Joey Dance, a name synonymous with wrestling excellence, has carved a remarkable path in the sport. His dedication and skill have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. Here's a look at some key moments in his wrestling history.
ACC Wrestler of the Week
Virginia Tech sophomore Joey Dance was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week. This honor came after his outstanding performance at the prestigious Midlands Championships in Evanston, Illinois.
Dance, representing Christiansburg, Virginia, secured the individual title at 125 pounds. He achieved this by winning five consecutive matches, marking the first title for a Virginia Tech wrestler since 2012.
Midlands Championships Victory
In the semifinals, Dance showcased his prowess by defeating 14th-ranked Josh Rodriguez of San Diego State with a score of 7-1.
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These five wins significantly boosted his overall record for the year to 16-2. They also contributed to Virginia Tech's impressive fifth-place finish in the Midlands.
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Following his success, Dance was ranked fourth nationally at 125 pounds by InterMat.
ACC Dual Meet Title
The eighth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team, with Dance as a key member, triumphed over undefeated North Carolina State to secure its second consecutive ACC Dual Meet title.
Dance, ranked No. 3, initiated the scoring for the Hokies with a decisive 7-1 victory over redshirt freshman No.
Key Match Results
Here are some notable match results that highlight Joey Dance's contributions and the team's overall performance:
- 125: No. 3 Joey Dance dec. No.
- 141: No. 3 Kevin Jack dec. No.
- 149: Sal Mastriani dec. No.
- 157: No. 5 Tommy Gantt dec. No.
- 165: No. 6 Max Rohskopf tech No.
- 174: No. 3 Zach Epperly dec. No.
- 184: No. 6 Zack Zavatsky dec. No.
- 197: No. 7 Jared Haught dec. No.
- HWT: No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski dec. No.
Additional Highlights
- Dennis Gustafson secured a major decision with a 13-5 victory over Jamal Morris.
- Jared Haught clinched the dual meet for the Hokies at the 197-weight class with a 3-2 decision over No.
The intense matchup between No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski and No. concluded with Gwiazdowski winning 3-2.
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Recognition Among Peers
Dance's selection for ACC Wrestler of the Week placed him ahead of other accomplished ACC wrestlers, including Pitt’s Max Thomusseit, Duke’s Connor Hartmann, and North Carolina’s Joey Ward.
He followed redshirt freshman Zach Epperly, who had been honored on Dec. 23, becoming the second consecutive Tech wrestler to receive this recognition.
Thomusseit had an impressive run at the Southern Scuffle, winning four straight matches at 184 pounds, including victories over 15th-ranked Ben Stroh of Wyoming and third-ranked Nathaniel Brown of Lehigh.
Hartmann finished second at the Southern Scuffle, winning three of four matches at 197 pounds and defeating 15th-ranked Eliott Riddick of Lehigh in the semifinals.
Ward won five of seven matches at 141 pounds at the Southern Scuffle, losing only to nationally-ranked opponents.
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