U.Va., Virginia Tech reach title bout; Poquoson goes on consolation run

Semifinal victories set up Cavs, Hokies for championship contention in Duals

For just the second time in the Virginia Duals’ 39-year history, the tournament will feature two instate Division I programs in its primary championship match.

Unseeded Virginia upended top-seeded Arizona State 23-16 Saturday afternoon to join second-seeded Virginia Tech in Saturday’s night final. Cavaliers 197pounder Jay Aiello clinched the victory by pinning Austyn Harris in 3:43, giving U.Va. an insurmountable 23-13 advantage.

Also winning for U.Va. were Jack Mueller (125), Louie Hayes (133), Sam Krivus (141) and Jack Keating (157).

Virginia Tech rolled past thirdseeded Old Dominion 31-9 in the other semifinal, getting bonus points in four of the eight bouts the Hokies won. ODU then fell 27-14 to Oklahoma, sending the Monarchs to the fifth-place match against Chattanooga.

Apprentice School, as expected, fell 43-3 to top-seeded Kutztown in a American Division semifinal, and the Builders then lost 26-24 to Liberty before wrestling Alderson Broaddus for fifth place.

In high school competition, New Kent beat traditional power Camden Catholic (N.J.) 37-27 to stay alive in the National Division consolation bracket. The Trojans then took the lead over Erie Cathedral Prep, but the Pennsylvania squad bounced back with victories at the heavier weights to win 39-28 and end New Kent’s stay in the tournament at 2-2.

The three Bay Rivers District teams in the Black & Blue Division, all of which lost in Friday night’s first round, all advanced through their first consolation round. But only Poquoson made an extended stay.

Smithfield tied Matoaca 39-39 but advanced on criteria, Poquoson beat Orange 39-29, and York handled Spotsylvania 40-33.

The Islanders then defeated Liberty of Bealeton 44-33, but the Packers fell 41-30 to Powhatan, while York lost 37-19 to Skyline.

Poquoson then overcame Skyline 36-31 to advance to a night match against Cox, which reached the main semifinals.

A full recap of the tournament will be at dailypress.com/sports and in Monday’s print edition.