DANVILLE, Va. — In its highly anticipated "Grapple and Tackle" event, the Averett University wrestling team fell to Coker University, 30-11, on Sunday afternoon on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

In this dual, Averett (0-1) competed on the football field for the first time in program history.

Things started favorably for the Cougars, as sophomore Tony Blackman earned a 7-2 decision victory in the 157-pound weight class to give Averett an early 3-0 lead. However, Coker (1-0) proceeded to win the next five matches -- three decisions and two pins -- to take  21-3 lead.

Junior Sam Braswell, coming off a strong campaign last season where he was an NCAA Qualifier, kept that momentum going with a 23-7 tech fall at 125 to cut the gap to 21-8 and give Averett a chance with three matches remaining.

Following a loss at 133, junior Brandon Woody, also a National Qualifier in the 2018-19 season, started his season strong with a 10-6 decision win in the 141-weight class. A loss by pin in the 149-weight class concluded the season opener for the Cougars.

Averett returns to action when it hosts its second annual Cougar Open on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.

MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS

	157	Tony Blackman (Averett) over Ethan Welsh (Coker) (Dec 7-2)
	165	Corey Christe (Coker) over Isaiah Deck (Averett) (Fall 1:29)
	174	Jhavon Innocent (Coker) over Noah Wienclawski (Averett) (Dec 8-2)
	184	Corey Perkins (Coker) over George Moseley (Averett) (Dec 3-2)
	197	David Alverez (Coker) over Jonathan Bishop (Averett) (Dec 8-3)
	285	Ramon Correa (Coker) over Caleb Calhoun (Averett) (Fall 2:40)
	125	Samuel Braswell (Averett) over Chris Navarro (Coker) (TF 23-7 6:24)
	133	Christopher Poland (Coker) over Easton Halliday (Averett) (Dec 4-1)
	141	Brandon Woody (Averett) over Omar Armengol (Coker) (Dec 10-6)
	149	Alex Braden (Coker) over Caleb Harmon (Averett) (Fall 2:27)