BOONE, N.C. — App State Wrestling enters a busy two-day stretch of duals, as the Mountaineers host VMI in a SoCon matchup Thursday at 6 p.m. in Varsity Gym before traveling to Virginia Tech on Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup against the seventh-ranked Hokies.
VMI PREVIEW
App State (4-4, 1-0 SoCon) opened its league schedule last week with a 46-4 victory at Presbyterian, and the Mountaineers will host VMI in their first Varsity Gym appearance since Nov. 30. This will be the first SoCon dual of the 2025-26 season for VMI (4-3).
The App State-VMI dual is sandwiched between a pair of high school duals: Watauga (located in Boone) and Alexander Central (from Taylorsville) will start the day with a 4:30 p.m. matchup in Varsity Gym, and Watauga is scheduled to face Science Hill from Johnson City, Tenn., at 7:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. — Watauga HS vs. Alexander Central HS
6 p.m. — App State vs. VMI
7:30 p.m. — Watauga HS vs. Science Hill HS
It's Youth Wrestlers Night in Varsity Gym, with youth wrestlers being recognized on the mat after the App State-VMI dual, which is also part of Junior Mountaineer Kids Club Day. JMKC members will be allowed to bring one friend to the match for free — parents/guardians will still pay full price.
For fans attending Thursday, tickets in advance of match day
are available online at $10 for general admission, with a $5 order charge. Tickets purchased on match day are $15 at the door.
Home duals are
streamed live on FloWrestling, which has a subscription model.
The Rivers Street Deck across from Varsity Gym is the most popular parking option for wrestling events, with fans entering the corner of the gym adjacent to the loading dock area off Rivers Street. Please note that App State also has a men's basketball game at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Fans should be aware that Varsity Gym has 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".
VMI's 4-3 record includes Division I victories against Mercyhurst (42-6), Duke (28-10) and Sacred Heart (22-13). The Keydets won at the lowest four weights and three heaviest weights vs. Duke.
VMI's most experienced starters are Patrick Jordon (9-9 overall, 5-2 in duals at 149), Toby Schoffstall (5-9 overall, 3-2 in duals at 197), Dyson Dunham (4-5 overall, 0-1 in duals at 141), Ryan Vigil (6-7 overall, 2-2 in duals at 165) and Ray Cmil (4-11, 2-4 in duals at 157). Beau Lewis, a freshman at 174, is 9-9 overall.
App State's Probable Lineup
125:
Cooper Foster
133:
Jarvis Little
141:
Aldo Hernandez or
Joe Fongaro
149: #26
Kaden Keiser
157:
Jeremiah Price or
Kai O'Dell
165:
Anthony Conetta
174:
Colt Campbell
184: #23
Tomas Brooker
197:
Logan Eller
Hwt:
Stephan Monchery
VMI's Probable Lineup
125: Waylon Rogers
133: Cody Tanner or Adam Bilby
141: Dyson Dunham
149: Patrick Jordon
157: Ray Cmil or Eric Doran
165: Ryan Vigil or Tyler Berish
174: Beau Lewis
184: Andrew Barford
197: Toby Schoffstall or Christian Leonard
Hwt: Cole Will
The 2025-26 season is presented by Hungry Howie's and Penn Station.
VIRGINIA TECH PREVIEW
The dual against No. 7 Virginia Tech on Friday night starts at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ACCNX.
The Hokies have had ranked wrestlers in all 10 weight classes this season, and six of their probable starters Friday are currently in the top 20 of their weight classes. That's not counting 2024 national champion Caleb Henson, who is redshirting this season.
Virginia Tech's Probable Lineup
125: #4 Eddie Ventresca
133: #11 Dillon Campbell
141: Drew Gorman
149: #10 Collin Gaj
157: #16 Ethen Miller
165: Mac Church
174: Sergio Desiante
184: Jaden Bullock
197: #17 Sonny Sasso
Hwt: #16 Jimmy Mullen
