Wrestling Prepares for First ECAC Season, Ranked Eighth in Super Region Two

The Coker wrestling team enters the 2015-16 season with four individuals ranked and the team ranked eighth in Super Region Two. This will be the first season for Coker in the Eastern College Athletic Conference.  The ECAC includes Belmont Abbey, Emmanuel, King, Limestone, Newberry and UNC Pembroke.

Senior Charlie Huff (No. 3, 125), senior Derrick Nelson (No. 6, 133), sophomore Luis Peguero (No. 4, 184) and senior Austin Akins (No. 4, 285) all placed in the preseason Super Region Two rankings. Having four wrestlers ranked puts Coker in a tie for the most in the Super Region.

"I would suspect us to be in the thick of it as far as a conference championship," said head coach Cy Wainwright.

The team has a wealth of experience mixed with some fresh faces poised to make their mark early.

"We return a very upperclassmen-heavy team, and I think we have all the kids in the right places to make a chance for a conference championship this season," said Wainwright. Included in the returning upperclassmen is a group of nine seniors.

As for the schedule the Cobras will face, they look forward to their first home dual match with St. Andrews on November 11.  The first of major competitions will be December 18 at the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, IN. The Cobras will host two major events in the Coker Duals (Jan. 8) and the Super Region Duals (Jan. 29).

The Cobras open the season this Sunday (Nov. 1) at the Citadel Open in Charleston, S.C. Coker had success last year at the tournament when they had four wrestlers place in the top four of their weight class, including Travis Laxton winning at 125 pounds.