CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling team (1-0) is gearing up to take its competitive spirit on the road for the very first time this season, as they prepare for dual action this weekend at the prestigious Throwdown On The Yorktown event in the historic coastal city of Charleston, S.C. The Cavaliers will face their opponents, The Citadel (0-0) and Gardner-Webb (0-1), in a highly anticipated doubleheader on Friday night, November 8th.
The duals will be staged on the renowned U.S.S. Yorktown, an aircraft carrier that has been transformed into a unique sports venue, with the opening dual against The Citadel slated to commence at 5:30 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans eager to track the team’s progress can receive real-time updates on all the action by following the program’s official account on X (@UVAWrestling). Comprehensive live statistics will also be available for viewing at VirginiaSports.com. In addition, the duals are scheduled to be streamed live by FloWrestling, a service that requires a subscription for access.
HOOS IN THE RANKINGS (InterMat)
133: No. 33 Gable Porter
141: No. 21 Marlon Yarbrough
165: No. 12 Nick Hamilton
QUICK SHOTS
- Virginia is emerging from a successful season-opening dual win over North Dakota State, where the Cavaliers decisively triumphed over the Bison with a score of 31-6 at the Aquatics & Fitness Center just a week ago.
- In that dominating performance, the Cavaliers showcased their strength by winning 8 out of 10 weight classes and are expected to field a similar lineup on the mat against both The Citadel and Gardner-Webb.
- Freshman sensation Max Shulaw made an impressive debut, securing the first pin of the season with a second-period pinfall against his opponent in the dual with North Dakota State, marking a strong start to his collegiate career.
- Gabe Christenson displayed great resilience as he clinched a victory in his bout versus NDSU, marking his return to competition since November of the 2022-23 season.
- Meanwhile, Brenan Morgan shone brightly at the Southeast Open, clinching the heavyweight title after executing a series of impressive performances that included a major decision and four pinfalls en route to the championship in the competitive freshman/sophomore division.
- Jack Lesher, Nick Sanko, and Anthony Rossi also demonstrated their skill at the Southeast Open, with Lesher and Rossi securing fifth place in their respective weight classes within the freshman/sophomore division, while Sanko achieved a commendable sixth-place finish in the open division.
VIRGINIA PROBABLE STARTERS
125: Keyveon Roller OR Anthony Rossi
133: Marlon Yarbrough OR Gable Porter
141: Kyren Butler
149: Jack Gioffre OR Erik Roggie
157: Michael Gioffre OR Nick Sanko
165: Nick Hamilton OR Michael Murphy
174: Rocco Contino OR Justin Phillips
184: Griffin Gammell OR Jack Lesher
197: Steven Burrell Jr. OR Max Shulaw OR Ethan Weatherspoon
285: Gabe Christenson OR Brenan Morgan
THE CITADEL PROBABLE STARTERS
125: Malik Hardy OR Tyler Washburn
133: George Rosas
141: Thomas Termini
149: Carson DesRosier OR Kyrel Leavell
157: Tyler Badgett OR Hayden Watson
165: Thomas Snipes
174: Ben Haubert OR Brodie Porter
184: Billy Janzer
197: Patrick Brophy
285: Adam Ortega
GARDNER-WEBB PROBABLE STARTERS
125: Jeff Jacome OR Tyson Lane
133: TK Davis OR Charlie Sly
141: Todd Carter
149: Joseph Giordano
157: Drew Pepin
165: Tyler Brignola OR Grant Kress
174: Andrew Wilson OR Jackson Potts
184: Edison Flores OR Brixan Burgess
197: Josh McCutchen
285: Peyton McComas
THE SERIES WITH THE CITADEL
- Virginia and The Citadel have a storied rivalry, having faced each other eight times; however, the Bulldogs currently hold a narrow 5-3 advantage in the overall series.
- The most recent encounter took place during the 2016-17 season, where the Cavaliers emerged victorious with a commanding 38-3 win at their home venue, Memorial Gym.
- Notably, the Cavaliers have claimed victory in their last two meetings, continuing a historic rivalry that began back in 1960 and has been contested on an irregular basis.
THE SERIES WITH GARDNER-WEBB
- The Cavaliers and Gardner-Webb have clashed a total of 10 times, with Virginia dominating the series with a perfect 10-0 record.
- In their last encounter, the Cavaliers secured a thrilling 22-19 victory a year ago during a neutral-site contest held at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Virginia.
- The series commenced during the 2005-06 season, and this matchup marks the fourth time the teams will face off in a neutral-site environment.
**Interview with Virginia Wrestling Head Coach**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach! Your team is off to a strong start with that decisive win over North Dakota State. How are you feeling as you prepare for the duals this weekend at the Throwdown on the Yorktown?
**Coach:** Thank you for having me! We’re feeling great about our season so far. The win against North Dakota State really showcased our team’s potential, especially with us winning 8 out of 10 weight classes. The energy is high, and we’re keen to carry that momentum into our matches against The Citadel and Gardner-Webb.
**Interviewer:** Competing on the U.S.S. Yorktown is such a unique experience. What does it mean for your team to wrestle at this historical venue?
**Coach:** Wrestling on an aircraft carrier like the U.S.S. Yorktown is incredibly special. It provides an inspiring backdrop for our athletes, and it’s a reminder of the commitment and sacrifice that so many have made in our country’s history. It adds an extra layer of motivation for our wrestlers, not just to perform well, but to represent our school and our country honorably.
**Interviewer:** Freshman Max Shulaw made a splash with his pin in his debut match. How has he acclimated to college wrestling, and what role do you see him playing as the season progresses?
**Coach:** Max has been remarkable. His ability to adapt quickly and perform under pressure speaks volumes about his talent and mental toughness. As the season progresses, we expect him to become a key player for us, especially in the 197-pound class. His confidence is growing, and we’re excited to see how he develops.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned some impressive individual performances also coming from Gabe Christenson and Brenan Morgan. Can you tell us what these athletes bring to the team dynamic?
**Coach:** Both Gabe and Brenan are vital to our lineup. Gabe’s resilience in bouncing back from a long layoff shows his dedication, and it’s a boost to the morale of the whole team. Brenan has been a powerhouse, especially with his performances at the Southeast Open. His championship win has set a great standard for our heavyweight division, and we rely on their experience and leadership as we compete this season.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, how do you approach the wrestling strategy against The Citadel and Gardner-Webb?
**Coach:** Each team has its strengths, so we’re focusing on our fundamentals and ensuring our wrestlers are prepared strategically for their opponents. We’ve analyzed their rosters and will adapt our game plan accordingly. The goal is to control each match, leverage our strengths in different weight classes, and execute our techniques effectively.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach! Best of luck at the Throwdown on the Yorktown. We can’t wait to see how your team performs!
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and hope to make everyone proud this weekend!
