March 16, 2001

IOWA CITY, Iowa - For the second year in a row, the Virginia Tech wrestling team has produced an All-American, this year thanks to Sean Gray. Gray, along with Chris Martin and Scott Justus are still alive after Friday morning's session at the 71st annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, being held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Senior Eric Hall was eliminated for the Championships after losing Friday morning.

The 141-pound quarterfinal match between Gray and Mike Maney of Lock Haven was a rematch from the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) finals. Gray defeated Maney, 6-3, on March 4 in Blacksburg. This time, the junior from Flemington, N.J., didn't let Maney score in posting a 6-0 shutout to advance to the semifinals. He got a takedown in the first and an escape and a takedown in the second to take a 5-0 lead heading into the third period. Gray added a point for riding time to earn the 6-0 decision.

Gray will now face top-seeded Doug Schwab of Iowa, who had to come from behind in the third period for his victory, in Friday night's semifinals. Gray wrestled Schwab at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Jan. 29. He held a 5-1 lead on Schwab, but ran out of gas late, losing 12-7. Win or lose, Gray is guaranteed of All-America honors. He finished seventh last year at the NCAAs, earning All-America honors, thus making him the first Virginia Tech wrestler ever to ever earn All-America honors twice in his career.

At 165 pounds, seventh-seeded Martin got off to a good start against second-seeded Joe Heskett of Iowa State, but struggled late as Heskett took a 13-2 major decision. Martin started the first period with a takedown, but Heskett quickly escaped and then got a takedown of his own and three near-fall points to take a 6-2 lead heading into the second period. Heskett started the second period on bottom and got a reversal and three back points for an 11-2 lead. He would get a takedown with less than 10 seconds left to earn the 13-2 win. Up next for Martin in the consolation round is the winner of the Nick Nemeth (Kent State) and third-seeded Steve Blackford (Arizona State) match. The senior from Norfolk, Va., will wrestle Friday night and must win to be guaranteed a spot in the top eight, thus earning All-America honors.

At 174 pounds, seventh-seeded Hall wrapped up his Tech career after falling to unseeded Jim Stanec of Cornell, 13-7. Hall started off with a takedown, but trailed 8-4 after two periods thanks to a near fall by Stanec. Stanec stretched the lead to five and earned the point for riding time to earn the victory. Hall, a four-time NCAA qualifier, finishes his Tech career with a 112-39 career record. His 112 victories are the second most in school history.

At 184 pounds, Justus had a chance early to pin fourth-seeded Victor Sveda of Indiana, but couldn't stick him, and eventually fell 13-8. Justus got a quick takedown and put Sveda right on his back for three near fall points. Sveda squirmed out of the situation and Justus was called for locked hands right before Sveda got a reversal, ending the first period with Justus leading 5-3. Justus chose neutral to start the second and Sveda took him down to tie it at five. Justus escaped and got another takedown for a three-point lead, but Sveda reversed him to make it an 8-7 lead for Justus heading into the final period. Sveda started the third period on the bottom and quickly reversed Justus and later got three back points and riding time for the 13-8 win.

Up next for the sophomore from Grundy, Va., is the winner of Dan Stine (Pitt) and Kyle Hanson (Nortern Iowa) in the consolation round. Justus will wrestle Friday night and must win to be guaranteed a spot in the top eight, thus earning All-America honors.

After the first day of competition, the Hokies stood in a tie for 17th place with Boise State and Northern Iowa with 12 team points. Tech was just two points out of 12th place heading into the second day of action.

The three remaining wrestlers will continue to wrestle on Saturday in Session Four, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., Central Time.