Virginia Tech wrestling advanced eight athletes to the second day of the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships, with No. 2 Eddie Ventresca and No. 4 Aaron Seidel moving forward in their respective winner brackets on March 19. Six other Hokies continue to compete in the consolation bracket as they aim for All-American honors. The tournament resumes Friday, March 20 at noon Eastern Time, with coverage available on ESPNU and ESPN+.
The progress of Ventresca and Seidel is significant for Virginia Tech’s team performance at the national level. Both wrestlers are positioned to contend for top placements, while their teammates seek to extend their runs through the consolation rounds.
At 125 pounds, Ventresca secured two victories to begin his third NCAA Championship appearance. He first defeated Desmond Pleasant of Drexel by an 8-6 decision and then overcame Spencer Moore of Illinois with a decisive early sequence that led to a 5-2 win. This result puts Ventresca into Friday morning’s quarterfinals as he seeks his third All-American finish.
True freshman Seidel made an impact at 133 pounds by earning two technical falls in his first NCAA appearance. He won against Luke Willochell of Wyoming with a score of 17-2 in just three minutes, followed by a dominant performance over Julian Farber of Northern Iowa, winning 22-4 in under five minutes. Seidel will compete for All-American status on Friday morning.
Other Hokies remaining in contention include Collin Gaj (149 pounds), Ethen Miller (157), Sergio Desiante (174), Jaden Bullock (184), Sonny Sasso (197), and Jimmy Mullen (285). Each faced tough opponents but managed key wins or strong performances that keep them active in the tournament’s consolation rounds.
The results from both sessions highlight Virginia Tech’s depth across multiple weight classes as they continue their pursuit of podium finishes at this year’s championship.
