Previewing the ACC at the Southern Scuffle

It’s never officially the New Year until the Southern Scuffle in college wrestling. The brackets are out and we’ll take a look at who is in (and out) for the ACC. Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech all have partial lineups in the field made up of starters and backups. There are a couple guys making their season debuts, a few returning from injuries in the opening half of the season, and several weights where teams are still trying to decide who is going to get the starting nod for ACC duals starting next week. Here are a few things to keep an eye on this weekend in Chattanooga. 

125

#21 Spencer Moore UNC

#28 Keyveon Roller UVA

Ethan Grimminger Duke

Cam Stinson UNC

Riley Rowan Duke

This will be a great opportunity for both Spencer Moore and Keyveon Roller to get some momentum going into conference duals. Moore is 7-3 on the year with two losses to top-20 wrestlers and Roller is off to a great start after dropping to 125, opening the year with a 4-1 record. Stinson is a huge recruit for the Tar Heels--a four-time NC State Champion who amassed a perfect 205-0 record, he is definitely one to keep your eyes on for the future. 

133

Kyle Montaperto UVA

Derek Guanajuato UNC

Raymond Adams Duke

Durbin Carpenter VT

#13 Ethan Oakley UNC

Gable Porter UVA

Spencer VonSavoye Duke 

Ethan Oakley enters as the lone ranked ACC wrestler at this weight and has a great path in his bracket; he sets up for a likely quarterfinal matchup with the winner of Gable Porter and Ethan Berginc (Army). Porter has gotten the majority of the starts for the Hoos this year, but Kyle Montaperto is mounting a challenge for the weight after a strong showing at the Sheridan Invitational; Porter was injured at that tournament and is looking to add another ranked win to his 4-2 start. 

141

Jayden Scott UNC

#27 Kyren Butler UVA

Luke Simcox UNC

Dylan Cedeno UVA

This is a big weight for Virginia. Kyren Butler has impressed so far this year and is coming off a title at the Sheridan Invite, but he is still looking for a signature win. This bracket will give him that opportunity, with multiple ranked wrestlers. Dylan Cedeno is making his season debut for the Hoos and is a previous NCAA qualifier. He is dropping from 157 where he had a strong, though injury-shortened season last year. Virginia has two strong options at this weight and this weekend could go a long way in determining the starter for conference duals. 

149

Cullen Kane UNC

Sean O’Donnell Duke

This is the fewest entries at any weight for the ACC. Kane is making his season debut and O’Donnell is off to a 6-6 start, looking to gain momentum moving into ACC competition. 

157

Logan Fite Duke

Gavin Cagle UVA

Michael Gioffre UVA

Matt Henrich VT

Nick Sanko UVA

Nick Tattini Duke

Frank Dibella VT

Luke Ferrero Duke

This is a weight where we see several guys trying to make their case to be in the starting lineup. Michael Gioffre is the 5-seed and is in search of a ranked win to bolster a strong 4-1 start to his year. Duke has seen Ferrero as the starter for the majority of the season; Fite and Tattini are looking to make the statement that they should get that spot. 

165

Connor Brady VT

Jackson Spires VT

Nick Fea UNC

Mason Stefanelli UVA

Aiden Wallace Duke

Omaury Alvarez UNC

Kylan Montgomery VT

Another interesting weight here, in my opinion. Connor Brady was expected to be the starter for the Hokies and entered the season ranked. However, he has been out with an injury and Mac Church has made the most of his time at the spot, working up to a #25 ranking and a 10-6 record. Brady is a four-time NCAA qualifier and wants another crack at earning All-American status. Aiden Wallace is quietly off to a great start for the Blue Devils. He enters with a 15-4 record and is looking to make some noise. Nick Fea has been the starter for the Tar Heels, Omaury Alvarez is trying to make his case for an opportunity in the starting lineup. 

174

#4 Lennox Wolak VT

Sabino Portella UNC

Rocco Contino UVA

Marcus Murabito UNC

Gaetano Console Duke

Michael Murphy UVA

Isaias Estrada UNC

Gage Wright VT

Nolan O’Boyle UNC

Ty Finn VT

Wolak has had one of the tougher early-season schedules in the country. He is 3-2 to start his time in Blacksburg; all three wins by pin, including against #22 Jackson Turley and #23 Clayton Whiting. His losses are to #1 Keegan O’Toole and #3 Dean Hamiti. His dual schedule doesn’t get much easier with the ACC having the #5, #18, #19 and #20 ranked wrestlers. I’ve been impressed by Rocco Contino this year, he is wide open and a lot of fun to watch. He will have an opportunity to win some big matches this weekend. 

184 

#16 Gavin Kane UNC

Griffin Gammel UVA

Sam Fisher VT

David Hussey Duke

#25 TJ Stewart VT

Justin Phillips UVA

Aiden Schlett UNC

Hadyn Danals UVA

Gavin Kane earned All-American status in 2023 and is a three-time NCAA qualifier. He is off to a great start so far this year with a big win over #11 Edmond Ruth and a close loss to #5 Silas Allred. He is looking to return to the podium in Philly and will have to navigate a tough bracket from the 1-seed. The other big story here, of course, is TJ Stewart. Stewart is coming off an All-American finish as a freshman, but has had the worst possible start to his season. He enters at 0-4 and just hasn’t looked himself all year. We know he is returning from a knee injury and this could be a great opportunity to show the country that he is back. Haydn Danals is also returning from an early season injury and will be back on the mat for the first time since their opening dual against NDSU. 

197

Cade Lautt UNC

Max Shulaw UVA

Sonny Sasso VT

Ethan Weatherspoon UVA

Max Shulaw has shown a ton of potential as a true freshman, he has made several starts for the Hoos but will be competing unattached as they decide whether they want to keep him in redshirt. Sonny Sasso will be back on the mat for the Hokies after an injury slowed a fast start; he is 5-0 on the season with 5 pins. He is looking for some statement wins as he tries to pry the starting spot from #8 Andy Smith--this is one of a couple weights where the Hokies have two dangerous options for the starting lineup. 

285

Parker Ferrell VT

Gabe Christensen UVA

Nolan Neves UNC

Hunter Catka VT

#29 Conner Barket Duke

Barket is the latest in the line of talented upper-weights for the Blue Devils under the tutelage of Tom Erikson. He is off to a solid 15-2 start and is looking for some signature wins to pad his resume. Gabe Christensen has looked great for the Hoos in his first year being healthy; he is 4-0 to start the year and will have an opportunity for some big matches in this bracket. Just like 197, the Hokies have two stellar options at 285. #15 Jimmy Mullen has gotten the bulk of the starts, but Hunter Catka will be looking to make his case for the spot. Catka is a three-time NCAA qualifier and lost in the blood round last year; he is 5-2 to start this season and won the Keystone Classic.