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Wins From Titus, Hillegas Push WVU to 22-16 Victory Over Chattanooga

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The lightweights came through again for the Mountaineers.

For the third dual meet in a row, West Virginia used key victories from its lightweight wrestlers to grind out a 22-16 victory over Chattanooga on Friday night, giving the No. 24 ranked Mountaineers their fourth consecutive victory.

Four straight wins ties West Virginia’s longest streak under head coach Tim Flynn, matching the mark set last year.

The Mountaineers (7-1) also set their best record through eight matches since 1990, when West Virginia also posted seven victories en route to finishing the season at 14-1, using two seven-match win streaks. This time around, it all rested on the shoulders of Jordan Titus and Sam Hillegas.

With West Virginia and Chattanooga tied 16-16, Titus, who was fresh off a triumph over No. 1 ranked Cole Matthews of Pittsburgh just five days ago, scored a 6-2 decision over Dayne Dalrymple at 141 pounds to put the Mountaineers ahead by three points.

Hillegas was then able to seal the win for West Virginia. The No. 24 ranked wrestler at 149 pounds took down Grant Lundy 12-10 to give the Mountaineers the victory.

The pair sparked four-match runs in West Virginia’s two previous wins over Ohio and Pittsburgh, taking victories that gave the Mountaineers an advantage they would never lose.

West Virginia will also now likely rise from the 24th spot in next week’s AWCA Division I Coaches Poll. The Mountaineers made their first appearance in the Top 25 since the 2015-16 season, where they were ranked as high as No. 19.

WVU’s Jordan Titus Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week; Mountaineers Now Ranked No. 24

The Mountaineers claimed back-to-back wins to begin the match. With the meet starting at the 157-pound bout, West Virginia’s Alex Hornfeck was able to edge Lincoln Heck 3-2 after the pair battled through a scoreless first period.

No. 8 ranked Peyton Hall followed by pinning Thomas Sell in 4:50 at 165 pounds, giving the Mountaineers an early 9-0 lead.

Chattanooga answered by taking the next three consecutive matches. The Mocs’ Rocky Jordan, who is ranked No. 16 at 174 pounds, earned a 9-0 major decision victory over Scott Joll. Matthew Waddell then pinned Anthony Carman at 184 before Jake Boyd defeated Ian Bush 3-2 at 197, putting Chattanooga ahead 13-9.

West Virginia’s No. 20 ranked heavyweight Michael Wolfgram got the Mountaineers back on the board with a 13-8 decision to cut the deficit to 13-12.

No. 7 ranked Killian Cardinale put West Virginia ahead by three with a 10-2 major decision over Dominic DiMotasso at 125 pounds, but Chattanooga tied the match at 16-16 with Brayden Palmer defeating Davin Rhoads 7-3 at 133, setting up the exciting finish.

Killian Cardinale Feels Responsibility to Win Each Match as WVU’s Leader

The Mountaineers will be back on the mat next weekend to start a two-meet weekend in Oklahoma. West Virginia will visit the Sooners on Friday night before taking on Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon.

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