FERRUM, Virginia -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) has announced its Athletes of the Week and Ferrum College senior Rayshawn Dixon has been named Heavier Weight Wrestler of the Week. This is Dixon's second ODAC Wrestler of the Week award this season and his 10th career honor.

Dixon posted a perfect 5-0 mark in winning the rugged Pete Willson Invitational (PWI), hosted by Wheaton College Friday and Saturday, January 31 through February 1, in Wheaton, Illinois. Included in Dixon's two-day run in the 285-pound weight class were a pin, three major decisions and a decision.

In his semifinal win, Dixon mad an impressive 19-7 major decision over Myles Johnson of Ohio Northern University, ranked #13 in the nation by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). He then posted a 13-6 decision in the title match over Josh Woodrey (#15 NWCA) of Augustana University.

Dixon outscored his opponents by a combined 57-16 over his five matches at the PWI, to earn his third career title. The title makes him the first Ferrum wrestler to earn three titles at the prestigious event. Current Ferrum Head Wrestling Coach Logan Meister and Dixon were tied with two titles each coming into the weekend.

Currently ranked #2 in the nation, Dixon is 21-1 overall this season with his lone loss coming at the hands of an NCAA Division I opponent back in early November to open the season. He has five pins, two tech falls and seven major decisions included in his 2024-25 season stat line.

Dixon at Pete Willson Invitational
Champ. Round 1 - Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) major decision over Aidan Trujillo (North Central) (MD 11-1)
Champ. Round 2 - Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) major decision over David Ortiz (Elmhurst) (MD 11-2)
Quarterfinal - Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) by fall over Jackson Brinker (Cornell) (Fall 1:07, led 3-0 before the pin)
Semifinal - Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) major decision over Myles Johnson (Ohio Northern) (MD 19-7)
1st Place Match - Rayshawn Dixon (Ferrum) over Josh Woodrey (Augustana) (Dec 13-6)

Coach Meister's team has a pair of home ODAC matches this week. The Panthers take on Averett University Thursday, February 6, then host Southern Virginia University Saturday, February 8. Both matches are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. and the SVU match will be preceded by a Senior Night ceremony for five graduating wrestlers.