Wainwright, Five Cobras Bring Home ECAC Wrestling Honors

By: Jake Miller

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker wrestling racked up the postseason honors in its first season as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Bench boss Cy Wainwright was tabbed Coach of the Year, while Austin Akins, Charlie Huff, Derrick Nelson, Jamal Lackey and Derrick Booth earned All-Conference honors.

Wainwright in his third season at Coker led the Cobras to a 14-3 record in dual matches and a 4-2 mark in the ECAC, good for a second place finish. Five wrestlers were picked to All-Academic teams, and the team earned a 3.149 grade point average. Wainwright also coached Coker's first wrestling All-American in Akins.

At 285 pounds, Akins was the lone Cobra selected to the All-ECAC first team. Akins was the headline at the end of the season, earning a trip to nationals and finishing fourth to become Coker's first-ever wrestling All-American. The senior went 25-13 with three wins by fall in his final campaign. The South Chesterfield, Va. native is the son of Wendy and Bret Akins and is a double major in exercise science and biology.

Huff was selected to the All-ECAC second team at 125 pounds. Huff went 32-10 in his final campaign for the navy and gold. He picked up four wins by fall and seven by major decision. At 125 pounds, Huff earned a trip to the NCAA Division II Midwest Super Regional Tournament where he finished fifth. The Sewell, N.J. native is the son of Chuck and Shelley Huff and is an education major.

Nelson earned a spot on the All-ECAC second team at 133 pounds. Nelson led the team in points, scoring 126 team points in his 29 wins this season. He earned 11 wins by fall and six by technical fall. He was also a member of the NCAA Division II All-Academic first team. The Spraggs, Pa. native is the son of Heidi and Dave Nelson. Nelson earned his undergraduate degree in history and is pursuing his Masters of Science in Collegiate Athletic Administration.

Lackey was voted to the All-ECAC second team at 165 pounds. Lackey won 12 matches on the year for the Cobras, nine of them coming by fall. The junior earned a trip to the NCAA Midwest Super Regional Tournament in 2015. The Lexington, S.C. native is the son of Aronna Winston and is an exercise science major.

Booth was also voted to the All-ECAC second team, in the 174-pound weight class. The senior won 22 matches for the navy and gold and earned a trip to the NCAA Midwest Super Regional Tournament where he finished fifth. The Post Falls, Id. native is the son of Susan and Todd Booth and is an exercise science major.

Nelson earned a spot on the All-ECAC second team at 133 pounds. Nelson led the team in points, scoring 126 team points in his 29 wins this season. He earned 11 wins by fall and six by technical fall. He was also a member of the NCAA Division II All-Academic first team. The Spraggs, Pa. native is the son of Heidi and Dave Nelson. Nelson earned his undergraduate degree in history and is pursuing his Masters of Science in Collegiate Athletic Administration.

Lackey was voted to the All-ECAC second team at 165 pounds. Lackey won 12 matches on the year for the Cobras, nine of them coming by fall. The junior earned a trip to the NCAA Midwest Super Regional Tournament in 2015. The Lexington, S.C. native is the son of Aronna Winston and is an exercise science major.

Booth was also voted to the All-ECAC second team, in the 174-pound weight class. The senior won 22 matches for the navy and gold and earned a trip to the NCAA Midwest Super Regional Tournament where he finished fifth. The Post Falls, Id. native is the son of Susan and Todd Booth and is an exercise science major.