Virginia Wrestling Falls to No. 7 Virginia Tech in Smithfield Commonwealth Clash
The atmosphere was electric at John Paul Jones Arena on Friday night, but the Virginia wrestling team couldn’t quite harness the energy to pull off an upset, falling 32-7 to No. 7 Virginia Tech in a Smithfield Commonwealth Clash showdown. The dual meet was a tough one for the Cavaliers, who now sit at 9-7 overall and 1-4 in ACC competition, while the Hokies improved to 9-2 and remained unbeaten in conference duals at 4-0.
Despite the final score, there were a few standout performances that gave the home crowd something to cheer about-and a glimpse of the grit and potential this Virginia squad brings to the mat.
Porter Powers Through
At 141 pounds, Gable Porter delivered one of the night’s most impressive moments. Wrestling through illness, Porter dug deep and came away with a dominant 10-4 major decision over Drew Gorman.
That win marked his 19th of the season and his seventh major decision-a testament to his aggressive style and ability to control matches. He’s now 9-3 in dual action, and perhaps more importantly, showed what it looks like to leave everything on the mat.
Head coach Steve Garland couldn’t have been prouder: “Every ounce of energy he had was expended in that match. It was beautiful to watch.”
Denkins Delivers Career-Best Win
Right behind Porter, Wynton Denkins stepped up at 149 pounds and scored a signature win of his own, edging out No. 6 Collin Gaj in a gritty 3-2 decision.
That’s Denkins’ highest-ranked win of the season, and it didn’t come easy. He’s now 15-9 on the year, and this was already his sixth time facing a top-10 opponent.
That kind of schedule tests a wrestler’s resolve, and Denkins showed he’s not just surviving-he’s learning, adapting, and now, breaking through.
Coach Garland called it possibly the biggest win of Denkins’ career, and it’s hard to argue. It was a gutsy, composed performance that showed just how dangerous he can be when everything clicks.
Heart, Not Just Scoreboard
While the scoreboard tilted heavily in Virginia Tech’s favor, the Cavaliers had moments that told a deeper story. One of those came at 157 pounds, where Colton Washleski went toe-to-toe with No.
16 Ethen Miller. The match went to sudden victory, with Miller narrowly escaping 4-3 in TB-1.
Washleski may not have walked off the mat with a win, but his effort lit a fire in the building-and within his teammates.
“When you wrestle like that and lose, there is pain but no regret,” Garland said. “Regret can weigh you down, but pain you can deal with.”
That kind of fight, even in defeat, is something this program can build on.
The Clash Continues
Friday’s dual counted for one point in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, the all-sports rivalry series between UVA and Virginia Tech. With the Hokies’ win in wrestling, Virginia still leads the overall competition 5.5 to 2.5.
The Clash, which dates back to 2014 in its current form, adds another layer to an already heated rivalry, and wrestling always brings its own brand of intensity to the table. Even in a lopsided result, the passion from both sides was undeniable.
Garland made a point to thank the fans who packed JPJ: “Huge thanks to everyone who came out. I apologize that we didn’t perform better, but I’m so thankful for the support. This place was packed.”
The night also included a special recognition for Coach George Edwards, a figure Garland described as the embodiment of “impact over outcome.”
What’s Next
The Cavaliers will have a bit of time to regroup before their next test-an away match against No. 12 Pittsburgh on Friday, February 20. It’s another tough opponent, but also another opportunity for this team to prove it’s more than the sum of its record.
Full Results: No. 7 Virginia Tech 32, Virginia 7
- 125: No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) tech fall Rocco Hayes, 20-5 (6:39)
- 133: No. 6 Aaron Seidel (VT) tech fall Marlon Yarbrough, 15-0 (3:54)
- 141: Gable Porter (UVA) major dec. Drew Gorman, 10-4
- 149: Wynton Denkins (UVA) dec. No.
6 Collin Gaj, 3-2
- 157: No.
16 Ethen Miller (VT) dec. No.
30 Colton Washleski, 4-3 (TB-1)
- 165: Mac Church (VT) dec.
Michael Murphy, 5-1
- 174: No.
31 Sergio Desiante (VT) major dec. No.
27 Nick Hamilton, 15-4
- 184: No.
32 Jaden Bullock (VT) major dec. Jack Lesher, 11-2
- 197: No. 14 Sonny Sasso (VT) major dec.
Steven Burrell Jr., 9-1
- 285: No.
17 Jimmy Mullen (VT) major dec. Brenan Morgan, 14-6
There’s no sugarcoating the result-it was a tough night for Virginia. But in the trenches of a heated rivalry, the Cavaliers found a few bright spots and a lot of heart. And with more ACC battles ahead, that resilience might just be the spark they need.