HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker wrestling team will head north this weekend to take part in the 35th Annual Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis. The Cobras will join 29 teams representing Divisions II and III and the NAIA from various colleges and university from across the nation at the two-day event beginning on Saturday (Dec. 14) and concluding on Sunday (Dec. 15).
Included in the field are 24 All-Americans, and 17 national and regional qualifiers.
"This will be one of the toughest tournaments we will compete in all season," said head coach Cy Wainwright. "We are up to the challenge though, and we look forward to seeing where we rank against some of the best teams in the country."
The Cobras will look to Gavin Perkins, Charlie Huff, Kevin Thompson and Austin Akins for leadership during the Midwest Classic. Perkins had an outstanding showing at the Newberry Duals last weekend. The 125-pounder was a perfect 3-0 on the day and has picked up 10 wins so far this season for the Cobras.
Huff comes into the Classic with a team leading 13 victories on the year. Wrestling at the 133-pound division, Huff is the only Coker wrestler to have won a tournament title. He was the champion of the 133-pound division at the 33rd Annual Pembroke Classic earlier this season.
Thompson will take the mat at the 149-pound division for the Cobras this weekend. Like Perkins, he was also 3-0 last week at the Newberry Duals. Included in his victories was a pair of pins. On the year he ranks second on the team in wins with 12, and he leads the team in pins with four.
Akins comes into the Classic looking to capture his first tournament title of the year. Wrestling at the 285-pound division, Akins placed second in the first tournament of the year, The Citadel Open. So far this season he is tied for second on the team in wins with Thompson at 12.
Live coverage of the 35th Annual Midwest Classic will begin at 10 a.m. on both days and will be available at www.trackwrestling.com, search "Midwest Classic".