Kansas City, Missouri – No. 4 ranked Caleb Henson won the 149-pound national title with a 15-7 victory over No. 6 Austin Gomez of Michigan at T-Mobile Center. The sophomore from Cartersville, Ga., became the second Hokie to accomplish the feat on the mat, joining Mekhi Lewis (2019, 165 pounds), and the first national champion from Georgia. Henson is the fourth Hokie to reach the NCAA finals, and the fifth time a Hokie has reached the NCAA finals.
Henson was relentless from the first whistle throughout the match. Hawkey conceded the first takedown, but attempted a quick escape from Gomez's attack before landing a bodylock and a five-point move to take a 6-3 lead. Henson added four more points on a sackback for four points, still extending the lead in the first period. Gomez escaped, but Henson countered the cement mixer and led 13-4 at the end of the first round with 1 minute 17 seconds riding time. The Hokies would make another run to start the third to further extend their lead. More attacks from Gomez narrowed the lead, but the Hokies made another successful escape and led 15-7 at the end of the second period. Gomez chooses neutral to start the final frame. Despite multiple scoring attempts, the score was 15-7, and the Hokie star and newly crowned champion, a multi-time All-American, held his own on an unforgettable Saturday night at T-Mobile Center. and the University of Michigan, which qualified for the 2024 Olympics.
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