Two top 10 teams will be in historic Gallagher-Iba Arena as the #6 Hokies try to slow down the red hot #3 Cowboys in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

Both teams are undefeated as Oklahoma State is currently 5-0 while Virginia Tech is 3-0. The two programs also wrestled at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational earlier this month. The Cowboys ran away with the team trophy in Vegas, placing first by a margin of 77 points, while Virginia Tech placed fourth. 

Tonight's matchup is shaping up to be one of the most competitive duals of the first semester. We'll keep you informed with live updates of the contest as they happen in real time!

This is just the second meeting between these two programs in dual-meet history. The Hokies won the only other match held back on January 8, 2011, 18-16. 

Potential Lineups

125: #2 Troy Spratley, OSU vs #4 Eddie Ventresca, VT

133: #18 Reece Witcraft, OSU vs #12 Connor McGonagle, VT

141: #4 Tagen Jamison, OSU vs #12 Sam Latona, VT

149: #15 Carter Young, OSU vs #1 Caleb Henson, VT

157: #14 Caleb Fish, OSU vs #13 Rafael Hipolito, VT

165: #6 Cameron Amine, OSU vs #21 Mac Church, VT

174: #3 Dean Hamiti, OSU vs #4 Lennox Wolak, VT

184: #3 Dustin Plott, OSU vs #20 TJ Stewart, VT

197: #12 Luke Surber, OSU vs #10 Andy Smith, VT

285: #3 Wyatt Hendrickson, OSU vs #15 Jim Mullen, VT

Weigh-ins are complete and it looks like Virginia Tech's Connor McGonagle is still not ready to return to the mat and it will be Dillon Campbell instead. Additionally, Sam Fisher will get the start at 184 and TJ Stewart did not weigh-in. The Hokies also have the option of Sonnny Sasso at 197 and Hunter Catka at heavyweight. 

All 10 ranked Cowboys weighed-in. And we're starting at 125. 

125: #2 Troy Spratley, OSU vs #4 Eddie Ventresca, VT

1st period: These two didn't meet at the CKLV. Matt Ramos of Purdue defeated them both by decision, Spratley in the semifinals and Venteresca in the finals. No scores in the first minute. No scores after the second minute but now Spratley in on a single leg and he converts for 3 without 30 seconds left in the period. Troy gets the rideout to hold on to a 3-0 lead after one period. 

2nd period: Ventresca differs so Sprately takes bottom and he stands and is out in less than 10 seconds. Cowboys are sporting new singlets with their distinctive chevron on the back and 'Cowboys' in script on the front. Hokies in the classic maroon singlets with the 'Hokie Stone' pattern on the back. A flurry to close out the period but no more score so Sprately will take a 4-0 lead into the third period. 

3rd period: Ventresca chooses down. Spratley stops Eddie's first couple of escape attempts and sees his riding time climb up over a minute. A nice mat return that goes out of bounds keeps Ventresca down with just 1:07 on the clock. Ventresca finally gets on the board with an escape with less than a minute of regulation. Ventresca quickly in on a single leg but Sprately hops to the boundary and they go out of bounds Sprately successfully defends. The RT point is locked up soon on the restart. Ventresca desperation shot and Sprately down blocks and spins behind for three more. And now a quick tilt and Spratley will earn two more nearfall just before the buzzer. And it's a 10-1 major for Troy Sprately!

Oklahoma State 4, Virginia Tech 0

That gas tank goes all seven minutes.#GoPokes l @troyspratley125 pic.twitter.com/ngKpvavymc

— OSU Cowboy Wrestling (@CowboyWrestling) December 20, 2024

133: #18 Reece Witcraft, OSU vs Dillon Campbell, VT

1st period: Relatively slow start, with no scores half way through the period. Witcraft placed fourth at CKLV while Campbell did not make the trip to Vegas with the rest of the Hokies. Witcraft keeping the pressure on but still 0-0 at the end of the period. Campbell did pick up a stall warning toward the end of the period. 

2nd period: Dillon takes bottom and Witcraft cuts him and immediately goes on the attack. Witcraft just misses the go-behind but Campbell defends. 1-0 lead for Campbell. Now a shot by Campbell but that is stuffed and Witcraft snaps and spins behind for a quick finish and the lead 3-1. Quick escape makes it 3-2, Witcraft still in the lead. Witcraft with an underhook moves Campbell to the edge. A drag attempt is thwarted right before the buzzer but Witcraft does induce another stall call so he'll pick up another point to make it 4-2. 

3rd period: We're starting in neutral. Snap go-behind works again for Witcraft to make it 7-2. Quick escape but Witcraft back on the attack, make it 10-3 after another go-behind. Witcraft cuts Campbell and hits a nice drag to run the score up to 13-4. And Witcraft will make it back-to-back majors. Tack on the riding time point and it's a 14-4 victory for Reece! 

Oklahoma State 8, Virginia Tech 0

Sparky & the Witzard >#GoPokes pic.twitter.com/sgdKvZOTez

— OSU Cowboy Wrestling (@CowboyWrestling) December 20, 2024

141: #4 Tagen Jamison, OSU vs #12 Sam Latona, VT

1st period: Both these wrestlers were at the CKLV though they didn't wrestle each other. Latona, a two-time All-American in his fifth varsity season placed sixth in Vegas while Jamison, a sophomore, placed second. Two minutes in and no scores. Latona shoots in and Jamison gets banged for stalling. Jamison defends the single leg and gets a stalemate. Still 0-0 with 30 seconds to go. And Jamison shoots and knocks Latona back but he recovers back to neutral. There's the buzzer, still 0-0, though Jamison has the stall warning. 

2nd period: Jamison takes bottom. And he escapes easily in about 10 seconds. Still 1-0 with about 30 seconds left. And there's a nice attack from Jamison, he's in deep and he gets a big lift for a physical finish and a 4-0 lead in short time. Jamison does get the ride out. 

3rd period: Latona takes neutral to start the final period of regulation. Latona in on a nice shot but Jamison throws in a whizzer and muscles up. Latona tries to throw in a leg using his long frame but Jamison funk rolls him and emerges on top after a short scramble. That makes it 7-0 with less than a minute to go. Down to the final 30 seconds and Jamison still leads 7-0. A rideout will give him an 8-0 major. And he gets it. Three major decisions in a row and a 8-0 shut out for Tagen!

Oklahoma State 12, Virginia Tech 0

149: #15 Carter Young, OSU vs #1 Caleb Henson, VT

1st period: The Hokies will look to halt their losing streak with their national champion junior Caleb Henson, who also recently won a CKLV title. Young did keep his match with Henson to a 6-3 decision in Vegas. A couple of brief flurries but no scores after two minutes of wrestling. Now Henson in on a shot, Young locked through the crotch. Close to neutral danger but still now takedown. Henson adjusts, reached back, and he picks up a pinfall! Young is stunned but the pin was clear. Neutral pin for Henson and the Hokies are on the board!

Oklahoma State 12, Virginia Tech 6

157: #14 Caleb Fish, OSU vs #13 Rafael Hipolito, VT

1st period: Fish comes to Oklahoma State by way of Michigan State as a grad student transfer. Hipolito comes to Virginia Tech by way of Brazil and has a strong jiu-jitsu background. And a shot by Fish turns into points for Hipolito. Escape for Fish makes it 3-1. Cement mixer attempt by Fish becomes a takedown and four nearfall for Hipolito to make it 10-1, although Fish then battles back to get a reversal and it's 10-3. No shortage of points in this period! We'll get a stoppage with 32 seconds on the clock as the refs want to take another look at that scramble to see if they missed anything. And there was a locked hands by Hipolito so that makes it 10-4 and now they have to adjust the riding time clock. Okay back to action. Fish looking for a headlock, both guys not afraid to take big upper body swings. And Fish gets the rideout so still 10-4 after an eventful first period. 

2nd period: Fish takes bottom. He's out in about 5 seconds, lead is down to 5, 10-5 Hipolito. And another flurry, Hipolito locked through the crotch as Fish nearly completed a fireman's carry. Restart and Hipolito is in deep on a double but Fish pulls him up and has a head and arm looking for a cement job. He nearly gets a go-behind, points are awarded but the officials have a conference and wave the takedown off. Another shot by Hipolito, Fish tries to cut the corner but he runs out of time. Still 10-5 at the break. 

3rd period: Hipolito chooses down but then takes too long to walk back to the center and gets hit for stalling. Fish cuts Hipolito, Hipolito shoots, Fish tries to go upper body but it goes poorly for him and Hipolito slams him to his back. Three plus nearfall and just like that its 18-5, now 18-6 with a Fish escape. Hipolito rips a headlock but Fish rolls him through and its three for Fish. 18-9, now 19-9 as Fish goes optional start. 19-12, now 20-12. Late takedown by Fish and it's 20-15 to keep things at a regular decision. Wild match! Hipolito gets the dub!

Oklahoma State 12, Virginia Tech 9

#14 Rafael Hipolito (VT) BOMBED #12 Caleb Fish (OSU) en route to his 20-15 win: pic.twitter.com/42mLn6ijae

— Saturday Night Lights Wrestling (@WrestlingSNL) December 20, 2024

And we'll take a 10 minute break to catch our breath and let the fans in Gallagher-Iba use the restroom and grab refreshments. 

165: #6 Cameron Amine, OSU vs #21 Mac Church, VT

1st period: We're back to action as redshirt freshman Mac Church takes on three-time All-American grad transfer by way of Michigan, Cam Amine. 6,067 in attendance by the way. Uneventful first period and it'll be 0-0 after three minutes of wrestling. 

2nd period: Amine takes bottom and he's out in less than ten seconds to snag the first point of the bout. Lightning quick reshot for Amine and he'll convert for three more and a 4-0 lead. Amine with a smothering ride and Chuch picks up a stall call, his second, as he also got dinged in the first period. Amine leads 5-0 after two periods. 

3rd period: Church takes bottom, this time he escapes fairly quickly and he cracks the scoreboard for the first time. It's 5-1 now with just a minute left of regulation. Church trying to pick up his offense but he's got a deep hole to dig out of. Amine within striking distance of a major so he starts picking up his pace. Another stall warning and Church coughs up another point. Amine in on a shot but Church dive rolls and stops Amine from scoring by just barely holding on to a leg. Riding time point makes it 7-1 and Amine will win by regular decision. 

Oklahoma State 15, Virginia Tech 9

174: #3 Dean Hamiti, OSU vs #4 Lennox Wolak, VT

1st period: Perhaps the marquee match of the night. Two-time All-American Dean Hamiti against another All-American grad transfer from Columbia with Lenox Wolak. Hamiti low single misdirection to get on the board early in the bout. Wolak with an escape and it's 3-1 after 30 seconds of wrestling. Wolak with an upperbody front trip attempt but Hamiti picks the ankle that Wolak was trying to trip him with and powers through a whizzer to collect three more. Hamiti putting on a tough ride now. Still over a minute to go in the period. Wolak escapes but Hamiti has a low single again and he finishes quickly to run the score up to 9-2. Hamiti looking for the ride out. And he'll get it. 9-2 with about 2 minutes of riding time already. 

2nd period: Hamiti chooses bottom after Wolak differs. Hamiti stands, then hits a switch, then a scramble and Hamiti comes out behind Wolak for two. It's 11-2. Wolak warned for stalling right before Hamiti takes Wolak over with a reinforced tilt. Hamiti gets a three count and its 14-2. 14-3 with the escape, and Hamiti is back on Wolak's legs. He's been feasting on low singles all match. 17-3, Hamiti cuts Wolak, can he get the tech before the period ends. He's in on a shot, and right before the buzzer Hamiti lifts and returns Wolak to make it 21-4, much to the delight of the crowd!

Oklahoma State 20, Virginia Tech 9

Straight dominance.#GoPokes l @HamitiDean pic.twitter.com/Rqy6gaeSt9

— OSU Cowboy Wrestling (@CowboyWrestling) December 20, 2024

184: #3 Dustin Plott, OSU vs Sam Fisher, VT

1st period: In for TJ Stewart is Sam Fisher who will have three-time All-American and 2024 NCAA finalist Dustin Plot to contend with. Plott in on a shot early. Fisher defends well but Plott will not be denied. He leads 3-0. Fisher escapes to make it 3-1. Fisher in on a shot with 30 seconds left in the bout but Plott defends to a stalemate. Plott in on another shot. Fisher doing the splits, but once again Plott will not be denied and converts with just a couple of seconds left. Or does he? There will be a referee's review to confirm. And it was three, Plott leads 6-1. 

2nd period: Plott underneath and he's out quickly to make it 7-1. Fisher on the attack but Plott counters and collects another takedown for a 10-1 lead. Nice granby by Fisher and he's finally out to make it 10-2. Plott will likely get a riding time point if this bout goes the distance. 

3rd period: Fisher chooses bottom, Plott says optional start. 10-3. Fisher looking for offense but Plott with heavy hands snaps Fisher down and gets a go-behind. Fisher escapes and it's 13-4. Stall warning on Fisher. One minute left in regulation. Knee slide low single and Plott gets three more. 16-4. Plott had a leg turked but instead he lets Fisher up to try and get the tech from neutral. 16-5 with 29 on the clock as the referee stops the match for bloodtime. Looks like Plott spring a leak somewhere. Riding time is locked up for Plott so he needs a takedown and rideout for the tech-fall. Back in action, the handfighting is fierce. Plott in on a shot, and he'll finish with just a couple of seconds on the clock. Not that they need them but Oklahoma State is getting the breaks and earning the extra points. 20-5 tech-fall with the riding time point!

Oklahoma State 25, Virginia Tech 9

197: #12 Luke Surber, OSU vs #10 Andy Smith, VT

1st period: Smith beat Surber 4-3 in the CKLV quarterfinals but this is about as evenly matched a bout as we'll see tonight. Early flurry but no scores after 30 seconds. Surber generating most of the action so far but still no scores. No stall calls on Smith either but the fans would like that to change. One minute left in the period. Now Smith finds an opening and had two arms around one of Surber's legs but Surber wrestles out of danger. No scores as the period ends but still an active three minutes. 

2nd period: Smith defers, Surber takes down and stands and is out in about 10 seconds. Smith in on another shot, Surber funk rolls, and we get a big guy scramble. They both roll back up to their feet, no change in score, but a fun sequence nonetheless. Surber still leads 1-0. Short time left in the second. And that's how the period ends. 

3rd period: Surber gets a turn on top. Smith's first move is stopped, Surber throws in a leg. Right leg is figure-foured. Surber looking for nearfall but Smith turns in at the right time and squirms free. he makes it 1-1, riding time not a factor at the moment. One minute left in regulation. Nice shot from Smith again but back to neutral. 30 seconds. Smith in again with 20 seconds. Surber sinks his hips and wrestles back to neutral. We're going to overtime. 

Sudden victory: No stall calls for either wrestler. Next score wins. Smith shoots again, stall warning on Surber. Surber grabs a far ankle, he's able to scramble out of neutral danger a couple of times. They're still scrambling. And Surber comes out on top! Shade of his coach David Taylor in that sequence! Revenge for Surber and another OSU victory!

Oklahoma State 28, Virginia Tech 10

285: #3 Wyatt Hendrickson, OSU vs Hunter Catka, VT

1st period: Hendrickson comes to OSU as a grad transfer from Air Force. Hunter Catka in for Jimmy Mullen. Shot from Catka early but Hendrickson passes a leg and scramble around to take the points for himself. 3-0 Hendrickson. Hendrickson working on a nice ride, and he takes Catka over with a bar and a suck back and Catka never gets off his back. Pinfall for the big guy! Oklahoma State wins 8 of 10 bouts!

Oklahoma State 34, Virginia Tech 10

Very impressive performance by the Cowboys. Virginia Tech was missing a couple of guys but gotta give credit to Oklahoma State for winning pretty much all the 50/50 situations and leaving very few points on the mat. 

Thanks for reading in real time (or long after the match ended, we'll take the clicks whenever they come!). Aplogies for the typos, will do better next time!