Coker Wrestling Set to Make Debut at Citadel Open

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The inaugural Coker College wrestling season will official begin on Saturday (Nov. 2) when the Cobra grapplers travel to Charleston, S.C. to compete in the Citadel Open. The meet is scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m. at Citadel's McAlister Field House and it will run all day. Admission for the event is $5 per person.

"This weekend has been a long-time coming for our program," said head coach Cy Wainwright. "We are excited to showcase what Cobra wrestling has to offer."

The tournament will feature over 350 wrestlers representing more than 25 schools from around the southeast including Division I foes Appalachian State, Duke, Campbell, NC State, Gardner-Webb and VMI along with several Division II, NAIA, junior college and club wrestling programs. 

"This tournament is a great opportunity for our team to get tested early in the season," added Wainwright.   "We are ready to get this season underway."

Representing the Cobras will be freshmen Gavin Perkins and Mikel Nelson in the 125-pound division, while junior Charlie Huff and freshman RaSean McArthur will wrestle in the 133-pound division. Taking to the mat in the 141-pound division will be freshman Cameron Pike, sophomore Rashad Cunningham and freshman Joseph Fought. Freshmen Walker Barfield and Kevin Thompson will take part in the 149-pound division, and junior JD Dykes and freshman Trey Arant will compete in the 157-pound division. Freshman Ellison Sanders will be the lone Cobra at the 165-pound division, while freshman Jacob Ralph and sophomore Phillip Burrows will be part of the 174-pound division. Rounding out the field for the Cobras will be freshman Shane Carpenter in the 184-pound division, freshmen Joseph Holland and Robert Parland at the 197-pound division, and sophomore Austin Akins at the 285-pound division. 

A full recap of the tournament, along with results will be available on www.cokercobras.com at the conclusion of the event.