their television package. Live stats will also be provided and links to the live stats and stream are at VirginiaSports.com. Fans can also get updates by following the program’s official Twitter account (@UVAWrestling).
VIRGINIA TO HONOR SENIORS PRIOR TO DUAL WITH HOKIES
• Virginia will honor seven seniors prior to the start of the 7 p.m. dual with the Hokies.
• UVA will honor Jay Aiello, Brian Courtney, Alex Cruz, Jon Errico, Scott Kiyono, Quinn Miller and Jarod Verkleeren.
• Senior recognition ceremonies are set to begin around 6:45 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early.
QUICK SHOTS
• Virginia enters the dual coming off a 30-9 win at Duke last week after claiming eight of 10 weight classes.
• The dual with the Hokies is set for six potential matchups of nationally-ranked wrestlers.
• The Cavaliers have seven wrestlers in the latest individual rankings with No. 16 Jay Aiello leading the way.
• Virginia also has seven wrestlers ranked in the latest NCAA Coaches Panel Rankings released on Monday.
• Aiello leads the Hoos in the Coaches Panel Ranking, coming in at No. 17 at 197 pounds.
• The initial RPI was also released on Monday with four Hoos ranked in the RPI, led by Michael Battista at No. 6.
• The four Cavaliers in that NCAA RPI were Patrick McCormick (No. 28 at 125), Jarod Verkleeren (No. 10 at 149), Justin Phillips (No. 29 at 174) and Battista (No. 6 at 184).
• Multiple Cavaliers are closing in on the minimum requirement of 15 matches wrestled to qualify for the RPI.
VIRGINIA PROBABLES
125: Patrick McCormick (11-9)
133: No. 20 Brian Courtney (11-3)
141: Dylan Cedeno (3-4)
149: No. 32 Jarod Verkleeren (16-7)
157: No. 26 Jake Keating (11-4) OR Jon Errico (13-4) OR Denton Spencer (7-3)
165: No. 23 Justin McCoy (12-1)
174: Justin Phillips (11-6)
184: No. 25 Michael Battista (14-3)
197: No. 16 Jay Aiello (9-2)
285: No. 32 Quinn Miller (11-6)
VIRGINIA TECH PROBABLES
125: No. 20 Sam Latona (9-6)
133: No. 5 Korbin Myers (14-1)
141: No. 22 Collin Gerardi (9-6)
149: No. 5 Bryce Andonian (6-1)
157: No. 28 Connor Brady (11-5)
165: Clayton Ulrey (15-11)
174: No. 3 Mekhi Lewis (16-0)
184: No. 14 Hunter Bolen (18-3)
197: No. 30 Dakota Howard (13-6) or Andy Smith
285: No. 14 Nathan Traxler (16-1)
THE SERIES WITH VIRGINIA TECH
• Virginia and Virginia Tech have faced off 84 times with the Hokies leading the series 50-33-1.
• The last two duals have both been decided by four points with Tech winning 20-16 in 2019 and 19-15 in 2021.
• Bonus points were the difference last season as each team won five weight classes in the meeting in Blacksburg.
• The 2020 meeting came down to the last two weight classes and bonus points factored in also as the Hokies won six of 10 weight classes, but the Hoos got a pin from Jack Mueller at 125 pounds.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR ACC CHAMPIONSHIPS AT JPJ
The Cavaliers are hosting the ACC Wrestling Championships on Sunday, March 6, at John Paul Jones Arena and tickets are on sale for the event. Fans can purchase tickets at www.UVATix.com and are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and under. ACC students get in free with a valid student ID. Group tickets are available for $3 for groups of 20 or more.
ON THE COMMONWEALTH CLASH
• The Smithfield Commonwealth Clash encourages a friendly rivalry between Virginia and Virginia Tech across all school-sponsored sports with 21 individual event points on the line.
• The school that accumulates 11 points or more will be crowned the winner of the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash trophy.
• The UVA-VT dual is worth one point in the Clash and the Hokies lead this year’s Clash 5.0-1.5.
• UVA captured the Clash in 2015, 2016 and 2019, while Virginia Tech has won the Clash in 2017 and 2018. The 2020 and 2021 clashes were canceled due to the pandemic.