November 2, 2004

TEMPE, Ariz. - Virginia Tech heavyweight wrestler Mike Faust got his 2004-05 season off to a great start this past weekend, winning the 120 kg class at the 2004 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open at Wells Fargo Arena. Wrestling for the Sunkist Club, Faust a junior transfer from the University of Pennsylvania, won four matches before earning a medical default to win the title.

In the first round, Faust, from Baltimore, Md., earned a technical fall, 6-0 and 6-0, over Bryan Toth. He then took a pair of decisions over Mark Knauer and Cain Velasquez to reach the finals. There, he decisioned Michael Irvins, 4-0 and 2-2 to earn the title.

Tech was also represented by its coaching staff as volunteer assistant coach Lee Fullhart won his 84 kg weight class. Fullhart, wrestling for the Gator WC, started the tournament with technical falls over Jason Connie and David Welch before beating Austen Palmer to reach the semifinals. There, he dispatched of Greg Jones, a two-time national champion at West Virginia University who is a rising senior, 2-0 and 4-2, to reach the title match. He beat Clint Wattenberg, 2-1, 2-2 and 2-1 to take the title.

Nik Fekete, who is also an Olympic-level athlete living and training in Blacksburg, took third place in the 96 kg class. Fekete is training with the Hokie Wrestling Club, but represented Sunkist WC at this tournament. He defeated Matt Greenberg, 6-0 and 3-0 in the third-place match.

The Tech wrestling team opens its 2004-05 season on Nov. 13, hosting VMI, James Madison and Anderson College in a quad meet at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies will open against the Keydets at noon in Coach Tom Brands' debut as Tech's head coach.

84 kg/185 lbs.
Finals
Lee Fullhart (Gator WC) dec. Clint Wattenberg (NYAC), 2-1; 2-2; 2-1
Semifinals
Lee Fullhart (Gator WC) dec. Greg Jones (Sunkist), 2-0; 4-2
Quarterfinals
Lee Fullhart (Gator WC) dec. Austen Palmer (DSWC), 2-0; 6-2
First Round
Lee Fullhart (Gator WC) tech fall. David Welch (Navy), 7-0; 7-0
Second Round
Lee Fullhart (Gator WC) tech fall Jason Connie (UNA), 6-0; 6-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
3rd Place Match
Nik Fekete (Sunkist) dec. Matt Greenberg (NYAC), 6-0; 3-0
Semifinals
Dawid Rechul (NYAC) dec. Nik Fekete (Sunkist), 3-7; 2-1; 4-1
Consolation semis
Nik Fekete (Sunkist) dec. Mario Botelho (Sunkist), 4-0; 5-0
Quarterfinals
Nik Fekete (Sunkist) dec. Malcolm Havens (Cowboy WC), 6-0; 2-0
First Round
Nik Fekete (Sunkist) tech fall Brian Cobbin (Merdenaries), 4-0; 6-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Finals
Mike Faust (Sunkist) dec. Michael Irvins (UNA), 4-0; 2-2
Semifinals
Mike Faust (Sunkist) dec. Cain Velasquez (Sunkist), 0-3; 1-1; 1-1
Quarterfinals
Mike Faust (Sunkist) dec. Mark Knauer (Cyclone), 4-1; 4-0
First Round
Mike Faust (Sunkist) tech fall Bryan Toth (UNA), 6-0; 6-0