The Virginia Cavaliers wrestling team walked into Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday night and walked out with an ACC win that showcased both grit and depth. With a 9-6 overall record and now 1-3 in conference play, Virginia handled Duke (6-10, 0-3 ACC) convincingly, stacking up bonus points and extending a dominant streak in the all-time series.
Let’s start with the history: Virginia now holds a commanding 67-7-2 lead over Duke and has rattled off eight straight dual wins against the Blue Devils. That’s not just dominance - that’s tradition. And Friday night’s performance only reinforced that narrative.
The Cavaliers were aggressive from the jump, racking up five bonus-point wins - three major decisions and two technical falls. That kind of production doesn’t just look good on the scoreboard; it speaks to the team’s mindset. They weren’t just trying to win - they were trying to dominate.
Colton Washleski set the tone early, opening the dual with a major decision that marked his 18th win of the season. Gable Porter matched that milestone later in the night, picking up his own 18th victory with a technical fall. These two continue to be pillars in Virginia’s lineup, consistently delivering high-level performances when it matters most.
Another name to know: Rocco Hayes. The freshman is quietly building a reputation for himself, improving to 3-0 in dual meets and 2-0 in ACC matchups with a solid win at 125 pounds.
For a young wrestler stepping into a conference as competitive as the ACC, that’s no small feat. Hayes is showing early signs of being a reliable piece for Virginia in both the present and the future.
Head coach Steve Garland didn’t hold back in praising his squad, especially considering the circumstances. “It has been an absolutely crazy last 48 hours with a lot of stuff going on in terms of illness and injury,” Garland said.
“Once again our guys found a way to fill those gaps, step up, fill holes and wrestle well. I’m really proud of this team tonight.
I think we wrestled great from top to bottom.”
That resilience - plugging holes, adjusting on the fly, and still wrestling at a high level - is what separates good teams from great ones. And with a rivalry showdown against Virginia Tech looming next week, this win couldn’t have come at a better time. Momentum matters in wrestling, and Virginia just picked up a healthy dose of it.
Next up, the Cavaliers return home to host Virginia Tech at John Paul Jones Arena. That dual is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m., and if recent history is any indication, it’s going to be a must-watch.