Courtesy UVA Media Relations
The Virginia wrestling team turned in a solid first day of competition at the Southern Scuffle on Saturday, with eight wrestlers moving on to day two of the event in the hunt for a podium finish. Wrestling will continue at 9 a.m. on Sunday at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.
NOTING THE HOOS
- Virginia had four wrestlers advance to the quarterfinals of the event with Keyveon Roller (125), Colton Washleski (157), Nick Sanko (165) and Dylan Newsome (184) representing the Hoos in that round.
- Overall, the Cavaliers posted 11 bonus-point victories on the afternoon with two pins, four tech falls and five major decisions. Both Gable Porter and Brenan Morgan recorded pins for the Cavaliers.
- Both Nick Sanko (165) and Dylan Newsome (184) had opportunities in the quarterfinals to knock off the top seed in their brackets, each within striking distance or holding a lead late in the bout. But the top seed prevailed in both cases to send the two Cavaliers to the consolation bracket.
FROM HEAD COACH STEVE GARLAND
“We had some guys wrestle really well and make the quarters. Keyveon Roller, Colton Washleski, Nick Sanko and Dylan Newsome really started day well. But, that quarterfinal round was rough. Keyveon had to be pulled for concussion protocol and the other guys weren’t able to punch through. But, they will have their shot tomorrow morning first thing. If they win, they place. On the opposite end, we had some guys start today in not so great shape, but then do extremely well coming back through. They are still alive and going for the placing round tomorrow. Guys like Griffin Gammell, Wynton Denkins, Kyren Butler and Michael Murphy have been battling back, and Gable Porter had a big pin last round. They ended the day well…