PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Coker College wrestling team had a strong performance in its 2016-17 season debut at the Pembroke Classic on Saturday (Nov. 5).
The Cobras had 11 wrestlers place within their respective weight classes including a championship performance from Rashad Cunningham at 157 pounds. Cunningham posted a 4-0 mark on the day with a major decision, fall, and two decisions to capture gold.
Coker grapplers who finished third included Brett Shurina (149 pounds), Jordon Tague (157 pounds), Marcus Bisono (165 pounds), Jamal Lackey (174 pounds), Jordon Garlow (184 pounds), and Robert Parland (285 pounds).
Shurina fell in his quarterfinal bout, but battled through the consolation bracket with three-straight victories for bronze. Tague advanced to the semifinals with a fall, but lost his semifinal bout to drop to the consolation bracket. Next, Tague took care of business in the consolation bracket by grabbing a fall and medical forfeit for third place.
Similar to Tague, Marcus Bisono advanced to the semifinals and lost to drop down to the consolations. Bisono cruised through the consolation bracket with a fall in 47 seconds and another fall for third place in 1:36.
The Cobras displayed their depth at the 174 pound weight class as Jamal Lackey and Javieus Lighty squared off for bronze. Lackey came away with a 16-6 major decision for third and Lighty captured fourth.
At 184 pounds, Jordon Garlow posted a 5-1 record for third place. Garlow's lone loss came in the quarterfinals to the No. 1 nationally ranked wrestler at 174 pounds in Blaze Shade from UNC Pembroke. Robert Parland finished with a 4-1 record for a third place finish at 285 pounds.
Other place winners for the Cobras included Frank Velez (4th, 125 pounds), Rashad Williams (6th, 141 pounds), and Temaris Dixon (4th, 197 pounds). The Cobras will return to the mat on Nov. 9 when they travel to The Citadel to take on the Bulldogs in a dual meet at 7 p.m.