Kearney, Neb. – Nationally-ranked seniors Brock Coutu (pronounced coo-two) and Patrick Martinez earned wins but the 15th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies won the other eight matches to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 27-6, at the 34th Annual Virginia Duals Friday morning in Hampton.
 
The Lopers, ranked secnd in NCAA Division II, fall to 3-1 and will take on the George Mason University Patriots today at 2:00 p.m. Central. GMU fell to Rider (NJ), 25-16, in their first round match.
 
Facing the defending tournament champions, UNK came in a bit shorthanded as top-ranked Daniel DeShazer (133 lbs.) and third-ranked Chase White (157 lbs.) couldn't take to the mats due to injuries.  

Both should return to the Loper lineup later this month
 
Coutu (Griswold, Conn.), a 2013 Division II All-American, is currently ranked third at 133 lbs. Facing a two-time NCAA Division I qualifier in senior Erik Spjut, he tallied three points in the final 1:36 to win 8-5.
 
First, Spjut was called for stalling and then Coutu sealed the deal with a takedown at the 26 second mark. Finally, Coutu earned a point of riding time.
 
Also a 2013 D2 All-American who twice made the D1 NCAA meet for Wyoming, Martinez (Hemet, Calif.) is ranked fourth at 174 lbs. In his first match of the 2013-14 season, he used takedowns in the first and second periods, and an escape in the third, to best senior John Dickson, 5-2.
 
Seniors Kelsey Empting (285 lbs.) and Mark Fiala (184 lbs.) were also close to knocking off their Hokie opponent.
 
Fiala (Seward) led Nick Vetterlein, 2-1, after the first period but gave up three second period points to fall behind. Vetterlein then recorded a takedown with 40 seconds left to record a 6-3 win.
 
In the final match of the dual, Empting (Ponca City, Okla.) used an escape and takedown to tie up his match with redshirt freshman Ty Walz at three all early in the third period. However, Walz escaped with 1:05 left to win.
 
Follow www.trackwrestling.com for live updates all weekend.