FERRUM, Va. — Averett University men's wrestling came back to beat Ferrum College 23-14 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action on Thursday night.

Ferrum grabbed momentum in the lighter weights, including in a top-10 national matchup at 125 points. No. 8 Zach Becker from Ferrum edged senior Mason Barrett, who is ranked No. 3, with a 6-0 decision. The Panthers also earned decisions at 133 and 149 with Averett (16-13, 5-1 ODAC) taking the matchup at 141 as senior Mauricio Reyes picked up a 17-10 decision.

Down 9-3, Averett turned the tide — beginning at 157 with senior Anthony Taylor's 19-2 win by technical fall (4:31). Junior Xavier Swanson then pinned his opponent in the first period at 165 to surge the Cougars in front 14-9. Juniors Michael Gabbard, Nolan Gerwitz and Jacob Jimenez each won by decision at 174, 184 and 197, respectively, to seal the match in Averett's favor.

Ferrum's Rayshawn Dixon, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation, won by tech fall at heavyweight to account for the Panthers' final team points.

Averett finishes its slate of duals with a showdown at No. 7 Roanoke College on Saturday.
 
 
Averett 23, Ferrum 14
125: Zach Beckner (Ferrum) def. Mason Barrett (Averett), Dec 6-0
133: Trent Proctor (Ferrum) def. AJ Orlando (Averett), Dec 8-7
141: Mauricio Reyes (Averett) def. Josiah Canales (Ferrum), Dec 17-10
149: Cameron Curva (Ferrum) def. Andres Cortes (Averett), Dec 11-5
157: Anthony Taylor (Averett) def. Joseph Olalde (Ferrum), TF 19-2 (4:31)
165: Xavier Swanson (Averett) def. Robert Owens Jr. (Ferrum), Fall (1:49)
174: Michael Gabbard (Averett) def. Gabriel Cortes (Ferrum), Dec 7-6
184: Nolan Gerwitz (Averett) def. Joesph Toner (Ferrum), Dec 10-7
197: Jacob Jimenez (Averett) def. Sam Slate (Ferrum), Dec 8-3
285: Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) def. Jasiri Dingle (Averett), TF 18-0 (2:57)

Extra match:
174: Tyler-Nicholas Ritz (Averett) def. Averett Hall (Ferrum), Fall (2:36)