Virginia Tech NCAA performance and next year's team

[Tricky Dicky]

The Hokies are coming off of a fairly strong performance at NCAAs with a 9th place finish and 5 All Americans.  There were some really bright spots and some disappointments as well. They return 4 or 5 All Americans, so next year should be another solid one.

125 - Ventresca - Really bright spot.  Finished 7th as the 27 seed and beat some really good guys to get it done.  Almost made it to the semis.  I'm excited to see what he can do next year.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper Flynn hit the portal.

133 - Latona - Bright spot.  He gave Vito his toughest test of the tournament and revenged his loss from ACCs against Orine.  Wish he could have gotten into the 5/6 match but still a good performance.  He should be right up there contending next year.

141 - Crook.  About what I expected from the true freshman with 1 win on the backside.  He could make a big jump next year.

149 - Henson - Really bright spot. True freshman with a 5th place finish.  I was worried when he got upset and saw that he had Thomas in the blood round.  But he handled that match and the next one vs Mauller as well.  Sky is the limit for him.  They have Mac Church coming around this weight as well so it will be interesting to see how 141/149 shake out in the next few years with red shirts.  Either Henson or Church probably goes 157 after Andonian graduates.

157 - Andonian - Bright spot.  Man I wish he would have gotten that pin in the semis.  I could see he was in trouble during the review at the end of the 1st, shaking out his arms and legs.  I think he had an adrenaline dump in that first period.  He was limited this year with injuries but he usually doesn't have tank issues.  I was disappointed with his first loss ever to Scott but glad he bounced back against Lewan.  He should be right up there again next year.

165 - Brady - About what I expected with 1 win on the backside.  Seems he is destined to be a solid starter but probably never an AA at this point.  Hope he proves me wrong.

174 - Lewis - He's been hampered by injuries but I'm glad he was able to tough out that 4th place finish.  Rideouts have been his achilles heel.  He has another year if he chooses to use it but I don't know if he will or not.  I hope he can get healthy and come back for another try.  With Labs gone and Starocci maybe taking an olympic redshirt, I think he would be the favorite.  If he chooses to move on I'm not sure who fills this spot.  Maybe Shane Griffith would want to come wrestle for the Hokies at 174 (one can dream).  

184 - Bolen - I was really disappointed for him that he didn't get another AA.  He could just never seem to get back to his 2020 level where he was beating Hidlay and was ranked number 1 at the end of the season.  Even so, he had a solid career and was a great Hokie.  I'm hoping TJ Stewart drops from 197 to fill this spot next year. I think he's going to be really good.

197 - Smith - Disappointing 0-2 finish.  He shows flashes of greatness and then not so great flashes.  He should be a solid starter but maybe not an AA next year.  Or do we see true freshman Sasso take over this spot?  

285 - Catka - Disappointing 0-2 finish.  He seems like he has so much potential but can't seem to put it together.  2 x NJ champ, Jimmy Mullen is coming in but the last I hear he was planning to play football as well. Not sure how that will work out.

 

This year was filled with ups and down like they always are. The NC state dual win and finishing ahead of them at nationals was great.  Getting stomped by Pitt and having a poor showing at ACCs was not so great.  I'm excited for the future of the program.  The mid and light weights seem to be really stepping up, but the upper part of the lineup (with the exception of Lewis) is falling a little short of expectations.  As much as I like Jared Haught, maybe it's time for some new coaching blood there.