LAURINBURG, N.C. – The Coker College wrestling team cruised past the Knights of St. Andrews University 34-9 Wednesday (Nov. 16) night. The Cobras trailed 9-3 after the first three bouts, but stormed back by taking the next seven matches for the dominant victory.
Frank Velez gave the Navy and Gold an early 3-0 lead with a decision at 125 pounds. Velez rode his opponent tough during the second period and secured a set of near fall points to extend his lead. Next, Velez captured a third period takedown to seal the victory.
The Cobras dropped the 133 and 141 pound weight classes by fall and decision. At 149 pounds, Bret Shurina notched a crucial technical fall victory to pull Coker within one point of St. Andrews. Shurina racked up his points in a variety of ways with takedowns, reversals, and near fall points.
Jordon Tague kept the Cobras momentum rolling at 157 pounds with a major decision. Takedowns in the first and second periods proved to be the deciding factor in Tague's bonus point victory.
Leading 12-9, the Cobras added a third-consecutive victory to extend their lead. Rashad Cunningham made quick work of his St. Andrews opponent with a fall in the first period at 165 pounds.
At 174 pounds, Jamal Lackey provided constant pressure against his St. Andrew's opponent and eventually won by major decision. A pancake takedown to his opponents back sparked the major decision victory for Lackey. Jordon Garlow kept Coker's winning streak going with a decision at 184 pounds.
Next, Temaris Dixon never gave up in the 197 pound bout and earned a come from behind victory by fall. Dixon found himself on his back, but immediately bridged and reversed his opponent to his back for the pin.
Nathan Troutvine capped off the 34-9 Coker victory with a tough decision at 285 pounds. The Cobras will return to the mats this Sunday (Nov. 20) when they compete at the King Open starting at 8 a.m.
Match Results:
125- Frank Velez (Coker) Dec. Brennan Patton 11-4
133- Dylan Rossetti (SAU) def. Dylan Barrett by fall 3:35
141- Tyran Taylor (SAU) dec. Rashad Williams 9-7
149- Bret Shurina (Coker) def. Jacob Honeycutt by tech fall 18-3
157- Jordon Tague (Coker) maj. Dec. Noah Walker 14-3
165- Rashad Cunningham (COK) def. Michael Nelson by fall 1:35
174- Jamal Lackey (Coker) maj. dec. Kavoris Perry 12-4
184- Jordon Garlow (Coker) dec. Mitch Jacobs 10-5
197- Temaris Dixon (Coker) def. Tyler Evers by fall 4:12
285- Nathan Troutvine (Coker) dec. Chris Anglin 3-2