Lexington, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's wrestling team closed out their conference championship with a fifth-place finish at the 2025 ODAC Championship, hosted by Washington and Lee University. The Knights totaled 65 team points, with multiple wrestlers earning great finishes in their respective weight classes.

Matthew Papa (125 lbs.) led the way with a fourth-place finish. After securing an opening-round major decision victory (13-3), Papa battled through the consolation bracket, beating Anakin Burks (Shenandoah) 5-4 before falling in the third-place match.

Francisco Ramirez (133 lbs.), Porter Kinne (149 lbs.), Noah James (165 lbs.), Ikia Garcia (184 lbs.), and Britton Sorenson (197 lbs.) each secured fifth-place finishes. Ramirez ended his tournament on a high note with a fall in the fifth-place match, while Kinne dominated with a 17-2 tech fall to claim his final bout. James closed out his season with an 18-14 decision victory, and Garcia avenged an earlier loss to defeat Joesph Toner (Ferrum) 6-5. Sorenson also made a statement in his final match, winning by pin in just 35 seconds.

Tyson Hoopes (174 lbs.) and Porter Trapp (285 lbs.) each finished sixth in their respective brackets, with Hoopes picking up a second-round fall victory and Trapp advancing through the bracket before dropping a hard-fought final match. Richie Kulessa (141 lbs.) also placed sixth, battling through the consolation rounds with a forfeit win.

The Knights displayed resilience throughout the tournament, with strong performances from their younger wrestlers. Southern Virginia now ahead at the NCAA Region 4 Championship hosted by Averett University. 

For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wrestling on Instagram.