BOONE, N.C. — Another ranked ACC opponent is on App State Wrestling's schedule, and this one is coming to Varsity Gym, with the Mountaineers' standing as a top-25 program contributing to a must-watch showdown Friday night.
Ranked No. 22 in the NWCA Coaches Poll — and 20th by Intermat — App State (4-1) welcomes No. 9 Virginia Tech (5-2) to Boone for a 7 p.m. dual. This is the second time Varsity Gym has hosted a matchup between two teams ranked in the NWCA Coaches Poll, as No. 23 App State beat No. 25 North Carolina in 2016.
Tickets can be purchased by
clicking HERE, with a cost of $20 for adults and $7 for youth. App State home duals are streamed live by Yosef Media, with access available by subscribing to
The Grind's Rokfin channel with a pay-per-view rate of $10 per App State dual. A capacity crowd is expected, so purchasing tickets in advance is the best way to guarantee entry.
The Rivers Street Deck across from Varsity Gym is the most popular option for wrestling events, with fans entering the corner of the gym adjacent to the loading dock area off Rivers Street.
Fans attending wrestling events this season should be aware that Varsity Gym will have a clear bag policy for visitors. According to App State's clear bag policies:
- Approved bags include clear plastic bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
- Bags that are not approved include diaper bags, backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, tinted or printed pattern plastic bags, fanny packs, oversized tote bags & mesh bags, and purses exceeding 4.5" x 6.5".
App State's 4-1 start under coach
JohnMark Bentley has included two road matchups against ranked ACC teams, as the Mountaineers took four of 10 matches in a 26-12 loss at No. 5 NC State and won 19-16 against then-No. 21 North Carolina.
With its roster featuring a top-25 wrestler in all 10 weight classes, including nine top-25 wrestlers who are likely to be in the lineup Friday night, Virginia Tech poses a different-looking challenge because of its high-level consistency across the board.
The Hokies' 5-2 record includes an 18-15 loss to No. 7 Ohio State, a 17-15 win against No. 10 Missouri and a 22-12 loss to No. 6 Cornell.
There could be ranked showdowns at 125, 133, 149, 165 and 174 pounds, with two-time All-American
Jon Jon Millner (ranked No. 7 by FloWresting and No. 8 by Intermat) likely facing 11th-ranked freshman Caleb Henson from Virginia Tech. Henson made an early splash with his 5-3 overtime victory on Nov. 11 against Ohio State's Sammy Sasso, the 2021 national runner-up and 2022 fifth-place finisher at 149 pounds.
Virginia Tech's Bryce Andonian, who placed third nationally at 149 pounds last season, has moved up to 157 this year and is ranked No. 6 in his weight class. He hasn't appeared in a match this season and isn't listed as a probable starter by the Hokies, although likely starter Clayton Ulrey is 15-8 this season.
The other ranked matchups could occur at 125 (No. 21
Caleb Smith vs. No. 20 Eddie Ventresca), at 133 (No. 24
Sean Carter vs. No. 6 Sam Latona), at 165 (No. 26
Will Formato vs. No. 20 Connor Brady) and at 174 (No. 32
Will Miller vs. No. 3 Mekhi Lewis). A 2019 national champion at 165 pounds and 2022 national runner-up at 174, Lewis is expected to wrestle for the first time since Dec. 18.
The 2022-23 season is presented by Hungry Howies and Penn Station.
App State probables
125 | No. 21
Caleb Smith
133 | No. 24
Sean Carter
141 |
Heath Gonyer
149 | No. 8
Jon Jon Millner
157 | No. 31
Tommy Askey
165 | No. 26
Will Formato
174 | No. 32
Will Miller
184 |
Luke Uliano
197 |
Carson Floyd
Hwt |
Mason Fiscella
Virginia Tech probables
125 | No. 20 Eddie Ventresca
133 | No. 6 Sam Latona
141 | No. 15 Tom Crook or Collin Gerardi
149 | No. 11 Caleb Henson
157 | Clayton Ulrey
165 | No. 20 Connor Brady
174 | No. 3 Mekhi Lewis
184 | No. 7 Hunter Bolen
197 | No. 23 Andy Smith
Hwt | No. 23 Hunter Catka
