Virginia Falls At No. 8 NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Virginia wrestling team (7-4, 1-2 ACC) fell in dual action on the road Friday night (Feb. 9) as the Cavaliers lost to No. 8 NC State (13-2, 3-0 ACC) by a score of 38-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting at 157 pounds, the Wolfpack took the early lead with a pair of victories before the Cavaliers would put their first nationally-ranked wrestler on the mat.

In a matchup of ranked opponents, Justin McCoy won a low-scoring battle with a 3-0 decision over No. 29 Alex Faison. McCoy picked up the victory through an escape point, a locked hands call against Faison and a point for stalling against Faison.

NC State would then go on to win the remaining seven bouts on the way to the dual victory.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Justin McCoy improved to 15-3 on the season and is 9-2 in dual action – including a 2-1 mark in ACC duals.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE GARLAND
“We are learning and growing. Justin McCoy looked so solid tonight and set the example for the team. Ethan Weatherspoon showed up and wrestled his heart out and was in a position to win that match against a great wrestler. Marlon Yarbrough was in a war and was wrestling great, but he got caught. Again, he will learn from that. Nick Hamilton turned it up third period and was scoring points. Ryan Catka was literally doing back flips. Our issue is we have to tighten up our technique. We’re still making really bad mistakes that are blowing matches open and we can’t have that.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia returns home to host North Carolina for Senior Night next Friday (Feb. 16). The dual is set for an 8:30 p.m. start on ACC Network at Memorial Gym.

No. 8 NC STATE 38, VIRGINIA 3
157: No. 12 Ed Scott major dec. Nick Sanko, 9-1 – NCSU 4, UVA 0
165: No. 13 Derek Fields dec. Nick Hamilton, 11-7 – NCSU 7, UVA 0
174: No. 14 Justin McCoy dec. No. 29 Alex Faison, 3-0 – NCSU 7, UVA 3
184: No. 10 Dylan Fishback dec. Ethan Weatherspoon, 5-1 – NCSU 10, UVA 3
197: No. 3 Trent Hidlay major dec. Krystian Kinsey, 18-4 – NCSU 14, UVA 3
285: No. 15 Owen Trephan major dec. Ryan Catka, 12-4 – NCSU 18, UVA 3
125: Jakob Camacho tech fall Kyle Montaperto, 21-6 (6:07) – NCSU 23, UVA 3
133: No. 5 Kai Orine pinned No. 25 Marlon Yarbrough, 3:48 – NCSU 29, UVA 3
141: No. 4 Ryan Jack major dec. Jack Gioffre, 13-2 – NCSU 33, UVA 3
149: No. 3 Jackson Arrington tech fall Kyren Butler, 15-0 (4:01) – NCSU 38, UVA 3