The Panther wrestling team competed Feb. 18, at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships, held at Averett University’s Grant Center, and placed fifth of seven teams.

The team scores throughout the tournament were: 1. Averett 146; 2. Washington and Lee 142.5; 3. Roanoke 115; 4. Shenandoah 93.5; 5. Ferrum 86.5; 6. Greensboro 49; 7. Southern Virginia 38.

The Panthers had one finalist in Adrian Samano, sophomore, who finished 1-1 on the day at 125 pounds with a loss to top-seeded and #6 ranked Madon Barret from Averett in the finals.

Earlier in the day, Samano, ranked #14, posted a 16-0 tech fall over Washington and Lee’s David Rubin. Samano was named 2nd team All-ODAC for his finish.

Placing third for the Panthers was Richard Albert, freshman, at 133 pounds. Albert lost his opening match but then posted three straight wins to claim third place, including a 23-3 tech fall over Shenandoah’s Sean Rinebolt in the third-place match. For his efforts, Albert earned All-ODAC 3rd team honors.

Placing fourth for the Panthers were Joseph Olalde, sophomore, (149), Franklin Melton, freshman (174), and Trent Ray, junior, (285). Mateo Villalobos, sophomore, (157), and Ethan Fragoso, senior (197) both placed fifth, while Tyler Ramirez, senior,  (165), and Joseph Toner, freshman, (184) finished sixth.

Here are the team results:

125 – Adrian Samano 1-1, 2nd place

Semifinal – Adrian Samano (Ferrum) won by tech fall over David Rubin (Washington & Lee) (16-0)

Finals: Mason Barrett (Averett) over Adrian Samano (Ferrum) (4-2)

 133 – Richard Albert 3-1, 3rd place

Quarterfinal – Josh Noble (Roanoke) won by major decision over Richard Albert (Ferrum) (12-4)

Cons. Round 1 – Richard Albert (Ferrum) won by tech fall over John Carlson (Southern Virginia) (2:08 21-6)

Cons. Semi – Richard Albert (Ferrum) won by decision over Trey Custodio (Washington & Lee) (4-3)

3rd Place Match – Richard Albert (Ferrum) won by tech fall over Sean Rinebolt (Shenandoah) (3:29 23-3)

141 – Walker Bell 0-2

Quarterfinal – Mark Samuel (Roanoke) 2-0 won by tech fall over Walker Bell (Ferrum) ( 2:34 16-0)

Cons. Round 1 – Hunter Ballantine (Shenandoah) 20-13 won by fall over Walker Bell (Ferrum) (0:54)

149 – Joseph Olalde 1-1, 4th place

Quarterfinal – Elijah Blackwell (Southern Virginia) won by decision over Joseph Olalde (Ferrum) (7-1)

Cons. Semi-Joseph Olalde (Ferrum) won by major decision over Zachary Turner (Roanoke) (16-7)

3rd Place Match – Jesse Alvarado (Averett) won by medical forfeit over Joseph Olalde (Ferrum)

157 – Mateo Villalobos 2-2, 5th place

Quarterfinal – Mateo Villalobos (Ferrum) won by tech fall over Ethan Kring (Greensboro) (6:35 25-10)

Semifinal – Nic Zamaloff (Washington & Lee) won by tech fall over Mateo Villalobos (Ferrum) (3:52 18-2)

Cons. Semi – Cannon Long (Shenandoah) won by fall over Mateo Villalobos (Ferrum) 2-2 (4:34)

5th Place Match – Mateo Villalobos (Ferrum) won by tech fall over Ethan Kring (Greensboro) (3:00 (17-0)

165 – Tyler Ramirez 1-2, 6th place

Quarterfinal – Jacob Cherry (Roanoke) won by fall over Tyler Ramirez (Ferrum) (3:29)

Cons. Round 1 – Tyler Ramirez (Ferrum) won by fall over Nicholas Menjivar (Greensboro) 6-15 (Fall 0:47)

Cons. Semi – Jalen Cornelius (Shenandoah) won in sudden victory – 1 over Tyler Ramirez (Ferrum) (7-4)

5th Place Match – Calvin Fillmore (Southern Virginia) won by medical forfeit over Tyler Ramirez (Ferrum)

174 – Franklin Melton 2-2, 4th place

Quarterfinal – Jak Krouse (Washington & Lee) won by major decision over Franklin Melton (Ferrum) (14-1)

Cons. Round 1 – Franklin Melton (Ferrum) won by tech fall over Luke Gregory (Greensboro) ( 4:11 17-0)

Cons. Semi – Franklin Melton (Ferrum) won by decision over Dylan Weaver (Shenandoah) 24-8 (7-5)

3rd Place Match – Jak Krouse (Washington & Lee) won by decision over Franklin Melton (Ferrum) (4-2)

184 – Joseph Toner 0-3, 6th place

Semifinal – George Moseley (Averett) won by fall over Joseph Toner (Ferrum) (1:29)

Cons. Semi – Omori Lee (Greensboro) won by decision over Joseph Toner (Ferrum) (9-4)

5th Place Match – Alex Taylor (Roanoke) won by decision over Joseph Toner (Ferrum) (9-5)

197 – Ethan Fragoso 2-2, 5th place

Quarterfinal – Khalil Belk (Greensboro) won by decision over Ethan Fragoso (Ferrum) (11-4)

Cons. Round 1 – Ethan Fragoso (Ferrum) won by fall over Weston Memmott (Southern Virginia) (2:27)

Cons. Semi – Jamar Christian (Averett) won by major decision over Ethan Fragoso (Ferrum) (17-8)

5th Place Match – Ethan Fragoso (Ferrum) won by fall over George Vrachnos (Shenandoah) (4:38) 

285 – Trent Ray 2-2, 4th place

Quarterfinal – Trent Ray (Ferrum) won by decision over Daniel Basil-Barker (Shenandoah) (7-1)

Semifinal – Trent Ragland (Averett) won by fall over Trent Ray (Ferrum) (2:46)

Cons. Semi – Trent Ray (Ferrum) won by fall over Porter Trapp (Southern Virginia) (1:25)

3rd Place Match – Brady Elswick (Roanoke) won by decision over Trent Ray (Ferrum) (4-1)

Coach Logan Meister’s team will now prep for the NCAA Southeast Regional, to be held Fri., and Sat., March 1-2, at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. The tournament is the qualifier for the NCAA Div. III Wrestling Championships March 15-16 in La Crosse, WI.