#4 Ohio State vs #13 Virginia Tech Preview & Predictions
#4 Ohio State vs #13 Virginia Tech Preview & Predictions
A full preview and predictions for the dual between Ohio State and Virginia Tech on November 11.
#4 Ohio State will welcome #13 Virginia Tech to the Covelli Center on Friday, November 11 for an incredible early-season dual. Take a look below at the potential lineups for each team and a full breakdown of every match between the Buckeyes and Hokies.
Potential Matchups:
125: #11 Malik Heinselman, Ohio State vs HM Eddie Ventresca/Cooper Flynn, Virginia Tech
133: #5 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State vs HM Sam Latona, Virginia Tech vs
141: #9 Dylan D’Emilio/Jordan Decatur/Nick Bouzakis, Ohio State vs #16 Tom Crook/Collin Gerardi, Virginia Tech
149: #2 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State vs #19 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech
157: #23 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State vs #4 Bryce Andonian, Virginia Tech
165: #7 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State vs #21 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech
174: #6 Ethan Smith, Ohio State vs #2 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech
184: #4 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State vs #10 Hunter Bolen, Virginia Tech
197: #9 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State vs HM Andy Smith, Virginia Tech
285: #8 Tate Orndorff, Ohio State vs #16 Hunter Catka, Virginia Tech
From the above potential lineups, ALL 20 wrestlers are ranked meaning ranked head-to-head matchups at EVERY WEIGHT. On top of that, this dual will feature 10 past All-Americans and 1 past NCAA champion.
125: #11 Malik Heinselman, Ohio State vs HM Eddie Ventresca/Cooper Flynn
Virginia Tech has a great roster battle between Ventresca and Flynn at 125. Currently, Ventresca is 4-0 against Flynn - most recently winning in the Southeast Open finals in overtime. This gives Ventresca the edge in earning the starting spot, and we'll likely see him take the mat against Heinselman.
Despite Ventresca’s success against Flynn, he’ll still be an underdog against Ohio State’s Heinselman. The Buckeye is a 4-time NCAA qualifier and has proven to be a tier above Ventresca (or Flynn). In the opening weekend of the season, Heinselman won the Michigan State Open notably defeating #11 Joey Prata in the finals, 5-3.
Prediction: Heinselman by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 3, Virginia Tech 0
133: #5 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State vs HM Sam Latona, Virginia Tech
Jesse Mendez brought high expectations with him to Columbus as the #3 overall recruit in the class of 2022. Only one week into the season and Mendez has already lived up to those expectations. At the Michigan State Open last weekend, Mendez came away with first-place honors while defeating the likes of # Haiden Drury and 2X All-American Lucas Byrd.
Sam Latona was an All-American in 2021 and finished in the round of 12 last year at 125. Up at 133, Latona struggled to start the year placing third at the Southeast Open while losing to unranked Pat Phillips. The match against Mendez is an opportunity for some early-season redemption for Latona and a chance to shoot back up in the rankings.
Prediction: Mendez by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 6, Virginia Tech 0
Jesse Mendez's win over Lucas Byrd at the Michigan State Open:
141: #9 Dylan D’Emilio/Jordan Decatur/Nick Bouzakis, Ohio State vs #16 Tom Crook/Collin Gerardi, Virginia Tech
141 features compelling roster battles at both Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Both D’Emilio and Gerardi manned the starting spots last year and qualified for NCAAs.
It'd be a surprise to see anyone but true freshman Tom Crook take the mat for the Hokies - especially after his opening weekend at the Southeast Open. Crook took first and defeated the likes of Matt Kazimir, Lachlan McNeil, and Dylan Cedeno (who beat Collin Gerardi).
For the Buckeyes, the MSU Open created some mirky waters for coach Ryan and company. D'Emilio won his first match before injury defaulting to Cole Mattin (while down 5-2) and forfeiting out of the tournament. Meanwhile, Decatur lost to unranked Pat Nolan (Michigan) but came back to take 3rd while wrestling unattached. If Ohio State wants to keep Decatur in redshirt, there's a chance we could see true freshman Nick Bouzakis take the mat for the Buckeyes.
Prediction: Crook by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 6, Virginia Tech 3
Crook's win over Dylan Cedeno in the finals of the 2022 Southeast Open:
149: #2 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State vs #19 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech
The experienced vet in Sasso against the true freshman Henson - this one could be a lot of fun! Obviously, Sasso is the big favorite as a two-time All-American and NCAA runner-up but this early-season matchup will be a great measuring stick for Henson. The young Hokie won his wrestle-off against Kylan Montgomery by major decision and won the Southeast Open last weekend over a field that included Sam Hillegas and Jarod Verkleeren. Virginia Tech fans have high expectations for Henson and this will a great opportunity for Henson to prove himself to the Hokie faithful.
Prediction: Sasso by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 9, Virginia Tech 3
Hear Sasso talk about his patented cradle:
157: #23 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State vs #4 Bryce Andonian, Virginia Tech
Bryce Andonian is one of the most entertaining and exciting wrestlers in all of college wrestling and is moving up to 157 after earning third-place All-American honors at 149 last season. Andonian will be a considerable favorite against first-year starter Paddy Gallagher. As the #3 recruit out of the class of 2021, Buckeye fans expect a lot from Gallagher and the match against Andonian will be a good measuring stick for how close he is to the country’s best at 157. However, Gallagher lost in the finals of the MSU Open last weekend to Northwestern's Trevor Chumbley. This result shows Gallagher might have some improvements to make before competing with the top-tier 157-pound wrestlers.
Prediction: Andonian by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 9, Virginia Tech 6
Hear Bryce Andonian share about his 2022 season and exciting style of wrestling:
165: #7 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State vs #21 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech
While Kharchla may have lost his wrestle-off to Bryce Hepner, I still expect him to start for the Buckeyes this year. Kharchla put together an outstanding season last year and his performance at the NCAA tournament proved he’s right there with the best at 165 pounds. As a two-time NCAA qualifier at 157 pounds, Connor Brady will challenge Kharchla but will certainly be an underdog in their match on November 11. Brady went 1-2 at NCAAs last season where he lost close matches to Quincy Monday and Dazjon Casto.
Prediction: Kharchla by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 12, Virginia Tech 6
174: #6 Ethan Smith, Ohio State vs #2 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech
Mekhi Lewis lost in the finals of last year’s NCAA tournament by just 15 seconds of riding time to Carter Starocci. Starocci and Lewis are set for a rematch on November 22 at the NWCA All-Star Classic, but Lewis’ match against Smith will be a great test before that big event.
Lewis and Smith met last year during the dual meet between the Buckeyes and Hokies. Lewis came out on top in that bout in a close, and contentious, 6-4 decision. Their upcoming bout should be similar to last year’s match - Mekhi Lewis should be considered the favorite in what should be a close, physical match.
Prediction: Lewis by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 12, Virginia Tech 9
Highlights of Mekhi Lewis' win over Logan Massa in the 2022 NCAA Semis:
184: #4 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State vs #10 Hunter Bolen, Virginia Tech
184 will feature a battle of past All-Americans between Bolen and Romero. Bolen placed 7th in 2021 while Romero took 6th last year. These two have never met in their college careers but this is one of the truest “toss-up” matches in the dual. Because Romero closed out his season last year a little stronger, he should be considered the favorite. However, Bolen is a dangerous wrestler with past notable wins in his college career over Trent Hidlay (three times), Clay Lautt, Louie Deprez, and a host of other All-Americans.
Prediction: Romero by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 15, Virginia Tech 9
197: #9 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State vs HM Andy Smith, Virginia Tech
After a slow start, Gavin Hoffman closed out his 2022 year by finishing strong with a 6th-place finish at the NCAA tournament. Most recently, Hoffman made the finals of the MSU Open but where he was pinned by Illinois Zac Braunagel. Was Hoffman's NCAA performance a fluke or was the match against Braunagel a case of some early-season rust?
The matchup against Andy Smith might help answer some questions about Hoffman but will also showcase where the young Hokie stands in the 197-pound landscape. Smith took out fellow Hokie Dakota Howard in their wrestle-off while Hoffman beat Howard by a close, 3-2 decision last year. This is a key matchup for both wrestlers and is especially important to the outcome of this dual meet.
Prediction: Hoffman by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 18, Virginia Tech 9
Hoffman's win over Jake Woodley in the 2022 NCAA Quarterfinals:
285: #8 Tate Orndorff, Ohio State vs #16 Hunter Catka, Virginia Tech
After placing 8th at the 2021 NCAA tournament and finishing 1 match shy of All-American honors in 2022, Orndorff has established himself as one of the top 10 heavyweights in the country.
For Virginia Tech’s Hunter Catka, the top 10 is exactly where he’s trying to get to this season. Catka was a national qualifier as a true freshman in 2021 but redshirted last season while Nathan Traxler manned the 285 spot. Catka had a solid summer finishing second at the U20 world team trials but lost to Ohio State’s Nick Feldman in the finals in 2 straight matches. That makes Catka a significant underdog in this match against the veteran Orndorff.
Prediction: Orndorff by decision
Team score prediction: Ohio State 21, Virginia Tech 9
Ohio State is a big favorite to win this dual but there is a path to victory for the Hokies. Virginia Tech should win 157 and 174 but will need to "flip" 3 of my predictions from the above picks. It might be a tall task, however crazy things happen frequently in the early season and we could see upsets throughout the dual. Regardless of what happens, this will be a dual to watch from start to finish!