In its 2024-25 season opener, the Virginia wrestling team dominated North Dakota State at home. After only beating the Bison (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) 21-18 last season, the Cavaliers (1-0, 0-0 ACC) made a statement by winning 31-6.
The dual opened up with the 125 lbs class, and Virginia got to work early. Junior Keyveon Roller scored a takedown in the first period against senior Kellyn March, giving him a 3-0 advantage off the jump. While March chipped away at his lead throughout the dual, Roller ended up securing a 4-2 win by decision, giving the Cavaliers a 3-0 lead in the dual.
Next up for Virginia was sophomore Gable Porter, who went up against senior Kyle Burwick, the No. 30 ranked wrestler in the 133 lbs class. Once again the story of this bout was the takedown. Even though Burwick started out with a 1-0 lead, a big takedown by Porter in the second period put him up 3-1. This secured another 4-2 win by decision for the Cavaliers, doubling their lead.
With a 6-0 advantage, Virginia sought to keep expanding on its lead in the 141 lbs bout. Junior Kyren Butler faced another ranked North Dakota State wrestler in No. 30 Kellyn March. This matchup was a tale of two halves, as March jumped out to a 4-0 lead with an escape and a takedown. However, Butler battled back with two escapes to make it 4-2. With less than a minute and a half left, Butler scored a takedown to take the lead, earning another win for the Cavaliers and giving them a 9-0 lead in the dual.
Down nine points just three matches in, it was do or die time for the Bison. Sophomore Max Petersen, the No. 31 wrestler in the 149 lbs class, was up to wrestle for the visitors, who stood a good chance at earning some points. While senior Erik Roggie put up a good fight for Virginia, Petersen was able to overpower him in a 6-3 decision to make it 9-3.
Despite this noble effort, this is where any sort of momentum for North Dakota State was cut off. Junior Michael Gioffre started the big run for the Cavaliers with a win by major decision over his opponent. Then junior Nick Hamilton, the top ranked wrestler on the Virginia team and a reigning ACC champion, won his match in the 165 lbs class by a 7-3 decision.
After Hamilton, senior Rocco Contino scored one of the biggest wins of the day when he beat sophomore Devin Wasley by technical fall 22-6. After this run was over, the Cavaliers were up 21-3 and had almost guaranteed victory in the dual.
While the Bison scored three more points when redshirt freshman Aidan Brenot scored an upset win in a 9-4 decision over Virginia junior Hadyn Danals, those would be the last points they scored. Cavalier freshman Max Shulaw got his first career win for the team and the biggest win of the day when he scored the only win by pin in the dual. This gave Virginia six points and extended its lead to 27-6 going into the heavyweight dual.
With the dual win already secured, the Cavaliers were looking to make a statement in the final bout of the day. Senior Gabe Christenson, an Iowa transfer, dominated North Dakota State sophomore Drew Blackburn-Frost, winning 9-1 and getting two takedowns during the match. This victory ended the dual with a score of 30-6 in favor of Virginia.
Getting an opening win in such dominant fashion is huge for the Cavaliers. With their first open event Saturday, getting the rust off while generating some momentum will no doubt set up Virginia for more success down the road. The Cavaliers did not even use some of their better wrestlers, including senior Marlon Yarbrough II, fifth-year Dylan Cedeno and junior Jack Gioffre, all of whom were ranked last season.
This display of depth proves that when the times are tough, Virginia can sustain some injuries and have multiple dependable wrestlers in every class. The Cavaliers are back in action Saturday at the Southeast Open in Roanoke, Va., where they will face a variety of schools.
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