After a strong start to the season, Virginia wrestling opened 2025 at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn. The tournament featured 23 teams, six of which were ranked in the nation’s top 25. Despite the stiff competition, the Cavaliers (4-1, 0-0 ACC) performed well, headlined by fifth-year Dylan Cedeno.
Cedeno captured the title in the 141-lbs weight class, becoming the first Virginia wrestler to win in any class at the Southern Scuffle since Jack Mueller in 2018. Cedeno’s route to victory was not easy, as he faced two nationally ranked wrestlers. However, he powered through and embodied grit en route to five straight wins.
After opening with a decision victory over Oklahoma freshman Hunter Hollingsworth, Cedeno pinned his second opponent in just two minutes and 44 seconds. He then went on to win a decision over Army sophomore Braden Basile, the 22nd-ranked wrestler in the class. In the semifinals, Cedeno beat another ranked wrestler when he took down Campbell graduate student Shannon Hanna, who is ranked 24th. Finally, Cedeno got a victory over North Carolina sophomore Jayden Scott to secure his title and deny the Cavaliers’ conference rivals.
Aside from Cedeno, Virginia mustered a few other landmark performances. Juniors Kyren Butler and Keyveon Roller each captured sixth place, at 141 lbs and 125 lbs, respectively. Butler snatched two quick victories on his first day, by a combined score of 27-11. However, he was defeated in the quarterfinals by Army senior Richard Treanor. Butler was able to win his first consolation match and make it to the second day of the tournament. Once there, his luck largely ran out. While he did win his first match on medical forfeit, he lost his next two and fell to sixth place.
Roller’s path to sixth place looked similar, although he had to wrestle an additional match on day one. He opened the tournament with three consecutive victories, all of which were bonus point victories and totaled 45-8. But like Butler, he fell in the quarterfinals to Campbell graduate student Anthony Molton. A tech fall win in his first consolation match sent Roller through to day two. While he did win his first match then, injuries forced him to medically forfeit his two remaining matches and accept sixth place.
The final placer for the Cavaliers was junior Nick Sanko, who took seventh at 157 lbs. Sanko’s story in the event was one of resilience and embodies the type of fight Virginia needs if it is to be a major player in the ACC. After winning his first match, Sanko fell in a close 7-6 decision. Facing elimination, he went on to win three consecutive consolation matches to advance to day two. However, Sanko dropped his first match of day two to North Dakota State junior Gabriel Schumm. He won his final match to secure seventh.
This tournament showed the determination of the Cavaliers. They faced adversity, whether it was stiff competition, injuries or rough draws, yet the team got seven wrestlers into the quarterfinals and placed four out of the 17 that participated. Cedeno’s victory also means that Virginia will have a winner in every tournament it has entered this season, which highlights how it can take on the tough schedule of ACC play and the postseason.
The Cavaliers will begin ACC play at home when NC State comes to town Jan. 17. The dual will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be the first test to see if Virginia can hang with ACC competition. The Wolfpack (6-0, 0-0 ACC) are currently ranked No. 6 nationally, so the Cavaliers will have to be at their best.
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