Jack Brizendine

TechSideline.com • 18th November 2024

No. 7 Virginia Tech Wrestling Clocks No. 8 Missouri In Home Opener

As the saying goes: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
While the mantra worked against its original author Mike Tyson on Friday night, it was a common theme for No. 7 Virginia Tech in its dominant 23-10 home-opening win over No. 8 Missouri. The Hokies (2-0) took seven of 10 bouts versus the Tigers (1-1), overwhelming their opponents with a myriad of quick and powerful shots off the first whistle.
Tech was led by a pair of major decisions from No. 1 Caleb Henson (149) and...

TechSideline.com • 22nd April 2024

Virginia Tech Wrestling Names Zach Tanelli Associate Head Coach

Virginia Tech wrestling named Zach Tanelli as an associate head coach on Monday. He’ll replace departing coach Cody Brewer, who joined Princeton’s program this offseason.

“We could not be more excited to have Zach and his family join the Virginia Tech wrestling family,” Hokies head coach Tony Robie said in the program’s release. “You can’t overstate how great of a job Zach did building a winning culture at Columbia. Getting another coach on staff that has the experience and skill set to excel i

TechSideline.com • 15th April 2024

Connor McGonagle Commits To Virginia Tech Wrestling

Tony Robie and Virginia Tech wrestling earned their second commitment of the offseason on Monday in Lehigh’s Connor McGonagle.

He joins Columbia’s Lennox Wolak as the second transfer portal addition in Blacksburg. Lennox replaces Hokies national champion Mekhi Lewis at 174 pounds.

McGonagle, a Danville, N.H., native, adds another talented lightweight to Tech’s wrestling room and is expected to start at 133 next season.

A three-time NCAA qualifier, McGonagle began his career at 141 before drop

TechSideline.com • 9th April 2024

Caleb Henson's Rise To A National Title: ‘I’m Going To Put The Nation On Notice’

The day is November 7, 2022. Woodland High School’s Adrian Tramutola’s phone lights up with a text from one of his former wrestlers.

It’s Caleb Henson. The Virginia Tech freshman just wrapped up a dominant showing at the Southeast Open, earning a fall and technical fall in his 5-0 outing a week ahead of the regular season.

His message is a simple, yet powerful one: “On Friday, I’m going to put the nation on notice.”

Four days later, he notched his first career dual victory over Ohio State’s t

TechSideline.com • 24th March 2024

Caleb Henson Wins Title, Hokies Wrestling Finishes Seventh At NCAAs

Caleb Henson won Virginia Tech wrestling’s second-ever national title on Saturday night as the Hokies finished seventh at the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City. Tech recorded a cumulative team score of 64 points — its highest point-total since 2016 and third straight top-10 finish.

In addition to Henson, Mekhi Lewis, TJ Stewart and Bryce Andonian achieved All-American status at the tournament. Lewis became the program’s first four-time All-American over the weekend.

Although the Hokies fell just

TechSideline.com • 23rd March 2024

Caleb Henson Wins Virginia Tech Wrestling's Second-Ever National Championship

Caleb Henson won Virginia Tech wrestling’s second individual national championship on Saturday night, defeating Michigan’s No. 6 seed Austin Gomez 15-7 in the 149-pound title match. The win comes five years to the day after Mekhi Lewis won the program’s first national title at 165 pounds.

After an initial takedown from Gomez, Henson countered with two takedowns and six back points to lead 13-4 at the end of the first period. He staved off the former All-American over the final two periods, only

TechSideline.com • 20th March 2024

Virginia Tech Wrestling Sends 10 To Kansas City On Thursday

Virginia Tech wrestling travels to Kansas City on Thursday for the NCAA Championships. The Hokies are sending a full 10-man lineup to the tournament for the second straight year and the third time in program history. They are only one of three programs to send 10 wrestlers in back-to-back years, joining Missouri and Oklahoma State.

Mekhi Lewis leads the way as the No. 1 seed at 174, one of Tech’s three wrestlers seeded in the top seven. Caleb Henson is the No. 4 seed at 149 and TJ Stewart lande

TechSideline.com • 11th March 2024

Lewis, Stewart Earn Titles, Virginia Tech Wrestling Places Second At ACCs

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Virginia Tech finished as the runner-up at the ACC Tournament for the fourth straight year on Sunday, but saw Mekhi Lewis and TJ Stewart bring home individual titles. Tech finished second with 86.5 points behind NC State, who finished with 116.

The Hokies had seven wrestlers earn automatic qualifier bids for the NCAA Tournament, with eight wrestlers making the podium at their respective weights.

Lewis (174) won his fourth ACC title by dominating NC State’s Alex Faison (5-1)

TechSideline.com • 9th March 2024

No. 11 Virginia Tech Is Taking It One Game At A Time, For Better Or Worse

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In March, teams have to take it one game at a time. Matchups shuffle and seasons can end in a matter of seconds. For Kenny Brooks and Virginia Tech, internalizing that mentality isn’t just an option — it’s a must.

“Games are games,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks told reporters after the Hokies’ 82-53 ACC Tournament semifinal loss to Notre Dame. “It counts as one loss. … We’ll look at it. We’ve got 24 wins and seven losses, and we’ll regroup and get ready for the NCAA Tournamen