Last Saturday, the Virginia wrestling team overcame a 13-6 deficit to defeat in-state rival Virginia Tech, 18-16. The Cavaliers (5-5) have won five out of their last six contests, and look to continue their winning streak this weekend as they compete in three dual matches. Should Virginia win all three, they would establish themselves as a clear favorite for the ACC title.
"This year we've improved a lot," junior Ryan Stewart said. "We're definitely ACC contenders, and we should take first."
The season started out slowly for the Cavaliers, who lost their first dual match to VMI on Jan. 8. Virginia has caught fire since the start of the spring semester, however, and works hard to improve with each passing day.
"We've been stepping it up in the [training] room, picking up our work ethic the last couple of weeks," Senior Brian Muir said.
The Cavaliers will host Millersville (4-7) and UNC-Greensboro (1-9) Saturday at Memorial Gym, and travel to Norfolk Sunday to face Old Dominion (5-6). Though Virginia is favored on paper in each of these matches, Cavalier wrestlers are not underestimating their opponents.
"We focus on the next match, and individually just focus on the person we're wrestling next," Stewart said. "If each individual focuses on his match then we're going to win as a team. The guys don't look at rankings and records. They just prepare themselves and wrestle the best they can."
Virginia has not wrestled Millersville or UNC-Greensboro, but has an extensive history against Old Dominion. The Cavaliers have dominated the series recently, winning three years in a row.
"They have a good coach," Stewart said. "My brother wrestled for them and they've got a good coach. I guess talent-wise we just have better talent."
Though three matches in two days may seem like a lot, collegiate wrestlers often wrestle similar numbers of matches during tournaments. The biggest challenge that goes along with the extra matches this weekend will be the task of making weight.
"Since its two matches Saturday and one Sunday it's a little harder because you have to make weight twice," Stewart said. "We've done it twice already so we're used to it, but you still wish you didn't have to.
For the Cavaliers to be successful this weekend, they will have to count on a number of wrestlers to lead the charge. So far, Virginia has succeeded because almost everyone has stepped up in one pressure situation or another.
"A lot of guys are starting to wrestle up to their ability," Muir said. " [Freshman] Brian Sticca is starting to wrestle amazing, [senior] Josh Etu is having a great year, [sophomore] Will Durkee is having a great year, and everyone is coming together as a team."
Muir turned in one of the more clutch performances of the season last week against the Hokies. After Durkee won his match to give Virginia its first lead of the dual, Muir sealed the victory with a 10-8 overtime decision.
"I was really trying to put the whole situation out of my mind and try to wrestle my match and get the win," Muir said. "The match didn't go quite as well as I expected, but I guess it's just important to pull out the win."
After this weekend's set, the Cavaliers have three tough ACC matches, including next week's contest against conference powerhouse NC State. A sweep this weekend would increase the team's momentum, which Virginia will need down the stretch.
"We just need to continue what we've been doing, maybe start turning it up a little bit more, and increase the intensity level going into the ACCs," Muir said.
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