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BLACKSBURG - The fifth-ranked Hokies picked up a 32-11 victory over George Mason to open 2016 Sunday, returning to competition after a month off.

Using a new starting lineup, Tech grapplers picked up wins in seven weight classes, including four bonus victories and two major decisions. Junior Joey Dance opened the day with a 17-1 technical fall victory at 125 pounds. Redshirt freshman Solomon Chishko earned his first major decision of the year with a 10-2 win at 141 pounds in Tech’s second win of the first half.

Trailing 11-9, freshman David McFadden won a 10-3 decision to give the Hokies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Redshirt sophomore Zach Epperly recorded his first win since the season opener against Iowa State, a fall in 3:26. At 184 pounds, Zack Zavatsky continued the momentum from his third place finish at CKLV to a 17-2 tech fall win. Jared Haught earned the fourth and final bonus victory for Tech, an 18-1 technical fall in 5:00. To close the day, redshirt junior Ty Walz earned his 11^th victory of the year, an 18-7 major decision, and the Hokies went undefeated in the second half of action.

Tech will be back in action on Friday, January 8, when they head to Hampton for the 2016 Virginia Duals.

Coach Dresser Sounds Off
“Today was hopefully about building. We got back on the horse after a month away from competition. We were a bit sluggish but we have a lot to build on. We need to progress individually starting tomorrow to get ready for Virginia Duals on Friday and Saturday.”

#HokieHits
· Four Hokies are undefeated in dual meets in 2015-16: Joey Dance (4-0), Solomon Chishko (4-0), David McFadden (4-0), and Ty Walz (4-0)
· Walz has started his redshirt junior season 11-0, his best start in three season, including winning the program’s first title at Cliff Keen Las Vegas
· Dance picked up his team-best sixth major decision or better this year without surrendering a loss of the same kind
· The Hokies move to 4-1 this season, with their only loss coming to top-ranked Penn State (21-15). Tech’s four victories have come by a margin of 107-43.

Results
Joey Dance (Virginia Tech) over Ibrahim Banduka (George Mason) (TF 17-1 5:02)
Vince Rodriguez (George Mason) over Ryan Haskett (Virginia Tech) (MD 11-3)
Solomon Chishko (Virginia Tech) over Tejon Anthony (George Mason) (MD 10-2)
Konbeh Koroma (George Mason) over Chad Saunders (Virginia Tech) (Dec 6-4)
Gregory Flournoy (George Mason) over Jameson Spengler (Virginia Tech) (MD 10-2)
David McFadden (Virginia Tech) over Blake Roulo (George Mason) (Dec 10-3)
Zach Epperly (Virginia Tech) over Daniel Mika (George Mason) (Fall 3:26)
Zachary Zavatsky (Virginia Tech) over Luke Ludke (George Mason) (TF 17-2 4:04)
Jared Haught (Virginia Tech) over Cameron Houston (George Mason) (TF 18-1 5:00)
Ty Walz (Virginia Tech) over Gary Miltenberger (George Mason) (MD 18-7)

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