UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Five Virginia Tech wrestlers competed in the Nittany Lion Open Sunday on the campus of Penn State, highlighted by by Jarrod Garnett winning the title at 125 pounds and freshman Brian Stephens taking second at 149 pounds. Garnett returned to the mat for the first time since injuring his arm on the first day of the season and won five matches, including a pin of the sixth-ranked and returning NCAA qualifier Brad Pataky of Penn State in the finals.

Below are the results from the five who competed:

125: #9 Jarrod Garnett (5-0; CHAMPION)
First Round: Bye
Second Round: defeated Brenan Lyon (Michigan State), Fall (1:59)
Third Round: defeated Dave Fogle (Pitt-Johnstown), MD 11-2
Quarterfinals: defeated Mark Rappo (Penn), 8-6
Semifinals: defeated Ross Gittomer (Virginia), 3-2
Finals: defeated #6 Brad Pataky (Penn State), Fall (4:49)

141: Nick Murray (4-2)
First Round: defeated Nick LaFevre (The Citadel), 4-2
Second Round: defeated Ronald Butler (Cleveland State), TF 15-0
Quarterfinals: lost to Zack Kemmerer (Penn), 7-1
Consolations: defeated Josh Harper (Michigan State), TF 19-2
Consolations: defeated Dustin Haislip (Navy), 14-7
Consolations: lost to Andrew Alton (NLWC), 16-10

149: Matt Rosen (2-2; UNATTACHED)
First Round: defeated Jarret Freeman (Penn State), Fall (1:14)
Second Round: defeated Peter Crawford (Liberty), Fall (2:03)
Third Round: lost to Craig Eifert (Hicks Scrappin), 5-4
Consolations: lost to Joseph McAuley (Bloomsburg), 7-3

149: Brian Stephens (0-0; UNATTACHED; SECOND PLACE)
First Round: defeated Derek Royster (The Citadel), 8-7
Second Round: defeated Domenic Derobertis (Maryland), Fall (0:57)
Third Round: defeated Justin Koren (Lehigh), 8-5
Quarterfinals: defeated Donald Vinson (Binhamton), 3-2
Semifinals: defeated Joseph Napoli (Lehigh), 3-2
Finals: lost to #6 Frank Molinaro (Penn State), 6-0

157: Taylor Knapp (2-2)
First Round: defeated Justin Krop (Liberty), Fall (4:12)
Second Round: lost to Cyler Sanderson (Penn State), Fall (1:32)
Consolations: defeated Aaron Keeton (George Mason), 7-5
Consolations: lost to Corey Lear (Bucknell), Fall (2:12)

The Hokies will return to the mats on Jan. 4, 2010 as a team, hosting Appalachian State at Cassell Coliseum. Several members of the team are also expected to compete in the Southern Scuffle and the Midlands Tournament in late December.