University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA WRESTLERS THRASH VIRGINIA TECH 42-9 IN BLACKSBURG, VA
12/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Golden Gophers won five matches by fall, beginning with the first match of the day at 197 pounds. Second-ranked Owen Elzen made quick work of Canaan Prater, pinning the Hokie in 0:50. Heavyweight Garrett Lowney continued the pin parade, rolling Pete Pool on his back in 4:29 to move the team score to 12-0. At 125 pounds, No. 3 Leroy Vega notched six takedowns and a near-fall to down Geoff Head 17-4. The Hokies won the first of two matches in the meet as Minnesota forfeited at 133 pounds, giving the win to David Hoffman.
In the featured match of the day, No. 3 Chad Erikson dropped No. 2 Sean Gray by major decision, 17-6, to remain undefeated at 10-0 overall (3-0 dual). The bout was highlighted by 11 near-fall points, nine of which going to Erikson. Gray tied Erikson at the start of the second period, but the Golden Gopher scored 11 unanswered point via two reversals and two three-point near-falls to cruise to victory. Jared Lawrence gave Minnesota another six points with his pin of Reed Carpenter in 4:53. The fourth-ranked Lawrence improved to 9-0 overall on the year.
At 157 pounds, second-ranked Luke Becker stayed unbeaten on the season, routing Mike Cox in a 19-6 major decision. Becker tallied seven takedowns, a reversal and a near-fall in the win. Next, Nate Baker pinned Jake Wareing in 1:52 in Baker's first dual meet appearance of his career at Minnesota. Fourth-ranked Jacob Volkmann closed out Minnesota's victories and pins, rolling Tomas Ovalle to his back in 2:12. Volkmann took Ovalle down at 0:24 before pinning the Hokie 1:48 later to stay unbeaten at 11-0 overall (4-0 dual). The meet ended at 184 pounds with a hard-fought, exciting bout between No. 5 Damion Hahn and No. 9 Scott Justus. It was the Hokie that came out on top, winning 3-1 with a takedown in sudden victory overtime. Justus defeated Hahn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2001.
No. 1 Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech December 8, 2001 Cassell Coliseum o Blacksburg, Virginia Attendance: 1,638 Wt Matchup 197 No. 2 Owen Elzen (MINN) pinned Canaan Prater (VT), 0:50 HWT No. 5 Garrett Lowney (MINN) pinned Pete Pool (VT), 4:29 125 No. 3 Leroy Vega (MINN) maj. dec. Geoff Head (VT), 17-4 133 Scott Hoffman (VT) wins by forfeit 141 No. 3 Chad Erikson (MINN) maj. dec. No. 2 Sean Gray (VT), 17-6 149 No. 4 Jared Lawrence (MINN) pinned Reed Carpenter (VT), 4:53 157 No. 2 Luke Becker (MINN) maj. dec. Mike Cox (VT), 19-6 165 Nate Baker (MINN) pinned Jake Wareing (VT), 1:52 174 No. 4 Jacob Volkmann (MINN) pinned Tomas Ovalle (VT), 2:12 184 No. 5 Damion Hahn (MINN) dec. No. Scott Justus (VT), 3-1 SVO FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 42 VIRGINIA TECH 9 * Play-by-by not available. Check www.hokiesportsinfo.com for meet play-by-play.
