Newsletter 3.8: Finding a Way Home
Finding a Way Forward and a Way Home
There are weekends that test you on the mat.
And then there are weekends that test everything else.
Our trip to Virginia to face Virginia Tech and Virginia ended up being both.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this weekend would be shaped not only by two strong opponents, but also by a massive winter storm bearing down on much of the country. Flights were being cancelled at historic levels, roads were closing, and travel plans across the East Coast were unraveling in real time. We knew we would have to stay flexible, composed, and focused if we were going to handle what was coming.
That mindset showed up immediately.
Virginia Tech Recap
We opened the weekend in Blacksburg against a very good Virginia Tech team (#8 national ranking) and once again wrestled quite well, but couldn’t put all the pieces together to pull off the upset. The dual came down to the final match. Down 16-14 with a win within reach, we were right there, but we were unable to close it out and ultimately fell 22-14.
There were several performances that stood out. Daniel Cardenas did what he has done all season, earning bonus points over the No. 16 ranked wrestler in the country. Abraham Wojcikiewicz, ranked No. 33, picked up an upset over No. 31 Bullock, continuing a strong stretch of wrestling. Angelo Posada delivered one of the most impressive wins of the night, defeating No. 15 Sonny Sasso by major decision. Jack Consiglio added a gritty win that reflected his toughness and growth.
The result stung, especially given how close we were, but the takeaway was clear. We are competing at a high level and continuing to close the gap against elite teams.
Wrestling the Storm
As the weekend unfolded, the weather situation became more serious. Our original plan was to wrestle Virginia on Saturday and fly home Sunday morning. By Thursday, it was becoming clear that the chances of getting out on Sunday were close to zero.
So we pivoted.
The Virginia dual was moved up to 1:00 pm Saturday, and thanks to an incredible effort from Pat Brucki, along with Ethan Marchetti from Anthony Travel, we were able to secure a single flight out of Dulles for our entire group at 7:45 pm Saturday night, with the storm scheduled to arrive around 7:00.
That adjustment turned Saturday into one of the most demanding days our team has faced this season.
One Long Saturday and the UVA Dual
We left Blacksburg at 7:00 am after a late dual the night before and drove more than two hours to Charlottesville. The guys managed their weight in less than ideal circumstances with a cold gym and limited mat space. But each guy did their job, weighed in at 11, and then went out and took care of business at 1:00.
No. 22 Stanford 31, Virginia 9
We set the tone early. At 165, EJ Parco opened the dual with an 8-3 decision over Nick Sanko. EJ is figuring things out at 165 and is due for a “breakthrough” performance. After Virginia picked up a win at 174, our momentum began to build.
At 184, Abraham Wojcikiewicz controlled the match and earned a 9-1 major decision. At 197, Angelo Posada ignited the lineup with a first period fall over Steven Burrell Jr. at 2:13.
After a loss at heavyweight, we responded with poise and consistency. Nico Provo earned a composed 5-2 win at 125. Tyler Knox followed with a strong 9-4 decision at 133. At 141, Jack Consiglio delivered another gritty performance, winning by major decision 9-1. Aden Valencia stayed steady at 149 with a 6-2 decision.
At 157, Daniel Cardenas closed the dual in emphatic fashion, scoring a 21-6 technical fall over No. 33 Colton Washleski in seven minutes.
By the final whistle, the result was clear. Stanford 31, Virginia 9. A good victory after two painful loses (NC State and Va Tech)
Straight to the Vans
There was no time to linger.
As soon as the dual ended, the team jumped back into the vans and began the two plus hour drive to Dulles. Everyone knew what was at stake. We needed to make it to this flight and the plane needed to take off or we could be stuck for days.
When the plane finally lifted off Saturday night, the relief was real.
After seeing the travel conditions unfold across Virginia and much of the country on Sunday, it became clear how fortunate that timing was. Flights were cancelled in massive numbers. Roads were impassable. What initially felt like disruption turned out to be a major blessing in disguise.
Back to Work
We got home safely and earlier than expected. We were able to recover, reset, and get right back to work as we prepare for Cal Poly this weekend.
More than anything, this trip revealed something important about our team. We handled adversity. We stayed composed. We adapted. And we continued to compete at a high level even when circumstances were far from ideal.
That matters.
Box Scores at the end of the newsletter
Cal Poly Next/Alumni Social
Friday, 1/30, at 6:00pm we wrestle Cal Poly in Burnham for a bit of a “throw back” match. Alumni/Supporter social will follow directly after in the Home of Champions (Arrillaga Family Sports Center).
Coach Horpel has been my personal historian on all things Stanford wrestling and offered me this (I didn’t ask his permission because we are moving at warp speed, but I don’t think he will mind):
“* Back in the day, there was only one “Pavilion” on the Stanford campus. It was built in 1929 and all indoor Stanford sports used this one arena for competition. When UCLA was the best basketball team in the country, coached by legend John Wooden, they used to play in our little pavilion (back then it had full-time built-in bleachers on two sides).
* When Maples Pavilion was completed in 1969, basketball moved over there and it was a basketball-only gym. Gymnastics and wrestling used what was then called the “Old Pavilion” for both practice and competition (the two wrestling mats and gymnastics equipment remained down all the time…no need to set anything up. This is how it was my freshman and sophomore years at Stanford.
* From 1962-1980, Cal Poly wrestling was unbeaten against all California teams. They were 159-0. Finally, a tough San Jose State team beat them in 1981 and ended their streak.
* The Old Pavilion was refurbished and renamed “Burnham Pavilion” in 1989 when Stanford secured a large gift from Malin Burnham (BS Industrial Engineering, ’49). Burnham grew up in San Diego and competed on Stanford’s sailing team. He later became a world class sailor as well as a very successful businessman.
Burnham Pavilion has a long history and wrestling was a big part of it. Good luck this weekend!”
NCAA Information
Save the Date! Our Stanford Wrestling NCAA social will take place between sessions on Saturday March 21st from 2:00-4:30pm at the Clevelander Bar. More details to follow.
NCAA T-shirts: Click Here *Order by Feb. 9th. Packages will be shipped directly to customers.
No. 12 Virginia Tech 22, No. 22 Stanford 14
125: #3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) dec. #12 Nico Provo (STAN), 6-2
133: Aaron Seidel (VT) maj. dec. #7 Tyler Knox (STAN), 13-0
141: #18 Jack Consiglio (STAN) dec. #22 Tom Crook (VT), 6-5
149: #10 Collin Gaj (VT) dec. #9 Aden Valencia (STAN), 2-1
157: #10 Daniel Cardenas (STAN) maj. dec. #16 Ethen Miller (VT), 11-2
165: #14 Ryan Burton (VT) dec. EJ Parco (STAN), 8-2
174: #33 Sergio Desiante (VT) dec. Collin Guffey (STAN), 8-6
184: #33 Abraham Wojcikiewicz (STAN) dec. #31 Jaden Bullock (VT), 6-4
197: #17 Angelo Posada (STAN) maj. dec. #15 Sonny Sasso (VT), 13-4
285: #16 Jimmyv Mullen (VT) fall Luke Duthie (STAN), F2:58
No. 22 Stanford 31, Virginia 9
165: EJ Parco (STAN) dec. Nick Sanko (UVA), 8-3
174: #27 Nick Hamilton (UVA) dec. Collin Guffey (STAN), 7-3
184: #33 Abraham Wojcikiewicz (STAN) maj. dec. Griffin Gammell (UVA), 9-1
197: #17 Angelo Posada (STAN) fall Steven Burrell Jr. (UVA), F2:13
285: Brenan Morgan (UVA) fall Luke Duthie (STAN), F1:42
125: #12 Nico Provo (STAN) dec. #23 Keyveon Roller (UVA), 5-2
133: #7 Tyler Knox (STAN) dec. #33 Marlon Yarbrough (UVA), 9-4
141: #18 Jack Consiglio (STAN) maj. dec. Gable Porter (UVA), 9-1
149: #9 Aden Valencia (STAN) dec. Wynton Denkins (UVA), 6-2
157: #10 Daniel Cardenas (STAN) tech. fall #33 Colton Washleski (UVA), 21-6 (7:00)
