SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Coker wrestling team opened up its 2017-18 season at the Spartanburg Methodist Duals where they battled Life University and Spartanburg Methodist College Wednesday night (Nov. 1). The Cobras lost their first match to the Life Running Eagles 47-0 and won their match against the Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers 27-21.
After falling to Life University, the 11th ranked team in the NAIA, the Cobras bounced back with a victory over the Pioneers.
Spartanburg Methodist gained an early lead in the dual with victories at 125 and 133 pounds. Noah Kile claimed the first points for the Cobras on the season with his win on a forfeit at 141 pounds. Next, Matthew Kieta came out on top of a 4-2 decision over his Pioneer opponent at 149 pounds. The Pioneers rebounded with a victory at 157 pounds, but Michael Milam responded by earning the first pin of the 2017-18 season in 2:44 at 165 pounds. At 174 pounds, Ian Maund kept the momentum rolling by edging out a two point decision to add three points to the Navy and Gold total.
Jordon Garlow speedily pinned his 184 pound foe in :38, increasing the lead to 24-18. Next, Luis Peguero sealed the Cobra win with his decision, making a SMC comeback out of reach. The Cobras dropped the final match of the night at 285 pounds.
The Navy and Gold will return to the mat when they travel to Virginia Tech for the Hokie Open that begins at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday (Nov. 5).
Coker: 0 Life: 47
125: Dylan Evans (LIUN) over Chris Navarro (COCO) (TF 28-11 6:54)
133: Marcus Abreu (LIUN) over Drew Crabtree (COCO) (Fall 4:33)
141: Lucas Patterson (LIUN) over Noah Kile (COCO) (Fall 5:39)
149: Nosomy Pozo (LIUN) over Matthew Kieta (COCO) (MD 18-5)
157: Phillip McBride (LIUN) over Alex Cartee (COCO) (Fall 4:39)
165: Lucius Van Rensburg (LIUN) over Michael Milam (COCO) (Dec 15-10)
174: Anthony Carter (LIUN) over Chris Coyle (COCO) (TF 19-2 6:46)
184: Hunter Smith (LIUN) over Jordon Garlow (COCO) (Fall 6:00)
197: Dalton Bailey (LIUN) over Luis Peguero (COCO) (SV-1 4-2)
285: Bradon Hill (LIUN) over Robert Parland (COCO) (Dec 2-1)
Coker: 27 Spartanburg Methodist: 21
125: Tramone Jenkins (SMC) over Chris Navarro (COCO) (Fall 2:24)
133: Tramon Jenkins (SMC) over Drew Crabtree (COCO) (Fall 3:42)
141: Noah Kile (COCO) over (SMC) (For.)
149: Matthew Kieta (COCO) over Toren Pollard (SMC) (Dec 4-2)
157: Jacob Power (SMC) over Kyle Ocker (COCO) (Fall 4:36)
165: Michael Milam (COCO) over Stephen Rinehart (SMC) (Fall 2:44)
174: Ian Maund (COCO) over Caleb Spears (SMC) (Dec 10-8)
184: Jordon Garlow (COCO) over Evan Makupson (SMC) (Fall 0:38)
197: Luis Peguero (COCO) over Ramon Rodriguez (SMC) (Dec 4-1)
285: Andrew Wade (SMC) over Robert Parland (COCO) (Dec 9-6)