FOREST, Va. -- For the first time since 1980, the ODAC will host a conference championship in wrestling with the newest member picked to win the title.
Averett University is picked to win the ODAC in the 2022-23 Preseason Coaches' Poll as released by the conference office. The Cougars received four first-place votes along with 31 points. Right behind them Washington and Lee received 30 points and the final three first-place votes.
The Maroons, in just their second season of competition, are picked third with 27 points with Coach Nate Yetzer's former team in Ferrum is picked fourth with 24 points. Shenandoah (14), Southern Virginia (11), and Greensboro (10) round out the seven team ODAC field.
Roanoke will look to build on the success they had just a year ago finishing third at the SEWC Championship and a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Mahlic Sallah was named the most outstanding wrestler at the SEWC Championships after winning the 184 lb title and followed up by winning the regional title as well. At the NCAA Championship, Sallah became the first Maroon to be named All-American with a seventh-place finish.
This season, the Maroons host a trio of tournaments including the upcoming Southeast Open Nov. 5, the 2022 Star City Classic (Nov. 20) and the 2023 Southeast Futures Championship on February 19.
Several road tournaments will once again be featured on the schedule with the 2022 Cougar Open (Nov. 13 - Averett), the 2022 Blue Jay Invitational (Dec. 3 - Elizabethtown), 2022 Citrus Invitational (Dec. 29-30 - Fort Lauderdale), 2023 Crytzer Memorial Tournament (Jan. 7 - W&L), 2023 Virginia Duals (Jan. 13-14 - Hampton), and the 2023 Pete Wilson Invitational (Feb. 27-28 - Wheaton).
Roanoke will host three ODAC duals this season with Shenandoah (Dec. 8), Greensboro (Jan. 19), and Averett (Feb. 7) all visiting the Cregger Center. Road conference duals include Washington and Lee (Nov. 17), Southern Virginia (Jan. 11), and Ferrum (Feb. 2).
The 2023 ODAC Championshps will take place Saturday, February 19 at Shenandoah with the NCAA Southeast Regional taking place in Greensboro on February 24 and 25. The 2023 NCAA Div. III Championships will take place across town at the Berglund Center in Roanoke March 10-11, hosted by Ferrum College.
