COLLEGE WRESTLING: ATHENS GRAD COURTNEY TOPS VA. TECH FRESHMAN FOR FIRST ACC DUAL WIN OF SEASON (2021-01-24)

Valley Sports Report
BLACKSBURG, Va. "” Athens grad Brian Courtney, a redshirt junior on the University of Virginia wrestling team, earned his first ACC duals win of the season here Friday night in the Cavaliers' 19-15 loss to 8th-ranked Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech's Sam Hillegas, a true freshman from North Hills H.S. in Pittsburgh, scored the initial takedown of the bout with 2:10 remaining in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

Courtney escaped 18 seconds later, then used a low-lift single-leg takedown to take a 3-2 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the opening three minutes.

Hillegas, who entered the match at 4-0, started on top and rode Courtney for a minute, but Courtney escaped, then scored a takedown with 17 seconds left in the period for a 6-2 lead.

Villegas trimmed the deficit to 6-3 with an escape early in the third period, then seemed poised to cut into the lead even further when he got in deep on a single-leg, but Courtney dropped into a split, and worked his way behind Villegas for a takedown and an 8-3 lead.

Courtney rode out the final 30 seconds to secure the win.

Courtney improves to 5-1 this season, including two pins and a technical fall. He has a 2-1 duals record, and a 1-1 mark in ACC duals.

He is now 35-19 in his career.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Brian Courtney.