WINCHESTER, Va. — Averett University men's wrestling defeated Shenandoah University 35-11 in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference dual on Thursday afternoon.

The Cougars won seven of the 10 weight classes, but perhaps none were bigger than the battle at 174 between junior Michael Gabbard and Shenandoah's Dylan Weaver. Gabbard, who is ranked No. 4 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) regional rankings knocked off Weaver, who is ranked No. 3 in the region, with an 8-7 decision thanks to a thrilling late takedown. Gabbard trailed Weaver 7-5 with under a minute to go in the third period before Gabbard managed to get the takedown with about 30 seconds left. The takedown held up under review as Gabbard took an 8-7 edge with 27 seconds remaining. From there, Gabbard didn't let Weaver escape and held on for the one-point win.

Three Averett wins came by tech fall, including junior Xavier Swanson at 165, junior Nolan Gerwitz at 184 and junior Braeden Fluke at 285. Sophomore A.J. Orlando III won via 16-1 technical fall at 133, senior Anthony Taylor outlasted Cannon Long with a 21-17 decision at 157 and junior Jacob Jimenez won by forfeit at 197. Orlando, Taylor, Swanson and Jimenez are all regionally ranked in addition to Gabbard.



Averett 35, Shenandoah 11
125: Anakin Burks (Shenandoah) def. Alex Logsdon (Averett), MD 13-1
133: A.J. Orlando III (Averett) def. Xavier Ramsey (Shenandoah), TF 16-1 (5:59)
141: Sean Rinebolt (Shenandoah) def. Wyatt Parker (Averett), Dec 5-1
149: Hunter Ballantine (Shenandoah) def. Carter Shupert (Averett), MD 16-2
157: Anthony Taylor (Averett) def. Cannon Long (Shenandoah), Dec 21-17
165: Xavier Swanson (Averett) def. Bryan Mpengo (Shenandoah), Fall (1:17)
174: Michael Gabbard (Averett) def. Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah), Dec 8-7
184: Nolan Gerwitz (Averett) def. Dylan Weigert (Shenandoah), Fall (2:41)
197: Jacob Jimenez (Averett) won by forfeit
285: Braeden Fluke (Averett) def. Rives Hargis (Shenandoah), Fall (0:52)

Extra Matches:
125: Dominic Pascoe (Averett) def. Elliott Rivera (Shenandoah), TF 16-1 (3:42)
285: Jasiri Dingle (Averett) def. Daniel Basil-Barker (Shenandoah), Dec 10-5