INDIANAPOLIS - Two Coker University wrestlers advanced through the first day of the 42nd annual Midwest Classic on Saturday (Dec. 18), with Hunter Ross still competing at 133 pounds and Corey Christie still alive at 165 pounds.
Ross's day began with a win by fall in 1:01 over Central Missouri's Terrell Carter-Williams, before dropping a major decision in the second round of the championship bracket. Ross rebounded with back-to-back decisions to end his day, defeating Joshua Kincaid of Emmanuel (Ga.) 7-4 and Lake Erie's Ran Wehner 5-1.
Christie's day began with a win by fall over David Varner of King (Tenn.) in 1:22, before defeating Alexander Isbrandt of Findlay by decision 9-4. Christie advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 win by decision over Cody Hicks of Fort Hays State, before losing by fall in the quarterfinal.
Several other Cobras picked up wins on the first day of the tournament. Omar Armengol earned an 11-5 win by decision over Joel Ridle of Central Missouri at 141 pounds, while Zachary Van Alst earned a 7-5 win by decision over Toure Moore of Queens (N.C.) at 149 pounds. P.J. Wunderlich earned a win by decision over Newberry's Will Evans by a score of 9-4 at 157 pounds, while Dillon Ross would earn two wins at 174 pounds. Ross pinned Nicolas Smythe of Tiffin in 1:45, while also defeating Bret Heil of Maryville by major decision 11-3.
The Cobras return to action tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 19) for Day Two of the 42nd annual Midwest Classic. The action begins at 10:00 a.m., with live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.