SALEM, Va. – The West Virginia University wresting team captured four individual titles to conclude its season opener at the 2024 Southeast Open on Saturday.

Two time All-American and fifth-year senior Peyton Hall (165) and sophomore All-American Ty Watters (149) combined for a 9-0 record and two titles to lead the way for West Virginia.

Watters rattled off back-to-back pins in the first two rounds, before claiming a 5-2 decision over North Dakota State's Gavin Drexler in the semifinals and a 4-1 sudden victory over No. 7 Lachlan Mcneil of North Carolina to seal the championship. Hall followed up by outlasting Virginia Tech's Mac Church to pick up a 1-0 decision in the finals of his respective bracket after recording consecutive 8-1 decisions over RoundtreeNess' Dominic Bambinelli and North Carolina's Nicholas Fea.

Later in the day, redshirt sophomore Ian Bush (184) completed a 4-0 run to the Mountaineers' third title. Bush knocked off No. 19 Gavin Kane of North Carolina, prior to closing the deal with a 12-0 major decision over North Dakota State's Aidan Brenot. Redshirt freshman Sasha Gavronsky (157) added a 4-2 decision over Virginia Tech's Matt Henrich to secure the crown at 157 pounds within the freshman/sophomore division. 

Eight more Mountaineers joined Hall, Watters, Bush and Gavronsky in the top six of their respective weight classes. Senior Jett Strickenberger (125) and freshman Hoke Hogan (184 – freshman/sophomore division) finished runners-up, redshirt junior Jace Schafer (125) claimed third, fifth-year senior Michael Wolfgram (HWT) took fourth, redshirt senior Dennis Robin (184) and freshman Mason Kernan (133 – freshman/sophomore division) earned fifth, and freshmen Rune Lawrence (197) and Anthony Clem (133 – freshman/sophomore division ) grabbed sixth.

Of note, Hogan, Kernan, Lawrence, Clem, fifth-year senior Tommy Maddox (133), redshirt junior Elijah Hunter (HWT), junior Eric Thompson (174), and freshman TJ Langley (157 – freshman/sophomore division) all made their first appearances on the mat for West Virginia.

Up next, WVU opens its home slate at the WVU Coliseum against Glenville State on Wednesday, Nov. 6. First match is set to start at 7 p.m. ET.
 
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