LEXINGTON, Va. – The Virginia wrestling squad (4-1) showcased an excellent performance on Saturday (Dec. 7), achieving victory in nine weight classes, culminating in a commanding 40-3 triumph over VMI (4-2) at Cormack Hall. HOW IT UNFOLDEDThe dual began at 165 with the Cavaliers fielding 15th-ranked Nick Hamilton. Hamilton secured a 12-5 decision against Ryan […]
LEXINGTON, Va. – The Virginia wrestling squad (4-1) showcased an excellent performance on Saturday (Dec. 7), achieving victory in nine weight classes, culminating in a commanding 40-3 triumph over VMI (4-2) at Cormack Hall.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
The dual began at 165 with the Cavaliers fielding 15th-ranked Nick Hamilton. Hamilton secured a 12-5 decision against Ryan Vigil, followed by Rocco Contino earning the first of two Virginia pins at 174 pounds. Contino pinned Logan Chambers in the opening period, establishing a 9-0 lead for the Hoos.
VMI countered with a close 9-8 decision courtesy of No. 33 Braxton Lewis at 184 pounds, marking the only weight class that the Keydets would secure.
Virginia accrued bonus points across the next three weight classes. Max Shuaw (197) led 14-7 before his opponent defaulted due to injury. Gabe Christenson (285) and Keyveon Roller (125) each claimed wins by major decision, pushing the Cavaliers ahead 23-3.
The Hoos received a decision from Gable Porter (133) before Kyren Butler (141) added another tech fall. Jack Gioffre (149) followed with a decision victory, and his brother, Michael, wrapped up the dual with a pin in the first minute of action at 157 pounds.
NOTABLES FROM THE DUAL
- With this victory, Virginia enhanced its all-time series record against VMI to 32-24.
- Rocco Contino (174) and Michael Gioffre (149) each achieved their first pins of the current season.
- Six of the Cavalier’s wins on Saturday were bonus-point victories, significantly contributing to the team’s overall success.
FROM HEAD COACH STEVE GARLAND
“This weekend has been excellent for our athletes, and we had some significant individual performances today. Our wrestlers scored multiple points in quick succession and were actively seeking pins, which is fantastic. We’ll return to competition tomorrow, with some athletes participating in a tournament at George Mason, and we aim to replicate the success we’ve had over the past two days (in dual meets against Penn and VMI). We expect them to represent our program in the same manner.”
UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia will have members of the team competing at the A Better Way Patriot Open hosted by George Mason on Sunday (Dec. 8).
VIRGINIA 40, VMI 3
165: No. 15 Nick Hamilton dec. Ryan Vigil (VMI), 12-5 – UVA 3, VMI 0
174: Rocco Contino pinned Logan Chambers (VMI), 2:43 – UVA 9, VMI 0
184: No. 33 Braxton Lewis (VMI) dec. Griffin Gammell, 9-8 – UVA 9, VMI 3
197: Max Shulaw over Toby Schoffstrall (VMI) by injury default, 4:03 – UVA 15, VMI 3
HWT: Gabe Christenson major dec. Josh Evans (VMI), 11-3 – UVA 19, VMI 3
125: No. 28 Keyveon Roller major dec. Waylon Rogers (VMI), 13-3 – UVA 23, VMI 3
133: No. 32 Gable Porter dec. Dyson Dunham (VMI), 4-1 – UVA 26, VMI 3
141: Kyren Butler tech fall Phoenix Alyea (VMI), 22-6 (6:42) – UVA 31, VMI 3
149: Jack Gioffre dec. Patrick Jordon (VMI), 9-3 – UVA 34, VMI 3
157: Michael Gioffre pinned Eric Doran (VMI), 0:46 – UVA 40, VMI 3
