Wrestling: Hoos dominate Duke on Senior Night, 45-3

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia wrestling team put together a complete performance on Friday, as the Cavaliers defeated Duke by a score of 45-3 in dual competition at Mem Gym.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cavaliers (8-5, 1-3 ACC) started strong and never looked back, winning nine of 10 weight classes on the night. Duke’s only individual victory would come at heavyweight to close the dual.

Virginia got a decision from Patrick McCormick at 125 pounds to open the match and then picked up seven bonus-point victories after that opening win from McCormick. The Cavaliers got tech falls from Marlon Yarbrough (133) and Jarod Verkleeren (149) sandwiched around a major decision from Dylan Cedeno (141).

The Cavaliers also got three pins with consecutive falls from Jake Keating (157) and Justin McCoy (165) before Michael Battista would notch the third pin at 197 pounds. Vic Marcelli also added six points to the dual score as Duke forfeited at 174 pounds, while Neil Antrassian added a major decision at 184 pounds.

NOTES ON THE DUAL

• With the win, the Cavaliers now lead the all-time series with Duke 64-7-2 through 73 meetings.
• The 45 points scored by the Cavaliers is the most ever in the series against the Blue Devils.
• The previous high was 44 points by UVA in a 44-0 victory on the road for Virginia (1/16/84).
• The 45 points is the most in a dual this season for Virginia, passing the 44 points scored at Queens (12/2/22).
• Virginia recognized 14 seniors prior to the start of the dual as the Cavaliers celebrated senior night.

FROM HEAD COACH STEVE GARLAND

“We needed that tonight. I’m really happy for the guys. They really wrestled well. I’m particularly happy for our seniors who enjoyed their last match here at home in their careers. It was so cool seeing Jake Keating and Michael Battista get pins and Jarod Verkleeren and Neil Antrassian looked awesome as well. It was a great night.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS

Virginia will close out the dual schedule next weekend when the Cavaliers travel to take on Virginia Tech in the Smithfield Brands Commonwealth Clash. The dual is set for a 7 p.m. start in Blacksburg.

VIRGINIA 45, DUKE 3
125: Patrick McCormick dec. Ethan Grimminger (Duke), 8-2 – UVA 3, Duke 0
133: Marlon Yarbrough tech fall Drake Doolittle (Duke), 21-5 (6:59) – UVA 8, Duke 0
141: Dylan Cedeno major dec. Christian Colman (Duke), 11-3 – UVA 12, Duke 0
149: No. 26 Jarod Verkleeren tech fall Patrick Rowland (Duke), 17-2 (5:36) – UVA 17, Duke 0
157: Jake Keating pinned Logan Ferrero (Duke), 3:50 – UVA 23, Duke 0
165: No. 17 Justin McCoy pinned Gabe Dinette (Duke), 3:32 – UVA 29, Duke 0
174: Vic Marcelli wins by forfeit – UVA 35, Duke 0
184: No. 16 Neil Antrassian major dec. Luke Chakonis (Duke) , 11-2 – UVA 39, Duke 0
197: No. 25 Michael Battista pinned Brayden Ray (Duke), 4:15 – UVA 45, Duke 0
HWT: No. 22 Jonah Nisenbaum (Duke) dec. Ethan Weatherspoon, 7-1 – UVA 45, Duke 3