HAMPTON, Va. — Averett University men's wrestling went 1-1 to kick off the Virginia Duals on Friday, defeating Centenary University (New Jersey) 29-9 and falling to Glenville State University 44-0.
Averett (11-6) picked up their second win of the week over Centenary (6-7) with defeats in eight of ten weight classes.
At 125 pounds, junior Adrian Samano, ranked first in the region, won a 18-5 major decision over Jack Thode to open the match. Junior A.J. Orlando III, ranked third regionally, followed at 133 pounds with an 18-2 technical fall to extend the Cougars' early lead.
Regionally ranked junior Carter Shupert picked up a one-point decision over Colin Neal at 157 pounds.
Averett continued to build their momentum as senior Xavier Swanson, ranked seventh in the region at 165 pounds, defeated Hunter Cleaver by a 21-5 technical fall.
Seniors Michael Gabbard, Nolan Gerwitz, Jacob Jimenez and Carter Erickson, all ranked regionally, each picked up wins by decision at 174, 184, 197 and 285 pounds respectively.
The Cougars closed out the day with a tough loss to Glenville State. Swanson and Gabbard fought hard in the close matches at 165 and 174 pounds respectively, but was unable to break through against the pioneers.
Averett finishes out Day 2 at the Virginia Duals on Saturday beginning with a dual against East Stroudsburg University Saturday at 5 p.m.
Averett 29 Centenary (NJ) 9
125: Adrian Samano def. Jack Thode (Centenary), MD 18-5
133: A.J. Orlando III def. Daniel Gonzalez (Centenary), TF 18-2
141: Daniel Haws (Centenary) def. Mauricio Reyes, TF 15-0
149: Joseph Innamorato (Centenary) def. Landon Neal, MD 11-3
157: Carter Shupert def. Colin Neal (Centenary), Dec 7-6
165: Xavier Swanson def. Hunter Cleaver (Centenary), TF 21-5
174: Michael Gabbard def. Reece Smith (Centenary), Dec 6-3
184: Nolan Gerwitz def. Alec Mercado (Centenary), Dec 2-0
197: Jacob Jimenez def. Angelo Piazza (Centenary), Dec 7-4
285: Carter Erickson def. Jonathan Martinez (Centenary), Dec 2-0
Glenville State 44 Averett 0
125: Colton Drousias (Glenville State) def. Adrian Samano, MD 11-3
133: Hunter Rose (Glenville State) def. A.J. Orlando III, MD 16-4
141: Ethan Hardy (Glenville State) def. Mauricio Reyes, TF 18-3
149: Gabriel Onorato (Glenville State) def. Luke Zadrazil, TF 21-5
157: Jimmie Bailes (Glenville State) def. Carter Shupert, TF 19-3
165: Connor Holm (Glenville State) def. Xavier Swanson, Dec 5-4
174: Ethan Lopez (Glenville State) def. Michael Gabbard, Dec 9-1
184: Max Borton (Glenville State) def. Khalil Mitchell, MD 10-5
197: Nicholas Johnson (Glenville State) def. Jacob Jimenez, Fall
285: Colby Whitehill (Glenville State) def. Carter Erickson, TF 18-2
