Four National Qualifiers

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University wrestlers Omar Armengol, Zachary Van Alst, Corey Christie and Jhavon Innocent were named SPC Credit Union Co-Student-Athletes of the Month for March, announced today (Wednesday, Mar. 25).

The quartet represented Coker at the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships back on Mar. 14, marking the most national qualifiers in a single season for the program. Van Alst (141) and Innocent (174) would automatically punch their tickets with third-place finishes at the regional tournament, while Armengol (133) and Christie (165) would advance with fourth-place finishes.

Van Alst began the day dropping his opening match to top-seeded Isaiah Royal of Newberry, before defeating Franko Cuccurello of Mount Olive by technical fall 16-1 in 4:24. Van Alst then defeated Devinaire Hayes of Queens (N.C.) by decision 5-3, before posting a 15-2 major decision over Justin Payne of Belmont Abbey to reach the third-place match. Van Alst defeated Jonathan Miller of UNC Pembroke by decision 2-1 to punch his ticket to Sioux Falls.

The Prattville, Ala. native is the son of Robert Lee and Jennifer Dawn Van Alst, and is a mathematics major.

Innocent dropped his first match of the day to Myles Williams of Emmanuel (Ga.), before posting a 3-1 sudden victory over Garrett Hill of UNC Pembroke. Iocent then defeated Billy Christie of Newberry by decision 8-6, before avenging his loss to Williams by beating him 7-3. Inocent would punch his ticket with a 6-3 decision over Logan Branham of Belmont Abbey.

The Spring Valley, N.Y. native is the son of Michalle Pierre-Louis, and is a mathematics major.

Armengol began his day with a tough loss to Logan Seliga of UNC Pembroke, before defeating Lleyon Tylor of Belmont Abbey by major decision 8-0. Armengol posted his second straight win by major decision over Austin Neal of Newberry 19-9, before falling to Craig Cook of Davis & Elkins in the third-place match.

The Mater Lakes, Fla. native is the son of Omar and Yenny Armengol, and is a physical education major.

Christie began his day with a 5-0 decision over Matthew Schmall of Emmanuel (Ga.), before dropping a decision to Noah Tarr of Davis & Elkins. Christie then posted an 11-2 major decision over Nestor Nunez of Newberry, before defeating Garrett Beam of Limestone by decision 9-2. Christie earned a rematch with Tarr, falling by decision to place fourth.

The Lower Burrell, Pa. native is the son of James and Lori Christie, and is a biology major.