DANVILLE, Va. - The Allen University men's wrestling team opened their season on Sunday competing in the D-3 Averett Cougar University Open in Virginia.

Returning junior All-American Michael Jackson led the Jackets with his 6th place finish at 184 lbs. Jackson lost his first match of the day to the eventual champion of the tournament from Washington & Lee (Va.), but he then battled back in the consolation bracket with four consecutive wins including three by fall and another by major decision to go 4-2 on the day. Two of Jackson's falls were in the first period while he also scored 20 points in his major decision win 20-6. Jackson then fell to a D-3 Marymount (Va.) grappler in his fifth place bout. 

Also finishing high in his weight class was junior Christian Poplous at 197 lbs as he went 3-2 on the day to finish in the top 12 of his weight class that featured 26 grapplers.
Poplous had a decision win 10-8, a major decision 15-7 win and a forfeit win on his record as he fell in a last-second fall in his consolation bout, just one win from a top-8 finish.

Heavyweight Emmanuel Velasquez also went 1-2 on the day tallying a victory by fall on his record. Allen then had two grapplers compete at 165 lbs on the day with sophomore Ya'Donnis Hardaway going 1-2 with a second period fall over Ferrum (Va.) in his opening bout while junior teammate Terrance Mills had a great effort but went 0-2 on the afternoon.

Junior 149 pounder Drevon Wallace, pictured above, went 3-2 on the day finishing in the top 12 of his weight class as well. Wallace started off his day with a medical forfeit win before falling by major decision to Marymount. He then battled back in the consolations with 12-3 and 4-3 decision wins before falling 9-7 in a heartbreaker to the eventual 6th placer from Roanoke.

Junior Nyshaad Hannon then wrestled well at 133 lbs winning his opening match by a first period pin before dropping into the consolation bracket. He then reeled off back to back pins to advance to the top 12 of his weight class where he then fell by fall with a chance to move into the top eight. Hannon finished 3-2 on the day with three wins by fall. 

Finally, junior Justin Kelly and freshman Quincy Gash each went 0-2 on the day at 125 and 141 lbs respectively in their season debuts. Gash lost a tight 13-9 decision in his consolation draw.

The Yellow Jacket grapplers will next be in action on Thursday when they head down to the Greenwood, SC Duals to battle host Lander University and Emory & Henry in an afternoon tri-match. Action begins at 1:00 PM.