The 11th-ranked Virginia wrestling team began its 2014-15 campaign with three straightforward victories Sunday at the Cavalier Duals. The Cavaliers commenced the affair with a 33-9 victory against Division II Anderson before trouncing Virginia Military Institute 51-0 and ending the day with a 34-6 win against George Mason.
“It was another really good first weekend for us,” coach Steve Garland said. “Today was the reward for all of the work [the team] has put in since August. It’s a gift to be out there, so go out and make the most of it.”
The Cavaliers tinkered with their lineup in their first bout with the Trojans to spread around the mat time. Redshirt freshmen Alex Uhre and Zach Watson made their dual meet debuts wearing a Virginia singlet. Uhre recorded a technical fall at 125 pounds and Watson pinned Anderson freshman Conor Caffrey at 141 pounds
Three other Cavaliers scored bonus points against the Trojans. Sophomore James Suvak won by major decision at 184 pounds and junior Patrick Gillen and senior Collin Campbell registered pin falls at 197 and heavyweight, respectively.
Virginia’s victory against the Keydets was one for the record books. The Cavaliers racked up the sixth-most points in program history and broke the 50-point mark for only the eighth time ever.
“I saw guys maxing and out scoring points in bunches,” Garland said. “Great teams score points in bunches. Great teams get six points when they need to, and great teams feed off of momentum. We did all of that today.”
Virginia scored bonus points in nine of their 10 contests against VMI. Senior Joe Spisak, redshirt freshman T.J. Miller, junior Blaise Butler and senior Derek Papagianopoulos all stuck their opponents for six points apiece.
Papagianopoulos’ pin offered a particularly exciting moment for the Cavaliers on their path to victory. Wrestling in his first match in approximately a year, Papagianopoulos took down his man and pinned him in one fluid motion with just two seconds remaining in the first overtime period.
But Papagianopoulos was just one of three comeback stories from Sunday. Sophomore George DiCamillo also missed last season due to injury and was victorious in both of his matches on the day.
“It was awesome to be back,” DiCamillo said. “That was the least nervous I had ever been. Last year taught me to appreciate my health, and it is amazing how much I’ve grown because of it.”
Senior Billy Coggins also won two bonus point victories, two years after he last competed for the Cavaliers. Coggins redshirted in 2012-13 and missed all of 2013-14 with an injury. Garland hailed Coggins’ devotion to the program and his decision to return for a final season.
“Coggins was the story of the day,” Garland said. “That kid has fought through everything. He’s been through so many injuries and surgeries, and he didn’t have to come back. I’m so happy for Billy.”
The Cavaliers easily brushed aside the Patriots for their third and final win Sunday. Six Virginia wrestlers scored bonus points, including senior Nick Sulzer. Sulzer — ranked second nationally at 165 pounds — wrestled in the NWCA All-Star Classic Saturday evening where he lost to top-ranked Oklahoma State junior Alex Dieringer, 4-2. Sulzer wrestled twice following the quick turnaround and trip from Philadelphia, winning both times.
Though Sunday showcased the grappling talent assembled by Garland, it was just a small step toward the program’s ultimate goal which waits in March: the NCAA tournament.
“The takeaway from today was how well our guys competed,” Garland said. “Guys need to worry about their performance and not the result. Make no mistake about it, the NCAA tournament is all about performance.”
Virginia will send a contingent to the Hokie Open next Sunday in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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