LEXINGTON, Va. – The Old Dominion Athletic Conference released its 2023-24 Wrestling Preseason Poll and Washington and Lee University was tied for first place with Roanoke College with 31 points each. 

The Generals picked up three first place votes, Roanoke received two and third-ranked Averett was picked atop the poll twice for 30 points.

2022-23 ODAC Season Recap

• Competition was strong throughout the ODAC dual meet schedule with three teams separating at the top; tri-champions were declared as Averett, Roanoke, and Washington and Lee all finished with 5-1 records.
• Shenandoah served as hosts for the ODAC Wrestling Championships, which featured six- or seven-wrestler brackets at each weight class with full back-draw for enhanced competition.
• Five the ODAC's schools saw wrestlers claim individual championships, but it was Washington and Lee that collected the team trophy with 135.5 points to out-pace Averett (122.0) and Roanoke (117.0).

2023-24 ODAC Wrestling Preseason Poll

T1 - Washington and Lee University (3) 31 pts.
T1 - Roanoke College (2) 31 pts.
3 - Averett University (2) 30 pts.
4 - Ferrum College 21 pts.
5 -Greensboro College 13 pts.
6 - Southern Virginia University 12 pts.
7 - Shenandoah University 9 pts.

2023-24 ODAC Wrestler Preseason Rankings 

For the first time in league history, the ODAC's wrestling coaches have determined a preliminary set of preseason individual rankings in prelude to the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Each conference coach submitted a full dual meet-style lineup with one wrestler per weight. The coaches submitted votes ranking the 70 nominees - seven for each of 10 weight classes. The result is a top-four ranking for each weight class, represented by a preseason All-ODAC three plus one wrestler deemed most likely to crack into that top-three.

Below are the ODAC Wrestling Preseason Individual Rankings. For more information on ODAC wrestling, visit the websites of any of the participating schools or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at odaconline.com.

125 POUNDS

1. Mason Barrett, Jr., Averett
2. Mac Cafurello, Jr., Roanoke
3. Adrian Samano, So., Ferrum
4. David Rubin, Jr., Washington and Lee

133 POUNDS

1. Sean Hall, Jr., Roanoke
2. Rubyn Semedo, So., Ferrum
3. Sean Rinebolt, So., Shenandoah
4. Daniel Porter, Sr., Averett

141 POUNDS

1. Josh Wison, Jr., Greensboro
2. Mark Samuel, So., Roanoke
3. Harris Foad, Jr., Washington and Lee
4. Jon Ward, Sr., Ferrum

149 POUNDS

1. Hunter Campbell, Jr., Averett
2. Morgan Robinson, Jr., Roanoke
3. Eli Blackwell, Jr., Southern Virginia
4. Colin Bridges, Jr., Washington and Lee

157 POUNDS

1. Zane Cox, So., Roanoke
2. Xavier Swanson, So., Averett
3. Tyler Ramirez, Sr., Ferrum
4. Nic Zamaloff, Jr., Washington and lee

165 POUNDS

1. Anthony Taylor, Jr., Averett
2. Mark Troni, So., Washington and Lee
3. Jacob Cherry, So., Roanoke
4. Jalen Cornelius, Sr., Shenandoah

174 POUNDS

1. Harrison Kelly, Sr., Washington and Lee
2. Khalil Mitchell, Jr., Averett
3. Dylan Weaver, Sr., Shenandoah
4. Kyle Lee, So., Roanoke

184 POUNDS

1. George Moseley, Sr., Averett
2. Ethan Fragoso, Sr., Ferrum
3. Christos Augeros, Sr., Roanoke
4. Jack McCusker, Jr., Washington and Lee

197 POUNDS

1. John Sedovy, Sr., Washington and Lee
2. Jamar Christian, Jr., Averett
3. Khalil Belk, Sr., Greensboro
4. Cam Cavins, So., Roanoke

285 POUNDS

1. Ray Dixon, Sr., Ferrum
2. Sheldon Davis, Jr., Averett
3. Brady Elswick, Jr., Roanoke
4. Porter Trapp, Jr., Southern Virginia

2023-24 Schedule Overview

The Generals will open up competition with a dual against Southern Virginia University on November 4 at 6 p.m., the contest is an ODAC match and will count towards the regular season final standings.

W&L will wrestle three more times before the holiday break at the Raccich Rumble (November 11), Scotty Wood Duals (November 18) and the New Standard Invite (December 1-2).

After the break W&L will host the Jim Crytzer Invitational (January 6) and partake in duals at home against Greensboro (January 5), Averett (January 27) and Stevens (February 2). 

The ODAC Dual schedule concludes with matches on the road at Shenandoah (January 18),  Roanoke (January 20) and Ferrum (February 10). 

The Generals will wrestle at the Budd Whitehill Duals (January 12-13) and the Southeast Futures Invite (February 3).

the ODAC postseason tournament will be held in Danville, Va. on the campus of Averett University on February 17. The NCAA Regional Championships will follow on March 1-2. 

ALL-ODAC RETURNERS

NEW FACES ON STAFF

Washington and Lee University's head wrestling coach, Nathan Shearer, recently announced that Ryan Luth '23 has returned to Lexington as a member of the program's coaching staff.

Luth, the most decorated wrestler in program history, will contribute in all aspects of the program from recruiting, operations and day-to-day coaching duties.

The Milford, Connecticut native completed his collegiate wrestling career with three NCAA All-America Honors, one regional championship title and three individual conference championships, all at the 157 lbs. weight class

Luth helped the Generals earn three conference titles during his time at W&L. Last year the Blue and White were co-champions of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference regular season title and ran away with the conference tournament team trophy. Luth was also crowned the ODAC's Most Valuable Wrestler after his dominant Pinchester performance.

The recent graduate capped his senior year by receiving the men's sport "Pres" Brown Most Valuable Athlete Award in addition to being named W&L's Athlete of the Year in back-to-back campaigns.

"Being a part of the wrestling team at W&L shaped my life in ways that I couldn't have predicted," stated Luth.  "I am extremely grateful to have had all the resources, support, mentors and people around me that helped me reach my full potential as a student-athlete. The family I found at W&L through this team and athletic department is one that I will forever be thankful for and I'm incredibly excited to give back to this program, university and community in this new role."