Allen Places 8 at Averett Open
DANVILLE, VA - The Allen University men's wrestling team had a terrific showing Sunday at the Div. III Averett Cougar Open placing eight grapplers in the top 6 of their respective weight classes.
They were led by senior Nyshaad Hannon, who placed 6th at 133 lbs as he went 4-2 with two falls, a tech fall and a 9-5 decision before dropping a heartbreaking 14-12 decision in the 5th place match. Freshman Mikade Harvey then placed 4th at 141 lbs going 2-2 in the championship bracket with a fall before losing in the semifinals and is believed to be the highest placement for a true freshman in Allen wrestling history.
Fellow 141 pounder, junior Eric Cain wrestled well in the consolations also going 4-2 to place 7th.
Senior Christian Poplous had a stellar tournament as well going 3-2 with two major decisions and a fall in the championship bracket to place 4th at 197 lbs. Senior Returning All-American, senior Drevon Wallace also placed 7th going 5-2 wining three matches by fall and two by technical fall while junior James Dagin placed 5th at 157 lbs going 6-1, winning six straight matches after dropping his opener.
Junior Ya'Donnis Hardaway also went 2-2 at 165 lbs with a fall while senior Reco Robinson also went 2-2 at 125 lbs. Then, Returning All-American, senior MJ Jackson finished 7th at 174 lbs going 3-2 with a fall, tech fall, and decision win after losing his opening match 9-7. Freshman Jerrel Baskin also placed 7th going 4-2 at 184 lb with two falls while teammate Alex Dorce went 2-2 at 184. Sophomore Emmanuel Velazquez went 2-2 as well at 197 lbs with a fall and decision to finish in the top 12 of his weight class.
Also winning individual matches and going 1-2 at the Averett open were sophomore Quincy Gash at 149, freshman Dharrin Smith at 157, and freshmen heavyweights Chandler Allen and Jervey Sistrunk.