DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's wrestling fell short 34-10 to No. 24 Washington and Lee University on Saturday night in the Grant Center.
 
Averett (15-12, 4-1 ODAC) opened the dual with points as senior Mason Barrett picked up the second-period 16-1 technical fall win over Tony Urso at 125 pounds. Barrett, ranked No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the region, gave the Cougars a 5-0 team lead. Washington and Lee (11-3, 2-1 ODAC) picked up wins at 133, 141 and 149 in battles between regionally ranked opponents on both sides to put the Generals ahead 12-5.

At 157, senior Anthony Taylor, who is ranked No. 4 in the region, faced off with fifth-ranked Colin Bridges. Taylor dominated on his way to a 24-9 tech fall by the end of the match to help Averett close the gap to 12-10. Washington and Lee, however, won all the heavier weight matchups — including four that pitted regionally ranked opponents on both sides — to seal the victory.

The dual was Averett's final home dual of the season. The Cougars finish at Ferrum College and at No. 7 Roanoke College before entering postseason action.
 
 
No. 24 Washington and Lee 34, Averett 10
125: Mason Barrett (Averett) over Tony Urso (Washington and Lee), TF 16-1 (3:28)
133: Vincent Ziccardi (Washington and Lee) over A.J. Orlando III (Averett), Dec 5-1
141: Skyler Hickman (Washington and Lee) over Mauricio Reyes (Averett), MD 10-1
149: Evan Lindner (Washington and Lee) over Andres Cortes (Averett), TF 22-5 (5:42)
157: Anthony Taylor (Averett) over Colin Bridges (Washington and Lee), TF 24-9 (7:00)
165: Mark Troni (Washington and Lee) over Xavier Swanson (Averett), MD 13-5
174: Jacob Wright (Washington and Lee) over Michael Gabbard (Averett), Dec 7-2
184: Jack McCusker (Washington and Lee) over Noah Harris (Averett), MD 23-13
197: John Santowski (Washington and Lee) over Jacob Jimenez (Averett), TF 15-0 (6:54)
285: Carter Stack (Washington and Lee) over Braeden Fluke (Averett), TF 20-5 (2:47)