FOREST, Va. – The Roanoke College wrestling team was picked to win its fourth-straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) title Thursday with the release of the conference's pre-season poll, voted on by the league's coaches.

Predictions were also voted on in all 10 individual weight classes, with six Maroons tabbed to win titles.

Three seasons of ODAC wrestling have seen three years with Roanoke at least sharing the top spot in the league table. The Maroons went 7-0 in conference dual matches, marking them 13-0 over the last two years and 18-1 since the restart. Washington and Lee (16-3) and Averett (14-5) have featured in the top-three with RC in each season, with the Generals going 6-1 and the Cougars posting a 5-2 record last year.

ODAC wrestlers shined at the Southeast Regional Championships with 14 standouts qualifying for the national championships at all but one weight class.

For the second straight season, history was made with Roanoke's Mark Samuel winning the national title at 141-pounds. Greensboro's Wilson donned the same crown in 2024.

Five wrestlers were recognized as All-Americans.
Averett: Mason Barrett finished 3rd at 125 pounds.
Ferrum: Zach Beckner finished 4th at 125 pounds, while Rayshawn Dixon placed 4th at 285 pounds.
Greensboro: Josh Wilson finished 5th at 141 pounds.
Roanoke: Mark Samuel won the national title at 141 pounds
 
ODAC WRESTLING PRESEASON POLL

1. Roanoke College (6)                36 pts.
2. Washington and Lee (1)          31 pts.
3. Averett University                   26 pts.
4. Shenandoah University           19 pts.
5. Greensboro College                15 pts.
6. Southern Virginia                    13 pts.
7. Randolph College                    7 pts.

 
125 POUNDS

1. Mac Cafurello, RC
2. Adrian Samano, AU
3. Anakin Burks, SU

 
133 POUNDS

1. Vincent Ziccardi, WLU
2. Jude Robson, RC
3. Anthony Orlando III, AU

 
141 POUNDS

1. Mark Samuel, RC
2. Skyler Hickman, WLU
3. Sean Rinebolt, SU

 
149 POUNDS

1. Taylor Smith, RC
2. Evan Lindner, WLU
3. Landon Neal, AU

 
157 POUNDS

1. Casey Smith, RC
2. Colin Bridges, WLU
3. Carter Shupert, AU

3. Hunter Ballantine, SU

 
165 POUNDS

1. Mark Troni, WLU
2. Xavier Swanson, AU
3. Kyle Lee, RC

 
174 POUNDS

1. Xavier Preston, RC
2. Jacob Wright, WLU
3. Michael Gabbard, AU

3. Ethan King, GBRO

 
184 POUNDS

1. Vincenzo Corvetto, RC
2. Nolan Gerwitz, AU
3. Harrison Hoopes, SVU

 
197 POUNDS

1. John Santowski, WLU
2. Hunter Moore, RC
3. Jacob Jimenez, AU

 
285 POUNDS

1. Carter Stack, WLU
2. Nicholas Cook, RC
3. Carter Erickson, AU