BELMONT, N.C. – The regionally ranked No. 3 Coker wrestling team improved to 10-1 in dual matches this season with a 23-12 victory over Belmont Abbey on Saturday (Jan. 17) afternoon.

The match was full of fireworks from start to finish beginning with a huge upset victory by Mikel Nelson at the 125-pound weight class. Nelson defeated nationally/regionally ranked No.7/No.1 Patrick Mestrez 2-1 in overtime. Derrick Nelson continued the excitement in the 133-pound division as he pinned his opponent one minute and thirty-six seconds into the match, giving Coker a 9-0 lead.

After dropping a match at 141, Rashad Cunningham picked up a major decision, 15-3, at 149 to give Coker a 13-3 lead. The Abbey earned a pair of decision victories at 157 and 165, making it a 13-9 match in favor of the Cobras.

Back-to-back decisions by Rocco Hladney and Luis Peguero at 174 and 184 extended the Cobras led to 19-9. Robert Parland's major decision victory at 197-pounds put Coker on top 23-9 and after a loss at heavyweight class Coker took home the 23-12 victory.

The Cobras will return action on Wednesday (Jan. 21) when they travel to UNC Pembroke to take on the regionally ranked No. 2 Braves. The dual match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Coker 23, Belmont Abbey 12

125 Mikel Nelson (Coker College) def. Patrick Mestrez (Belmont Abbey) 2-1 OT

133 Derrick Nelson (Coker College) def. William Rees (Belmont Abbey) Fall, 1:36

141 William James (Belmont Abbey) def. ReSean McArthur (Coker College) 8-2

149 Rashad Cunningham (Coker College) def. Trevor Tucker (Belmont Abbey) MD, 15-3

157 Daniel Callahan (Belmont Abbey) def. Derek Rothermel (Coker College) 8-4

165 Jake Glunt (Belmont Abbey) def.Derrick Booth (Coker College) 8-2

174 Rocco Hladney (Coker College) def. Patrick Argast (Belmont Abbey) 7-3

184 Luis Peguero (Coker College) def. Gerry Vassil (Belmont Abbey) 4-2

197 Robert Parland (Coker College) def. Coburn Burroughs (Belmont Abbey) MD 8-0

285 Chaas Delgado (Belmont Abbey) def. John-Allen Griswold (Coker College) 2-0