DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's wrestling placed two wrestlers as 11 teams competed in the annual Cougar Open on Sunday in the E. Stuart James Grant Center.

Senior Jacob Jimenez went 2-1 on the day, earning a podium spot by placing third at 197 pounds. Jimenez started off by picking up a pin against East Stroudsburg University's Antonio Collazo, before falling to Marymount University's Mohammed Fofana by major decision in the semifinals to set up a date with Washington and Lee University's Maxx Miller. Jimenez eared his third-place honors after defeating Miller on an 8-5 decision.

Senior Carter Erickson won three of his five matches on the day, placing sixth in the heavyweight bracket after falling to Peter Savarino by decision in the fifth-place match. Erickson remained undefeated until the second championship round where he fell to East Stroudsburg University's Ajay Hiller by technical fall. Erickson rebounded, gaining a pin and a technical fall to advance to the fifth-place match where he ultimately was defeated. 

The Cougars have a week of rest and recovery before they host Ferrum College on Saturday for a non-conference match. 

125

Prelim: Larry Rhodes (Bluefield State) def. Dominic Pascoe, MD 14-1

Cons. Round 1: Dominic Pascoe def. Daniel Graham (Belmont Abbey), Dec 8-2

Cons. Round 2: Jacob Dusche (Belmont Abbey) def. Dominic Pascoe, MD 18-10
 

Prelim: Michael Dibiase (Belmont Abbey) def. Georgi Sezenias, MD 13-3

Cons. Round 1: Patrick Burdsall (Unattached) def. Georgi Sezenias, Def 2:51

149

Prelim: Evan Owen (Washington and Lee) def. Luke Zadrazil, Fall 2:02

Cons. Round 1: Luke Zadrazil def. Reese Keene (Unattached), Fall 0:49

Cons. Round 2: Landon Yoder (Apprentice) def. Luke Zadrazil, MD 20-7

Prelim: Jonah Paulino (Roanoke) def. Landon Neal, TF 6:01

Cons. Round 1: Landon Neal def. Jordan Blaise (Washington and Lee), Dec 2-1

Cons. Round 2: Ryan Rector (Belmont Abbey) def. Landon Neal, Dec 11-7

165

Prelim: Austin Marry (Belmont Abbey) def. Lee New, Forfeit

Cons. Round 1: Aiden Ryan (Roanoke) def. Lee New, Forfeit

197

Prelim: Jacob Jimenez def. Antonio Collazo (East Stroudsburg), Fall 0:23 

Semifinal: Mohammed Fofana (Marymount) def. Jacob Jimenez, MD 13-5

3rd Place: Jacob Jimenez def. Maxx Miller (Washington and Lee), Dec 8-5

285

Prelim: Carter Erickson received a bye

Champ. Round 1: Carter Erickson def. Sebastian Rivera (Roanoke), Dec 6-0

Champ. Round 2: Ajay Hiller (East Stroudsburg) def Carter Erickson, TF 20-4

Cons. Round 3: Carter Erickson def. Zachary Cummings (Liberty), Fall 2:37

Cons. Round 4: Carter Erickson def. Greg Dennard (Bluefield State), TF 17-1 

5th Place: Peter Savarino (Unattached) def. Carter Erickson, Dec 5-2

Prelim: Tanner Bridges received a bye

Champ. Round 1: Simeon Bryant (Bluefield State) def. Tanner Bridges, Dec 3-1

Cons. Round 2: Tanner Bridges def. Cooper Hinkley (Liberty), Fall 1:46

Cons. Round 3: Tanner Bridges def. Matthew Gonzalez (Belmont Abbey), Fall 3:47

Cons. Round 4: Alex Jukoski (Roanoke) def. Tanner Bridges, Fall 3:52