After dropping a decision at 184 lbs. to open the match, Daniel Mitchell of American (8-7) earned the first pin of the day at the 2:25 mark over Virginia Tech's Nick Vetterlein. No. 1 heavywight Ryan Flores followed with a fall against Dan Norwood of Virginia Tech (8-6) at 1:53 to push AU's lead to 12-3. Mitchell picked up his sixth pin of the season while Flores moves to 14-0 on the campaign with his 10th fall.
AU's momentum continued at 125 lbs. as Thomas Williams earned a thrilling 1-0 double overtime victory over the Hokies' Erik Spjut. Williams picked up an escape to begin the first 30-second extra period and then rode Spjut on top for the entire 30-second period to earn the decision.
After a Virginia Tech technical fall at 133 lbs., No. 16 Matt Mariacher posted a key fall at 141 lbs. over No. 20 Zack Neibert. Mariacher took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a Neibert penalty and Neibert began the second on top, riding Mariacher for the majority of the period. But Mariacher was able to turn Neibert over late in the period and pick up the impressive fall as AU opened up a 21-8 advantage through six bouts.
The Eagles dropped a decision at 149 lbs. but No. 3 Ganbayar Sanjaa clinched the match for American with a 13-4 major decision at 157 lbs. over VT's Cameron Hurd. Sanjaa led 7-2 through one period following two takedowns and a near-fall en route to the victory.
Prior to the match, American's seven senior student-athletes -- Corey Borshoff, Glenn Donatelli, Flores, Mariacher, Sanjaa, Tanner Shaffer, and Williams -- were honored in a Senior Day ceremony. The senior class was part of AU's program-record fifth-place finish at last year's NCAA Championships where the Eagles earned three All-Americans and a NWCA-record six Academic All-Americans.
"This was a great day for not only the seniors but our entire program," remarked Head Coach Teague Moore. "Virginia Tech is a really good squad and our guys fought hard to pull this one out. I was proud of the effort all day long and it was a fantastic way for our seniors to go out in Bender Arena."
The Eagles have wrapped up the dual meet portion of the schedule with an 8-7 record and will look forward to the EIWA Championships, which will take place from March 3-4 at Princeton's Jadwin Gym.
Results:
184 – Angelo Malvestuto (VT) dec. Thomas Barreiro (American), 10-3; Virginia Tech leads 3-0
197 – Daniel Mitchell (American) pins Nick Vetterlein (VT), 2:25; American leads 6-3
285 – No. 1 Ryan Flores (American) pins Dan Norwood (VT), 1:53; American leads 12-3
125 – Thomas Williams (American) dec. Erik Spjut (VT); 1-0 (2OT); American leads 15-3
133 – No. 6 Devin Carter (VT) tech. fall Corey Borshoff (American), 19-4 (5:47); American leads 15-8
141 – No. 16 Matt Mariacher (American) pins No. 20 Zach Neibert (VT), 4:47; American leads 21-8
149 – Nick Brascetta (VT) dec. Kevin Tao (American), 8-4; American leads 21-11
157 – No. 3 Ganbayar Sanjaa major dec. (American) Cameron Hurd (VT), 13-4; American leads 25-11
165 – No. 8 Pete Yates (VT) tech. fall Sean McCarty (American), 20-5 (6:51); American leads 25-16
174 – Chris Moon (VT) dec. Phillip Barreiro (American), 11-6; American wins 25-19
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