The battle of the badgers is on! On Saturday, February 22nd, Virginia Tech vs Cornell will face off in a thrilling college wrestling match. This match will be intense and exciting, with both teams bringing their best to the mat. This is the first time these two teams have ever faced each other in a wrestling match, and both are looking forward to a hard-fought and competitive game. Both teams have strong records, with Virginia Tech having a history of 8-2 and Cornell boasting a 7-3.
Team Records
Virginia Tech is no stranger to success in the sport of wrestling. The Hokies have a long and proud history from 1923, when the program began. Over the years, Virginia Tech vs Cornell has established itself as one of the premier programs in college wrestling, boasting a 14-time ACC Champion, two NCAA Champions, and over 50 NCAA All-Americans. This season, the Hokies enter the matchup with Cornell sporting a 10-3 overall record.
Cornell is no slouch when it comes to wrestling, either. With their storied history, they have won two NCAA Championships and eight EIWA titles and produced over 25 NCAA All-Americans since their program’s inception in 1901. The Big Red come into the matchup this season with an 8-2 overall record.
Last Year’s Matchup
The Virginia Tech Hokies and Cornell Big Red faced off for the first time in the 2020 season in an exciting match. The Hokies came out strong, winning the first six matches and building a 13-0 lead. Cornell closed the gap to 13-7 with wins from two of their top wrestlers, but it was too late. Virginia Tech sealed the deal with a pin in the last match, ending the contest with a 19-7 victory. The Hokies were victorious, but both teams put on a great show for the fans. It was an entertaining match between two strong programs and will leave the audience wanting more when they meet again this year.
Key Players
The Virginia Tech Hokies have a deep roster of talented wrestlers that have the potential to make a statement in this matchup. Led by nationally-ranked wrestlers David McFadden and Hunter Bolen, both are capable of upsetting Cornell’s higher-ranked wrestlers. With the help of other experienced wrestlers like Zack Zavatsky and Johnny Satterfield, the Hokies look to make a statement in this matchup.
The Big Red has its own powerhouse wrestlers as well. Nationally ranked wrestlers Chas Tucker and Yianni Diakomihalis lead the way for the Big Red. Their experience at the highest level of competition gives them a clear edge going into this match. With the help of veterans such as Max Dean, Vitali Arujau, and Brandon Womack, the Big Red will look to take this matchup and keep their spot as one of the top teams in college wrestling.
Prediction
This year’s match between Virginia Tech and Cornell promises to be exciting. The Virginia Tech Hokies have a very solid record coming into the game, having won seven out of their last ten matches. Meanwhile, the Cornell Big Red have only had two wins in their previous ten games, but they have an impressive history of success that should be noticed.
Both teams have talented wrestlers that have had great success in the past. Virginia Tech vs Cornell has Kyontai Richardson, ranked in the top 15 nationally, and Isaac Reininger, a highly-rated wrestler. Cornell has the #3 ranked wrestler in the country, and Nico Megaludis, Chas Tucker, and Yianni Diakomihalis ranked in the top 10 nationally.
While both teams have excellent talent and records, we predict Virginia Tech will come out on top this year. Their overall record is much better, and they have experienced wrestlers in key positions. With all that being said, Cornell is never to be counted out and could surprise us with an upset victory. No matter how it goes, we can expect an exciting match between two great teams.
