CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Bolstered by a huge upset from Chris Diaz over the No. 4 wrestler in the country at his weight class, the Virginia Tech wrestling team blanked Chattanooga, 37-0, Sunday afternoon at Maclellan Gym. Tech also routed Anderson to go 2-0 on the day.

After winning the first match easily, the Hokies were right back on the mat against the host Mocs, a team they had beaten just once in nine previous contests. The highlight of match came at 141 pounds where Diaz beat fourth-ranked Cody Cleveland, 8-6. Cleveland was an All-American last year for the Mocs.

Jarrod Garnett picked up his second major decision of the day, beating Paul Garza 11-3. Garnett is now 12-0 as a true freshman at 125 pounds. Tommy Spellman picked up a pin at 184 pounds to also pick up bonus points for the Hokies. Pete Yates, Jesse Dong, Matt Epperly, Anthony Trongone, D.J. Bruce and David Marone each picked up decisions.

In the opener, Dong and Marone each picked up pins as the Hokies rolled to a 42-3 win over Anderson. Garnett, Diaz and Epperly each picked up major decisions as the Hokies won seven of eight matches wrestled. Trongone and Spellman each picked up wins via forfeit while Matt Rosen and Tim Miller each earning a decision.

With the sweep, the young Hokies improve to 3-0. Several members of the squad will travel to Las Vegas next weekend to participate in the tough Las Vegas Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The next dual meet will come on Jan. 3, 2009 when the Hokies take on Brown, Central Oklahoma and Cal Poly in Dallas, Texas, as part of the Lone Star Duals.

Virginia Tech (2-0) 42, Anderson (1-2) 3

125: Jarrod Garnett (VT) maj. dec. C.J. Hamilton, 16-8
133: Chris Francis (AU) dec. Brock LiVorio, 7-6
141: Chris Diaz (VT) maj. dec. Ron Lofton, 13-1
149: Matt Rosen (VT) dec. Nick DiCarlo, 10-7
157: Jesse Dong (VT) fall Josh Delmonagne, 2:22
165: Matt Epperly (VT) maj. dec. Trevor Sanford, 13-1
174: Anthony Trongone (VT) wins by forfeit
184: Tommy Spellman (VT) wins by forfeit
197: Tim Miller (VT) dec. Zack Anderson, 5-3
285: David Marone (VT) fall Jonah Adams, 4:03

Virginia Tech (3-0) 37, Chattanooga (3-5) 0

125: Jarrod Garnett (VT) maj. dec. Paul Garza (C), 11-3
133: Jared Jones (VT) wins by forfeit
141: Chris Diaz (VT) dec. #4 Cody Cleveland (C), 8-6
149: Pete Yates (VT) dec. Daniel Waddell (C), 8-1
157: Jesse Dong (VT) dec. Joey Knox (C), 7-4
165: Matt Epperly (VT) dec. Brandon Wright (C), 3-2
174: Anthony Trongone (VT) dec. Jason McCroskey (C), 3-2
184: Tommy Spellman (VT) fall Matthew McKee (C), 5:22
197: D.J. Bruce (VT) dec. Ethan Winel (C), 10-3
285: David Marone (VT) dec. Cody Sliger (C), 4-3