The Averett Wrestling Team is gearing up for the postseason as they approach the end of their regular season with a few matches remaining. The Cougars, with a remarkable record of 19-6, have had an outstanding year so far. They have emerged victorious in prestigious tournaments such as the Penn College Invitational and Cougar Duals. Additionally, they have produced champions and placers in events like the Cougar Open, Messiah Petrofes Invitational, and Penn College Invitational.

Sam Braswell, an assistant coach, Averett alumni, and three-time All-American, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. Despite being slightly behind in terms of progression, Braswell believes that the team is performing well. He emphasized the importance of consistency among the team members, stating that if they can maintain a higher level of consistency, they will be in a good position moving forward.

The Cougars have yet to achieve any of their end-of-season goals, as mentioned by assistant coach Braswell, who stated, “There are still more things to check off the list.” However, one notable accomplishment this season was the Cougars’ victory over division 1 Queens, marking their second division 1 win in the history of the program.

While the Cougars may appear to be performing exceptionally well from an outsider’s perspective, our interview with Braswell revealed that they have encountered missed opportunities.“The Washington and Lee Dual definitely was a missed step. Especially because we were very close to a win. But I think it will help us in the long run with the preparation for regionals and nationals.”

The cougars have their sights set on the next challenge: qualifying their 10 starters for the national tournament and securing a couple of all Americans at the national tournament. This would be the perfect way to emphasize the exclamation point on their already remarkable season.