Samano named ODAC lighter weight wrestler of the week
FOREST, Va. – With a clean sweep of matches and a bracket title, Averett University men's wrestling senior Adrian Samano collected the ODAC lighter weight wrestler of the week, announced by the conference offices on Monday afternoon.
Samano, a 125-pound wrestler from Virginia Beach, Virginia, went 4-0 in his first action of 2026-27 at the annual Averett Cougar Open last Saturday. Nationally ranked No. 8 in his weight class per the National Wrestling Coaches' Association (NWCA), and first in Region IV, Samano won his first two main draw matches by fall. In the semifinals versus Bluefield State's Larry Rhodes, Samano eked past Rhodes with a 4-2 decision win to advance to the finals.
In the first-place match against Noke Wrestling's Ryan Saunders, Samano showed his might, as he grinded his way through three full rounds en route to an 8-5 win by decision and the bracket championship.
This is Samano's first ODAC wrestler of the week honor in an Averett uniform, and first since he was formerly at Ferrum College. Samano previously took lighter weight wrestler of the week laurels back on Jan. 29, 2024, at 125 pounds. Samano is already the third Cougar wrestler to earn a player of the week award this season, as he joins fellow teammates Luke Zadrazil and Carter Shupert.
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