Dixon, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., capped his regular season with two more pins to help Ferrum to a 1-1 showing in dual matches against ODAC competition. Dixon, ranked fifth in the country and second in the Atlantic South Region by the NWCA at 285 pounds, collected the first of his two falls in a 31-14 loss to Roanoke. He collected his eighth pin of the season over Brady Elswick with 2:54 gone in the bout. Dixon improved to 26-1 overall with his ninth pin as part of a 35-13 victory over Southern Virginia University. Dixon earned the fall victory at 4:23 over Igor Lakicevic.
Smith, a sophomore from Smithfield, Va., helped Roanoke improve to 5-0 in ODAC dual matches ahead of the upcoming ODAC Wrestling Championships next weekend at Shenandoah University. Smith earned a pin at 141 pounds over former two-time All-American Levi Englman from Ferrum College. The fall came at 1:45 and helped the Maroons secure a 31-14 team victory over the Panthers. Roanoke has just one dual match left and is in the driver's seat for the first ODAC team title since 1980 with a bout at home against Averett on Tuesday.
Sallah, a senior from Roanoke, Va., earns his second ODAC weekly award of the season after capturing the 184-pound title at the Pete Willson Invitational hosted by Wheaton College (Ill.). Sallah, ranked 11th nationally and first in the Southeast Region by the NWCA, bested a pair of regionally-ranked and one national-rated opponent over his 5-0 run. He opened with a pin after 21-seconds of Isaac Sell from Muskingum College. He backed that with a second win by fall, this time at 6:42 over Stephen Watson from the host Thunder. Sallah then posted his first ranked win of the event, enjoying an 11-3 major decision over Cortland's Brian Torres, the fourth-ranked wrestler in the Mid-East Region. He then squared off with Gavin Layman from 18th-ranked Ohio Northern University. Sallah earned a 6-1 decision over the Central Region's #5 competitor, setting a championship showdown with Niall Schoenfelder from 10th-ranked UW-Eau Claire. Sallah churned out a 5-2 decision over the nation's sixth-ranked competitor at 184 pounds to claim the title.
Cafurello, a sophomore from Clifton, Va., was active and successful in a strong field at 125 pounds at the Pete Willson Invitational hosted by Wheaton College (Ill.). Cafurello went 7-1 overall to finish third with victories over two regionally-ranked and one nationally-rated competitor by the NWCA. Cafurello opened with a 7-3 decision over Jase Van Pelt from Cornell College. After dropping his next match by fall (4:02) to Kie Anderson from Concordia-Moorhead, Cafurello went on a six-match run the rest of the way. He posted a technical fall (17-0) victory over Julian Long from Nebraska Wesleyan and then followed with a 9-4 decision over Adrian Samano from Ferrum. Cafurello topped the first of four ranked opponents with a 10-4 decision over ninth-ranked UW-Whitewater's Tyler Klein, the second-ranked wrestler in the Upper Midwest Region. He then won 9-7 over Cortland State's Cody Merwin, who is slotted fifth in the Mid-East Region. After receiving a medical forfeit win from Anthony Zamora from Wheaton -- ranked #6 in the Upper Midwest Region -- he met Mount Union's Jack Stanley in the third place match. Cafurello earned a 3-1 decision over his nationally 12th-ranked opponent, who also ranks third in the Central Region.
Blizard, a senior from Greensboro, N.C., earns his first ODAC weekly award after posting a pair of victories in ODAC dual matches at 184 pounds. Blizard, ranked #5 in the Southeast Region by the NWCA, helped Washington and Lee to a 43-10 team win over Shenandoah with victory by technical fall at 18-2 (3:12) over Dylan Wiegert. Blizard then took on Khalil Mitchell during the Generals 28-6 triumph over nationally 24th-ranked (tournament rankings) Averett. Blizard earned a 7-3 decision over Mitchell, who is ranked one spot ahead of him in the southeast region rankings.
Luth, a senior from Milford, Conn., picks up his second straight ODAC lighter weight weekly award of the season after posting a pair of wins at 157 pounds to help Washington and Lee to two conference dual match victories. Luth, ranked fifth in Division III and #1 in the Southeast Region by the NWCA, squared off with Xavier Locke in the Generals 43-10 team win over Shenandoah. Luth won his bout by fall at 0:31. Luth then met nationally sixth-ranked and regionally second-rated Jesse Alvarado from nationally 24th-ranked (tournament) Averett. Luth posted a 6-1 decision over Alvarado help W&L to a 28-6 team triumph.
Sallah, a senior from Roanoke, Va., put together a strong 4-0 showing at 184-pounds to help Roanoke to a 2-2 record and third in the silver bracket at the Virginia Duals hosted in Hampton, Va. Sallah, ranked #1 in the Southeast Region at 184 by the NWCA, collected victories of nearly every fashion over the two-day competition. He earned his first victory by fall as he pinned Connor Bauman at 4:42 to help the Maroons post a 33-18 victory over Camden Country CC. In a 24-12 team loss to #16/20-ranked Alvernia, Sallah earned a 17-12 decision over James Circle. He shutout his opponent in the Maroons 28-13 team loss to Liberty University to start day two, besting Gabriel Hayes by major decision, 10-0. Sallah capped his outing with a 24-8 technical fall victory over Colin Vallis in Roanoke's 29-10 triumph over Johns Hopkins University. Sallah is now 12-1 in all bouts this season including 8-0 in dual matches.
Luth, a senior from Milford, Conn., posted a 5-0 weekend at 157 pounds to help Washington and Lee to a 4-1 team showing and a fifth place finish at the Budd Whitehill National Duals hosted by Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. Luth, a former national qualifier in 2019-20 at 157, bested a pair of regionally ranked opponents in his first two bouts. He posted an 11-1 major decision victory over Garrett Cornell in the Generals 23-19 victory over Messiah University. Cornell is ranked fifth in the Southeast Region by the NWCA. Luth's next opponent, Logan McGloine from Oswego State, also holds a #5 ranking, but in the Mid-East Region. Luth won again by major decision at 14-4, leading W&L to a 35-7 team win over the Lakers. Washington and Lee then squared off with #8 Wisconin-Eau Claire. Luth earned a tough 2-1 decision over Zack Schneider, but W&L dropped the team result, 26-13. Luth helped the Generals return to the win column with his third major decision victory of the tournament. He shutout Jack Deguire, 12-0, to help W&L down Springfield College, 20-13. The last dual of the event for W&L featured SUNY Cortland. The Generals earned a 40-4 triumph with Luth again keeping his opponent off the board with a 7-0 decision over Kyle Klein.
Turley, a graduate student from Chester, Va., took the mats for the first time in 2022-23 and posted three victories at the NWCA National Duals with two of those triumphs coming from competitors from ranked schools. Turley bested Braeden Hendel from Luther College with a 10-4 decision. The Vikings are rated 19th in the NWCA dual rankings and 23rd in the NWCA tournament standings. Turley then won by fall at 1:13 over the University of Mount Union's Caleb Zimmerman, helping the Cougars to a 40-5 victory over the 20th-ranked (tournament) Purple Raiders. Turley capped his weekend with a win by technical fall at 20-4 over Thomas McCreadie from Dubuque. Turley, who was a 2022 national qualifier, is part of an Averett squad that ranks 22nd in the NWCA's tournament table.
Wilson, a junior from Greensboro, N.C., earned his second invitational title of the season by winning at the 141-pound bracket at the Jim Crytzer Invitational hosted by Washington and Lee. Wilson, a two-time All-American and holder of the current (1/3/23) NWCA #6 national and #2 regional (Southeast) rankings at 141 pounds, won four times in Lexington to push his overall record to 24-3. He won by fall at 2:55 over Alex Choi from Roanoke in the first round. He then topped Evan Lindner from W&L in the quarterfinals via a 7-2 decision. A major decision victory at 12-4 over Roanoke's Nick Kaufmann followed in the semifinals. Wilson met regionally sixth-ranked Vincent Ziccardi from W&L for the weight class title. Wilson scored a 15-5 major decision victory to stand atop the podium.
Dixon, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., continued his stellar season by claiming his third title of the year by winning the 285-pound crown at the Citrus Invitational hosted at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on December 29-30. Dixon, ranked fourth in the Southeast Region by the NWCA, improved to 17-1 on the season by going 5-0 with two pins in his five bouts in the Sunshine State. He opened with an 11-4 decision over Joshua Mancia from Roanoke College. Dixon then pinned Schreiner's Robert Hernandez at 6:24 to move on to the quarters. He faced Abbas Abdulrahman from Castleton in that match and earned a 3-1 decision. In the semifinals, Dixon pinned three-time NWCA 285-pound champion Jeffrey Allen from Liberty University at 2:32 to advance to the title bout. Dixon squared off with Augsburg's Tyler Kim, the Upper Midwest region's top-ranked and #2 nationally-rated competitor at 285 pounds. Dixon scored a takedown with one second left in regulation to post a 4-3 decision for the weight class title.
Robson, a first-year from Staunton, Va., placed fourth overall at 125 pounds at the Citrus Invitational hosted at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on December 29-30. Robson went 4-2 in his six bouts, opening with a win by fall over Lucas Johnson from Williams College at 2:23. He then posted a 6-1 decision over Jase Van Pelt from Cornell. Robson squared off with the northeast region's fourth-ranked wrestler, Kaya Bogle from Castleton, and earned a sudden victory decision (2-2) to move on to the semifinals. UNC-Pembroke's Logan Seliga got the best of Robson via a 10-1 major decision, but Robson rebounded with a 5-4 decision over Taisei Karach from NYU in the consolation bracket. In the third place match, Robson fell in a rematch with Bogle, 6-2.
Bryan, a first-year from Westmingster, Md., helped Shenandoah to a 57-0 whitewashing of Penn State Mont Alto in a dual on Saturday. Bryan pinned Kyle Davis at the 2:59 mark to win the 285-pound bout, improving his individual record to 4-7 with his first victory in a dual this year.
Johnson-Hunte, a first-year from Alexandria, Va., helped Shenandoah shutout Penn State Mont Alto, 57-0, in a dual on Saturday afternoon. Johnson-Hunte decked Shawn Howes at th 4:12 mark to win the 157-pound bout. The victory marked his first in a dual setting and improved his individual record to 2-9 this season.
McCormick, a sophomore from Poquoson, Va., wrestled at two different weight classes in helping Averett to four of their five team wins to claim the title at the Cougar Duals hosted by AU on Sunday. McCormick wrestled at 125-pounds in the Cougars 60-(-1) team win over Emory & Henry. He won by fall at 2:46 over Orlando Hernandez. McCormick again pinned his opponent at 125-pounds in a 52-0 victory over Patrick Henry CC. He decked Hunter Fulp just 1:14 into the match. McCormick's third bout turned into a forfeit win at 125-pounds, helping AU to a 42-21 win over St. Andrews University. In the title match against Apprentice School, McCormick completed his undefeated day by wrestling up a weight class at 133-pounds. He scored a 10-4 decision over Dillon Messick, helping the Cougars to a 32-9 team triumph.
Baldwin, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va., went 5-0 at 197-pounds in five dual matches for Averett at the Cougar Duals hosted by AU on Sunday. Baldwin won by fall twice and scored one victory each by major decision, decision, and technical fall. In the Cougars 60-(-1) win over Emory & Henry to open the event, Baldwin pinned Hunter Brown early at the 1:30 mark. He then ground out a 5-4 decision over Aydan Edwards to help AU top Fairmont State University, 37-9. Baldwin registered his second pin at 3:33 over Tony Ray, helping the Cougars down Patrick Henry CC, 52-0. He then dominated Omori Lee from St. Andrews University, winning by 19-4 technical fall at 4:39 in a 42-21 team triumph. In the first place match, Baldwin contributed a 12-1 major decision win over Matthew Henson in the Cougars 32-9 team win over Apprentice School.
Weaver, a junior from Annandale, Va., earned a spot on the podium with a third place finish at 174 pounds at the Petrofes Invitational hosted by Messiah University. Weaver went 5-1 in his six bouts with two wins by major decision, a fall, and a technical fall. He opened with a 16-4 major over Mike Rivera from Cortland and followed by pinning Vincent Player from Bridgewater State at 4:23. In the quarterfinals, Weaver posted a 20-2 technical fall victory over Gavin Hollingsworth from Alvernia before squaring off with highly-rated Kade Kravits from King's College in the semifinals. Kravits posted a 4-1 decision, but Weaver responde with a 8-6 sudden-victory win over Pat Ross from Cortland to earn a spot in the third place match. Weaver defeated Mount Union's David Reinhart with a decisive 15-4 major. Weaver is now 12-4 overall this season.
Barrett, a sophomore from Bealeton, Va., helped Averett University to third place overall in a strong field at the New Standard Corporation Invitational hosted by York College (Pa.). Barrett faced three top-nine* ranked wrestlers on his way to finishing second at 125 pounds. He opened with a 12-2 major decision win over Liam Bullock from SUNY-Brockport. Barrett then squared off with fellow ODAC competitor Riley Parker from Washington and Lee. Barrett earn a 3-1 decision over the weight class's top-ranked wrestler. He then moved on to face ninth-ranked Ryan Rosenthal from The College of New Jersey. Barrett osted a 4-3 decision to setup a championship showdown with sixth-ranked Joziah Fry from Johnson & Wales. Fry posted a 10-4 decision on the way to being named wrestler of the tournament. After going 3-1 at York, Barrett is now 11-2 on the year.
Sedovy, a junior from Lexington, Va., posted a 4-0 week in dual matches at 197 pounds including a pair of wins against foes from ODAC schools. During the midweek, Sedovy posted a 3-1 sudden victory triumph over Cam Cavins from Roanoke College despite the Generals 18-15 team loss in the first conference dual of the season. At the Star City Duals, Sedovy went 3-0 with a pair of falls and a major decision. He pinned Joseph Akers from Greensboro College at 3:32, helping Washington and Lee to a 48-9 team win. He followed up with a fall at 6:04 over Zach Watson from Thomas More University in W&L's tight 21-19 victory. Sedovy capped his week with a 12-4 major decision win over Jeffery Tubbs from Huntingdon College, aiding W&L's 47-3 winning effort.
Hall, a sophomore from Powhatan, Va., was a dominant force for Roanoke at the Star City Classic with three wins by fall at 133-pounds to claim the weight class title. Hall first topped Christian Orozco wrestling unattached from the University of Mount Olive with a pin at 4:02. He then bested his teamate Corey Messick with a fall at 2:06. Hall capped his day with a pin at 6:38 of Washington and Lee's David Rubin.
Dixon, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., posted another 4-0 showing to win the 285-pound class at the Cougar Open hosted by Averett University. He is now 8-0 on the season and appears as the #4 ranked wrestler in the region and in the honorable mention category in the second rankings published by d3wrestle.com. Dixon opened with a 16-4 major decision victory over Joshua Hermann from Liberty. Dixon then pinned Caleb Hartung from Apprentice at 1:44, setting up two tough bouts in the semifinals and finals. He matched with Roanoke's Joshua Mancia in the semis and earned 3-1 decision. Dixon met Peter Cortapassol for the title and locked in a classic heavyweight grind where Dixon eventually won via 2-1 decision on a tiebreaker point. Dixon has now won titles in his first two events of the season.
Robinson, a sophomore from Front Royal, Va., went 5-0 with four falls on the way to his first title of the season at 141 pounds at the Cougar Open hosted by Averett University. Robinson, competing unattached in the event, opened with a fall after 31-seconds over Juston Shifflet from McDaniel. He then pinned Ferrum's Jonathan Ward following just 23-seconds of action. Robinson was leading his quarterfinal opponent, Enrique Sanchez from Bluefield State, 4-0 when he had to retire at the 3:13 mark due to injury. In the semifinals, Robinson pinned teammate Nick Kaufmann at 3:34, and then decked unattached Mauricio Reyes at 5:00-even to claim the crown.
Dixon, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., is the first ODAC Wrestler of the Week from the heavier five weight classes following his victory at 285-pounds at the Mount Union Invitational. Dixon's 4-0 record include two wins by fall, a major decision victory, and a win by decision. He topped Tarez Russell from NWCA nationally 15th-ranked Ohio Northern in his first bout, pinning him at 2:58 of the match. He then followed with a 3-1 decision over Joe Yanis from SUNY Brockport. Dixon dominated Ely Reese from Gannon University with a 14-4 major decision in the semifinals. In the championship, Dixon decked second-seeded Logan Painter from ONU at 2:51 to secure the heavyweight title. Dixon's effort helped Ferrum to fifth in the team standings.
Siu, a senior from Durham, N.C., made good on his first appearance for the Cougars following his transfer from Greensboro College by winning the 149-pound weight class at the Adrian College Invitational to become the first ODAC Wrestler of the Week for the five lightest weight classes. Siu won the championship with a pin over Gavin Andreoni from Campbellsville University at 6:23 of the match. That was his second straight fall after topping Gavinn Alstott from Wabash College just 1:25 into the bout. Siu won by technical fall at 18-3 over Thomas Wagner from Case Western Reserve in the quarterfinals. His first round victory over Shamique Bryant from Defiance College came via a 12-2 major decision. Siu's efforts helped Averett to second place out of 15 teams with the Cougars trailing only 2022 national runner-up Wabash.
Rayshawn Dixon, Ferrum, Jr., 285 lbs.
February 06, 2023Dixon, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., capped his regular season with two more pins to help Ferrum to a 1-1 showing in dual matches against ODAC competition. Dixon, ranked fifth in the country and second in the Atlantic South Region by the NWCA at 285 pounds, collected the first of his two falls in a 31-14 loss to Roanoke. He collected his eighth pin of the season over Brady Elswick with 2:54 gone in the bout. Dixon improved to 26-1 overall with his ninth pin as part of a 35-13 victory over Southern Virginia University. Dixon earned the fall victory at 4:23 over Igor Lakicevic.
