HAMPTON, Va. — In Day 2 of the Virginia Duals, the Averett University wrestling team earned a sixth-place finish after dropping duals to Waynesburg University, 20-19, and Liberty University, 26-15, on Saturday evening. No. 6/8 junior Brandon Woody was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the American College Division after going 4-0 on the weekend.

Dual 1

Averett started off strong as it always does, with No. 6 junior Sam Braswell winning by forfeit at 125 pounds. Then, sophomore Joseph Jones won by decision, 9-3, at 133 pounds to give the Cougars an early 9-0 lead. No. 6/8 Woody followed that up with a 17-4 victory by major decision to extend Averett's lead to 13-0 after three matches.

However, losses at the next four weight classes — two by decision and two by major decision — allowed Waynesburg to climb back into it and take a 14-13 lead with three bouts remaining.

That is when freshman George Moseley got a pin at 184 pounds, allowing the Cougars to bounce back and regain the lead, 19-14. A loss by decision at 197 for Averett then put the dual at 19-17, meaning it would all come down to the bout at heavyweight. Like the rest of the dual, this one came down to the wire, as freshman Trent Ragland took the No. 6 wrestler in the nation to the final seconds, but ultimately Waynesburg came out victorious with a 4-3 win by decision to hand Averett a 20-19 loss in its first dual of the day.

Dual 2

Against Liberty, Averett took an early 12-0 lead thanks to back-to-back forfeits from the Flames at 125 and 133 pounds. No. 6/8 Woody built off the early momentum with a 12-6 win by decision at 141 to extend the Cougars' lead to 15-0. With the win, Woody finished 4-0 over the two-day event to improve to 26-1 on the season.

However, Liberty took the remaining seven matches on the dual to eventually earn the 26-15 victory over Averett and close out the Virginia Duals.

The Cougars return to action with a dual meet on the road against Saint Andrews University on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.