HARTSVILLE, S.C. – On Saturday (Nov. 9) the Cobra wrestling team will hit the road to take part in the 33rd Annual Pembroke Classic at UNC Pembroke. The classic is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at UNCP's English E. Jones Center.
Featuring wrestlers from over 22 colleges and universities from around the Southeast, the Classic will pit grapplers from several Division I, Division II, NAIA, junior college and club wrestling programs against each other. The Cobras will face some familiar foes, including wrestlers from The Citadel, NC State, Appalachian State, Gardener-Webb and Duke.
Taking to the mat for the Cobras will be freshmen Gavin Perkins and Mikel Nelson in the 125-pound division, while junior Charlie Huff and freshman RaSean McArthur will wrestle in the 133-pound division. Representing Coker in the 141-pound division will be sophomore Rashad Cunningham and freshman Joe Fought. Freshmen Walker Barfield and Kevin Thompson will take part in the 149-pound division, and junior JD Dykes and freshman Trey Arant will compete in the 157-pound division. Freshman Joseph Holland, along with sophomores Phillip Burrows and Zach Dicus will take part of the 174-pound division, while freshman Jacob Ralph will wrestle in the 184-pound division. Freshman Robert Parland will be the lone Cobra at the 197-pound division, and sophomore Austin Akins will compete at the 285-pound division.
After taking second and fourth place in their respective weight classes, Akins and Cunningham will be looking for continued success at the Classic. Also looking to improve on last week's performance will be Perkins and Thompson, who earned multiple victories at the Citadel Open.
A full recap of the tournament, along with results will be available on www.cokercobras.com at the conclusion of the event.