HAMPTON, Va. — The Averett University men's wrestling team opened up the Virginia Duals on Friday, falling to Kutztown University and Alderson Broaddus University in dual action. 
 
Kutztown 42, Averett 6
 
Averett (5-7) opened up the Virginia Duals by facing Kutztown (3-1), who is ranked No. 16 nationally in NCAA Division II. The Cougars fell 42-6 in the dual with their lone win coming at 125 pounds in the form of sophomore Sam Braswell. The 125-pounder was pitted against Matt Wilde of Kutztown. Wilde collected a takedown and a 2-point nearfall in the first period to own a 4-0 lead heading into period two. The second period started in the neutral position and Wilde would extend his lead to six with a takedown. However, Braswell would escape and score a takedown of his own with 39 seconds left in period two. The Daytona Beach, Florida, native held down Wilde for the next 35 seconds and was able to put him to his back with four seconds left in the period for the pin.
 
Unfortunately, Averett was unable to carry this momentum into the following matches as Kutztown won the remaining nine matches to run away for the 42-6 victory.
 
MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
#125 – Sam Braswell (AU) over Matt Wilde (KU) (Fall 4:56)
#133 – Lucas Miller (KU) over Korpesh Gootee (AU) (Dec 10-4)
#141 – Anthony Petril (KU) over Brandon Woody (AU) (Dec 6-2)
#149 – Austin Scrivani (KU) over Caleb Harmon (AU) (Fall 0:36)
#157 – Chad Haegele (KU) over Josh Linkous (AU) (TF 15-0)
#165 – Michael O'Brien (KU) over Jared Lough (AU) (Dec 12-5)       
#174 – Troy Warner (KU) over Craig Lewis (AU) (TF 16-0)
#184 – Jeff Reimel (KU) over Demontay Wimbush (AU) (Fall 2:37)
#197 – James Meyer (KU) over John Bishop (AU) (TF 15-0)
#285 – Andrew Dunn (KU) over Tavon Blowe (AU) (Fall 3:21)        
 
Alderson Broaddus 29, Averett 19
 
After falling to Kutztown, Averett wrestled Alderson Broaddus (4-1) in the consolations with the Battlers coming out on top 29-19.  Braswell continued his hot start to the weekend by attaining a 22-5 technical fall victory at 125 pounds, giving Averett an early 5-0 lead. At the end of the first period, Braswell led 12-1 thanks to three takedowns and six nearfall points. From there, Braswell scored eight more nearfall points which was enough for the referee to call victory for him by technical fall.
 
Alderson Broaddus would respond with a decision victory at 133 pounds before Averett won the following two bouts at 141 and 149 pounds. Sophomore Brandon Woody had his 10 bout win streak snapped in the prior dual to Kutztown and was eager to get back on the right track and it showed in this match as the Chesterfield, Virginia, native pinned Cameron Rtichey just a 1:28 into the match. Sophomore Caleb Harmon had a different type of a match at 149 pounds as the Chatham, Virginia, native clawed from behind and grinded out a 7-4 decision. After the first period, Harmon trailed Levi Hobbs 4-1 and chose bottom going into the second period. Harmon was able to escape and score a takedown to tie the match at four going into the final frame. Hobbs chose neutral and the two traded shots until Harmon was able to finish one of his attacks for a takedown with 22 seconds left in the match. The 149-pounder held Hobbs down from there and preserved the win to give Averett the 14-3 edge.
 
The Battlers would cut into the Cougar lead with a win by fall at 157 pounds to make the score 14-9 in favor of Averett. Freshman Jared Lough would push the lead to 19-9 for Averett as the 165-pounder won by technical fall, 19-2. Lough scored 10 nearfall points to pace himself to the win. However, Alderson Broaddus would win the final four bouts of the dual with two technical falls, one major decision and a fall to secure the 29-19 victory.
 
MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
#125 – Sam Braswell (AU) over Breandon Coughlin (ABU) (TF 22-5)
#133 – Curtis Cox (ABU) over Easton Halliday (AU) (Dec 9-4)
#141 – Brandon Woody (AU) over Cameron Rtichey (ABU) (Fall 1:28)
#149 – Caleb Harmon (AU) over Levi Hobbs (ABU) (Dec 7-4)
#157 – Tyler Bauer (ABU) over Josh Linkous (AU) (Fall 0:18)
#165 – Jared Lough (AU) over Nick Sulhoff (ABU) (TF 19-2)       
#174 – Gino Sita (ABU) over Craig Lewis (AU) (TF 18-3)   
#184 – Josh Dailey (ABU) over Demontay Wimbush (AU) (MD 21-9)
#197 – Tristin Breen (ABU) over Chris Mohr (AU) (TF 16-1)
#285 – Jared Burgoyne (ABU) over Tavon Blowe (AU) (Fall 0:17)        
 
Averett will face Greensboro College tomorrow morning for seventh place. The dual will start at 10 a.m.