Virginia Wrestling Drops Home Opener to No. 13 North Carolina, 25-10
The atmosphere was electric at John Paul Jones Arena on Friday night as Virginia wrestling returned home for the first time this season. But against a deep and disciplined North Carolina squad ranked No. 13 in the country, the Cavaliers couldn’t quite find their rhythm, falling 25-10 in the ACC dual.
Virginia managed to claim three individual wins on the night, with strong performances from Keyveon Roller (125), Wynton Denkins (149), and Nick Hamilton (174). But overall, the dual was defined by missed opportunities and momentum that just wouldn’t swing UVA’s way.
Key Wins for the Cavaliers
Keyveon Roller was a bright spot in the lineup, making his return to the mat after being sidelined since the Southern Scuffle. Roller looked sharp and composed, shaking off any rust with an impressive 11-2 major decision over Cameron Stinson. He’s now 13-3 on the season and 7-2 in duals-a strong sign that he’s back in form and ready to be a difference-maker in the lineup moving forward.
At 149, Wynton Denkins continued his steady season with a gritty 4-1 sudden victory over Nate Askew. Denkins, now 14-7 overall and 8-3 in dual action, showed poise in a tight match that came down to execution in overtime. He’s been a consistent presence for the Cavaliers, and Friday was no different.
Nick Hamilton also delivered at 174, edging Collin Carrigan 4-2 in a tactical battle. The win moves Hamilton to 6-4 on the year and an impressive 5-1 in duals. His ability to control the pace and finish when it mattered was a key takeaway from the night.
Where Things Slipped Away
Despite those individual wins, Virginia couldn’t keep pace with a Tar Heels lineup that brought ranked wrestlers up and down the card. UNC took seven of the ten bouts, including back-to-back technical falls at 184 and 197 that blew the match open.
One of the early turning points came at 141, where Gable Porter opened with a slick low double-what looked like a textbook scoring opportunity-only to see the momentum flip in a flash. Instead of earning back points, Porter ended up on his back and surrendered seven. That kind of swing defined the night for UVA: solid setups, but costly mistakes at critical junctures.
Head coach Steve Garland didn’t mince words afterward. “Last week we competed like warriors,” he said.
“Tonight, we didn’t. I had high expectations for this group, but we came out flat.
That’s on me.”
Garland pointed to the contrast in energy and execution compared to the previous outing. “Last week we got the first takedown in the first five bouts. This time, it was the opposite.”
He also highlighted tactical missteps, particularly in matches like Colton Washleski’s razor-thin 15-14 loss at 157. Washleski, known for his grit, battled to the final whistle but came up just short against No.
31 Laird Root. “Colton always fights,” Garland said.
“But tactically, it wasn’t his best match.”
Moving Forward
There’s no panic in the Cavaliers’ camp, but there is urgency. Garland emphasized the need to translate technical knowledge into match-day execution.
“We need to somehow get our knowledge of the sport into their heads,” he said. “That’s the trick for any coach.”
The good news? There were flashes of what this team is capable of-Roller’s return, Denkins’ resilience, Hamilton’s control. But to compete with top-tier programs like UNC, Virginia knows it needs to bring a full lineup of focused, mistake-free wrestling.
The Cavaliers (8-5, 0-2 ACC) won’t have to wait long for another test. They’re back in action next Saturday, hosting No. 24 Stanford in what promises to be another high-level dual at the Aquatics and Fitness Center.
Dual Results: North Carolina 25, Virginia 10
- 141: No. 20 Luke Simcox (UNC) dec.
Gable Porter, 8-3
- 149: Wynton Denkins (UVA) dec.
Nate Askew, 4-1 (SV-1)
- 157: No.
31 Laird Root (UNC) dec. No.
30 Colton Washleski, 15-14
- 165: No.
13 Bryce Hepner (UNC) dec. Michael Murphy, 6-0
- 174: No. 28 Nick Hamilton (UVA) dec.
Collin Carrigan, 4-2
- 184: No.
14 Jake Dailey (UNC) tech fall Dylan Newsome, 21-5 (5:58)
- 197: Robert Platt (UNC) tech fall Steven Burrell Jr., 20-4 (5:56)
- 285: No. 28 Nolan Neves (UNC) dec.
Brenan Morgan, 7-2
- 125: No.
23 Keyveon Roller (UVA) major dec. Cameron Stinson, 11-2
- 133: No. 19 Ethan Oakley (UNC) dec.
Marlon Yarbrough, 8-1
Virginia showed flashes of potential, but against a seasoned and ranked Tar Heels squad, flashes weren’t enough. With ACC play heating up, the Cavaliers know it’s time to turn lessons into wins.