The rivalry between Ohio State and Virginia Tech in wrestling has been a thrilling one, with many memorable matches over the years. Here are five of the most exciting matches in the history of this rivalry.
The Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry has a rich history, with both teams consistently ranking among the top programs in the country. The two teams have met on the mat numerous times, with each match showcasing the best of collegiate wrestling. From nail-biting finishes to dominating performances, these matches have left fans on the edge of their seats.
In this article, we will take a closer look at five thrilling matches in the history of Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling. These matches have contributed to the rich legacy of this rivalry and will be remembered for years to come.
The Rivalry Begins
The Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry has its roots in the early 2000s. The two teams first met on the mat in 2002, with Ohio State emerging victorious. However, it was not until the mid-2000s that the rivalry began to gain momentum.
One of the earliest thrilling matches in this rivalry took place in 2005. The match saw Ohio State's Lance Palmer face off against Virginia Tech's Chris Diaz in the 149-pound weight class. Palmer, who would go on to become a two-time NCAA champion, dominated the match, winning by a score of 12-4.
A Look at the Match
The 2005 match between Palmer and Diaz was a masterclass in wrestling. Palmer, known for his quickness and agility, used his speed to evade Diaz's attacks and land several takedowns. Diaz, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with Palmer's pace, ultimately succumbing to a 12-4 defeat.
The win marked a turning point in the rivalry, with Ohio State emerging as the dominant force. However, Virginia Tech would not be intimidated, and the two teams would go on to have many more thrilling matches.
A Upset for the Ages
In 2008, Virginia Tech pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the rivalry. The Hokies, led by coach Kevin Dresser, traveled to Columbus, Ohio, looking to take down the top-ranked Buckeyes.
The match saw several closely contested bouts, but none more thrilling than the 165-pound weight class. Virginia Tech's Matt Epperly faced off against Ohio State's Colt Sponseller, who was undefeated at the time.
A Thrilling Finish
The match between Epperly and Sponseller was a back-and-forth affair, with both wrestlers trading takedowns and escapes. However, it was Epperly who would ultimately emerge victorious, winning by a score of 8-7.
The upset marked a turning point in the rivalry, with Virginia Tech proving that they could hang with the best of the best. The win also marked a shift in momentum, with the Hokies going on to win several more matches in the rivalry.
A Dominating Performance
In 2011, Ohio State's Logan Stieber faced off against Virginia Tech's Zach Neibert in the 133-pound weight class. The match was expected to be a closely contested bout, but Stieber had other plans.
The Ohio State wrestler dominated the match, winning by a score of 15-5. The win marked a turning point in the rivalry, with Stieber emerging as one of the top wrestlers in the country.
A Career-Defining Moment
The match between Stieber and Neibert was a career-defining moment for the Ohio State wrestler. Stieber, who would go on to become a four-time NCAA champion, used the match as a springboard to launch his career.
The win also marked a shift in momentum, with Ohio State going on to win several more matches in the rivalry. However, Virginia Tech would not be intimidated, and the two teams would continue to have many more thrilling matches.
A Come-From-Behind Victory
In 2015, Virginia Tech's Joey Dance faced off against Ohio State's Nathan Tomasello in the 125-pound weight class. The match was expected to be a closely contested bout, with both wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in the country.
However, it was Dance who would ultimately emerge victorious, winning by a score of 8-6. The win marked a turning point in the rivalry, with Virginia Tech pulling off a come-from-behind victory.
A Thrilling Finish
The match between Dance and Tomasello was a back-and-forth affair, with both wrestlers trading takedowns and escapes. However, it was Dance who would ultimately emerge victorious, winning by a score of 8-6.
The win marked a shift in momentum, with Virginia Tech going on to win several more matches in the rivalry. However, Ohio State would not be intimidated, and the two teams would continue to have many more thrilling matches.
A Nail-Biting Finish
In 2018, Ohio State's Kollin Moore faced off against Virginia Tech's Jared Haught in the 197-pound weight class. The match was expected to be a closely contested bout, with both wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in the country.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both wrestlers trading takedowns and escapes. However, it was Moore who would ultimately emerge victorious, winning by a score of 4-3.
A Thrilling Finish
The match between Moore and Haught was a nail-biting finish, with both wrestlers giving it their all. The win marked a turning point in the rivalry, with Ohio State pulling off a thrilling victory.
The win also marked a shift in momentum, with Ohio State going on to win several more matches in the rivalry. However, Virginia Tech would not be intimidated, and the two teams would continue to have many more thrilling matches.
Gallery of Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech Wrestling History:
FAQ Section:
What is the history of the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry?
+The Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry has a rich history, with the two teams first meeting on the mat in 2002. The rivalry has seen many thrilling matches over the years, with both teams consistently ranking among the top programs in the country.
Who are some of the most notable wrestlers in the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech rivalry?
+Some of the most notable wrestlers in the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech rivalry include Lance Palmer, Logan Stieber, and Kollin Moore from Ohio State, and Matt Epperly, Joey Dance, and Jared Haught from Virginia Tech.
What are some of the most thrilling matches in the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry?
+Some of the most thrilling matches in the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry include the 2005 match between Lance Palmer and Chris Diaz, the 2008 match between Matt Epperly and Colt Sponseller, and the 2018 match between Kollin Moore and Jared Haught.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech wrestling rivalry. The two teams have a rich history, with many thrilling matches over the years. We encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on the rivalry in the comments section below.