BUENA VISTA — The Averett University men's wrestling team (0-2) dropped their second consecutive dual of the season Friday night at Southern Virginia University, 24-22. The Cougars collected two major decisions and a technical fall in the effort.
 
Averett was able to win five of the first six bouts in the dual. Freshman Sam Braswell got Averett started on the right foot with a 15-5 major decision win at 125 pounds. Fellow freshman Korpesh Gootee followed that up with a 13-8 decision victory at 133 pounds before freshman Brandon Woody won by forfeit at 141 pounds.
 
The Cougars went ahead 18-0 on the team score line once freshman Josh Linkous won by technical fall at 149 pounds. Freshman Will Merritt dropped his bout at 157 pounds by decision, 9-3. However, freshman Deangelo Evans picked him up with a major decision victory (15-6) at 165 pounds to give his team a 22-3 lead.
 
Unfortunately, Southern Virginia would go on to win the final four bouts and edge Averett in the dual, 24-22.
 
The Cougars are back in action on Monday, Dec. 18, when they travel to Lexington, Virginia to partake in the Washington and Lee University Duals.