LOUISVILLE Ky. – Averett wrestling completed Day 1 of the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals. The Cougars finished strong against the University of Mount Union, recording four falls with a final score of 40-5 after a 34-9 loss against Luther College Friday morning. 

Against Mount Union, the Cougars dominated. In addition to four pins, the Cougars also recorded one technical fall, a major decision and three decisions to finish 1-1 on the day.

Graduate student Alex Turley defeated Braeden Hendel by a 10-4 decision in the 174-pound weight class in Averett's dual against Luther.

Redshirt senior Billy Baldwin recorded the team's only pin against Luther just under four minutes at 197 pounds.

Against Mount Union, sophomore Mason Barrett defeated No. 2 wrestler in the nation Jack Stanley in triple overtime in the 125-pound weight class.

Junior Olli Karjalainen won by fall at 3:52 against Mount Union's Mason McCarty in the 133-pound weight class.

At 141 pounds, freshman Landon Neal won by a 7-4 decision over Logan Miller.

Sophomore Jesse Alvarado defeated Mount Union's Nick Nettleton by a 14-11 decision at 157 pounds.

In the 165-pound weight class, sophomore Anthony Taylor won by decision against Chris Anderson 14-8.

Turley pinned Caleb Zimmerman in the first minute of the match at 174 pounds.

Baldwin had yet another dominating performance, defeating AJ Lunardi by a 13-2 major decision in the 197-pound weight class.

Heavyweight junior Jamar Christian's victory extended the Cougars' pin tally to five on the day after defeating Austin Ryder.

The Cougars are set to resume competition against the University Dubuque on Saturday at 11 a.m. to begin Day 2 of the NWCA Duals.

Luther 34, Averett 9
125 Connor Kidd (Luther) def. Daniel Parkulo (Averett) (Fall 3:56)
133 Cristian Chavez (Luther) def. Olli Karjalainen (Averett) (Dec 8-5)
141 Tyler DiFiore (Luther) def. Wyatt Parker (Averett) (Dec 3-0)
149 Clayton McDonough (Luther) def. Alex Driggs (Averett) (TF 18-0)
157 Bryce McDonough (Luther) def. Xavier Swanson (Averett) (MD 8-0)
165 Marcus Mandler (Luther) def. Nate Mallery (Averett) (MD 11-2)
174 Alex Turley (Averett) def. Braeden Hendel (Luther) (Dec 10-4)
184 Donovan Corn (Luther) def. Khalil Mitchell (Averett) (Fall 1:20)
197 Billy Baldwin (Averett) def. Garrett Kilgas (Luther) (Fall 3:51)
285 Cullen Quick (Luther) def. Jamar Christian (Averett) (Dec 4-2)

Averett 40, Mount Union 5
125 Mason Barrett (Averett) def. Jack Stanley (Mount Union) (SV-2 3-1)
133 Olli Karjalainen (Averett) def. Mason McCarty (Mount Union) (Fall 3:52)
141 Landon Neal (Averett) def. Logan Miller (Mount Union) (Dec 7-4)
149 Riley Kneeland (Mount Union) def. Jackson Higgins (Averett) (TF 16-0)
157 Jesse Alvarado (Averett) def. Nick Nettleton (Mount Union) (Dec 14-11)
165 Anthony Taylor (Averett) def. Chris Anderson (Mount Union) (Dec 14-8)
174 Alex Turley (Averett) def. Caleb Zimmerman (Mount Union) (Fall 1:13)
184 Khalil Mitchell (Averett) def. Nick Chaddock (Mount Union) (Fall 1:45)
197 Billy Baldwin (Averett) def. AJ Lunardi (Mount Union) (MD 13-2)
285 Jamar Christian (Averett) def. Austin Ryder (Mount Union) (Fall 2:57)