By: Jake Miller
INDIANAPOLIS, IN.- Eight Cobras advanced to the second day of NCAA wrestling regional competition on Friday (Feb. 26).
Charlie Huff, Derrick Nelson, Jordon Tague, Rashad Cunningham, Jamal Lackey, Derrick Booth, Luis Peguero and Austin Akins all put up impressive opening days to advance in the competition.
Huff (125) won two of his three bouts, earning a win by tech fall (18-2) in the first and a 12-3 major decision in his third bout. Nelson (133) earned two wins by fall, securing the pin in his first match at 2:27 of the first period and needing just 31 seconds to earn the pin in his second bout. The two wins earned Nelson a berth in the semifinals and a chance to advance to the Division II national championships.
Tague (149) went 1-1 on the first day, losing via tech fall in his first match but rebounding with a tech fall win of his own (19-3) in his second match. Cunningham (157) earned two wins on the day, one by decision (5-3) and a win by fall in 1:18. Cunningham's two wins earned him a spot in the tournament semifinals, with the chance to advance to the Division II national championships
Lackey (165) notched two wins by fall to advance in the competition, the first coming in just 25 seconds while the second occurred 17 seconds into the second period. Booth (174) notched a 1-1 effort on day one, losing by major decision but rebounding with a 7-2 decision win in his second bout.
Peguero (184) won two out of his three bouts on day one, notching two close decision wins. He was victorious in his first bout coming up with a 2-1 win, and after a loss he would come up with a huge 3-2 win by decision to seal a spot among those advancing. Austin Akins (285) rounded out Coker's advancing group, going 2-1 during the first day. Akins notched a tech fall win (17-2) in his first bout, and rebounded after a loss to win by decision 3-2 to cement a spot in day two.
The action begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 27). The top four placers at each weight class earn a berth at the Division II national championships. Live stats are available at www.trackwrestling.com.