ROANOKE, Va.— The dust hadn't event settled, but Averett University men's wrestling sophomore Mason Barrett was already thinking about next year moments after finishing his first experience at the 2023 NCAA Division III national championships, which finished up Saturday at the Berglund Center.
 
While the future is bright, Barrett has plenty to be proud of after placing sixth at 125 pounds and earning All-America honors for the first time in his young collegiate career.

"I'm proud that I'm an All-American but I hope next year I can do even better," Barrett said.

Barrett was one of three Averett wrestlers to qualify for nationals and was the lone Cougar to advance to Day 2 on Saturday.

Averett head coach Blake Roulo was thrilled about the progress Barrett made from last year to this year.

"Mason Barrett had an incredible sophomore campaign," Roulo said. "Going from 1-2 at the regional tournament and not placing to this year being a regional champion and NCAA All-American says everything about his growth as wrestler and more importantly as a man. He is an example of what can happen when you buy into our staff with talent."

To open Day 2, the seventh-seeded Barrett took a quick 6-0 lead in the first period against Muhlenberg University's Joey Lamparelli thanks to a takedown and a four-point near fall. Barrett held him scoreless until late penalty point gave Lamparelli his only point of the match. The win helped Barrett advance and clinch at least a top-six finish on the day.

In the consolation semifinals, Barrett had a tight match against fourth-seeded Christian Guzman of North Central College. Guzman got an escape and a takedown in the second period, then added a penalty point late to earn a 4-0 decision over Barrett.

The loss sent Barrett into the fifth-place match against No. 5 seed Zac Blasioli of Millikin University. Blasioli led 2-0 after a first-period takedown, then got an escape and another takedown in Period 2 before pulling away in the final period to earn a 9-0 major decision for fifth place. Barrett finished in sixth place, becoming only the third Averett wrestler in the program's young history to place at the national tournament. By finishing on the podium, Barrett earned All-American accolades.

As he left the mat for the final time this season, Barrett and Roulo were already discussing how they can take what they learned this year and use it to their advantage going into next year.
Barrett's showing at the national tournament capped off a strong season for Averett, which won a share of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference title, won three ODAC individual titles and had one region champ with five placers.

"This year was a roller coaster of a season going 18-10 as a dual team and having a three-way tie for the ODAC championship to bring Averett its first ODAC title in any sport," Roulo said. "We have one of the toughest schedules in the country. .... The future of Averett wrestling is bright and I am very excited for what our team can take from this season's high and lows. We will make adjustments and work to be better every day." 

2023 NCAA Division III National Championships
March 10-11, 2023
Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va.
 
Day 1
Champ. Round 1 – 125   Mason Barrett (Averett) def. Cade Odrobina (Albion), MD 10-0
Quarterfinals – 125 Jacob Decatur (Baldwin Wallace) def. Mason Barrett (Averett), Dec 3-2
Cons. Round 2 – 125 Mason Barrett (Averett) def. Luke Loerle (Stevens), Dec. 3-1
 
Prelim – 149 Hai Siu (Averett) def. Tyler Goebel (Wisconsin-La Crosse), Dec. 6-4
Champ. Round 1 – 149 Thomas Monn (McDaniel) def. Hai Siu (Averett), Fall (7:48)
Cons. Round 1 – 149 Chase Parrott (Springfield) def. Hai Siu (Averett), Dec. 6-1
 
Champ. Round 1 – 174 Charlie Grygas (Oswego State) def. Alex Turley (Averett), Dec. 11-5
Prelim – 174 Alex Turley (Averett) def. Derick Duvall (Adrian), Fall (5:16)
Cons. Round 1 – 174 Alex Turley (Averett) def. Cooper Fleming (Castleton), Dec. 9-7
Cons. Round 2 – 174 Stefan Major (Stevens) def. Alex Turley (Averett), Fall (2:18)
 
Day 2
Cons. Round 3 – 125 Mason Barrett (Averett) def. Joey Lamparelli (Muhlenberg), Dec. 6-1
Cons. Semifinals – 125 Christian Guzman (North Central) def. Mason Barrett (Averett), Dec. 4-0
Fifth Place – 125 Zac Blasioli (Millikin) def. Mason Barrett (Averett), MD 9-0