August 1, 2006

FARGO, N.D. - Thousands of wrestlers from all over the country took over the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University last week for the 2006 USA Wrestling Cadet & Junior Nationals. Two future Hokies earned All-America status in one of their final events before they step on campus later this month.

Eric Decker placed third at 171 pounds while Matt Epperly placed sixth at 160 pounds, both earning All-America honors. Both wrestlers were competing in the Junior Freestyle Division of the event.

Decker, from Wells Bridge, N.Y., defeated Colby Covington of Oregon, 7-2, 0-2, 8-0 in the third-place match.

Epperly, from Christiansburg, fell to Alex Caruso of New Jersey, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 in a tightly contested fifth-place match.

Virginia Tech, under new head coach Kevin Dresser, will open its 2006-07 season on Nov. 4, hosting the Hokie Classic. Liberty, James Madison, Gardner-Webb and Anderson College are scheduled to participate in the event, each wrestling several dual matches.