Watts, Miller, Christie, and Correa Crowned Champions at King Open

BRISTOL, Tenn. - The Coker College wrestling team traveled to King University to compete in the King Open on Sunday (Nov. 11). John Watts (125 pounds), Alex Miller (141 pounds), Corey Christie (157 pounds), and Ramon Correa (285 pounds) were crowned champions with their first place finishes in the tournament.

125 Pounds

Watts highlighted the 125 pound weight class with a first place finish for the Cobras. The freshman from Willacoochee, Georgia toughed out a 6-4 decision in the quarterfinals, before rolling through Walker Byrd (Reinhardt University) in the semifinals with a 14-5 major decision. In his finals bout, Watts dug deep for a 9-7 decision in tiebreaker one of overtime. Watts improved his record to 6-2 on the year. In addition, Frank Velez picked up two victories at 125 pounds for the Navy and Gold.

John Watts - 1st Place

• Champ. Round 1 - John Watts (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - John Watts (Coker College) won by decision over Michael Parker (Midway University ) (Dec 6-4)

• Semifinal - John Watts (Coker College) won by major decision over Walker Byrd (Reinhardt University) (Maj 14-5)

• 1st Place Match - John Watts (Coker College) won in tie breaker - 1 over Rylee Billings (King University) (TB-1 9-7)

Frank Velez - 2-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Koby Milner (Reinhardt University) won by fall over Frank Velez (Coker College) (Fall 4:57)

• Cons. Round 1 - Frank Velez (Coker College) won by decision over Will Anders (Bluefield College ) (Dec 13-7)

• Cons. Round 2 - Frank Velez (Coker College) won by fall over Avery Brown (Bluefield College ) (Fall 2:01)

• Cons. Round 3 - Jahvar Lewis (Midway University ) won by decision over Frank Velez (Coker College) (Dec 7-6)

133 Pounds

Coker had a solid showing at 133 pounds as Chase Clark collected a fourth place finish at 133 pounds. The freshman from McAlpin, Florida dropped his opening match of the tournament, but battled back through the consolation rounds collecting back-to-back victories. Clark worked for a 4-2 sudden victory win in consolation round three and a 3-1 decision in the consolation semifinals. In the third place match, Clark dropped a rematch to Smaill Saint Piere of Limestone 7-2.

Chase Clark - 4th Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Chase Clark (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Smaill Saint Piere (Limestone College) won by decision over Chase Clark (Coker College) (Dec 6-2)

• Cons. Round 2 - Chase Clark (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Cons. Round 3 - Chase Clark (Coker College) won in sudden victory - 1 over Josh Wynn (King University) (SV-1 4-2)

• Cons. Semi - Chase Clark (Coker College) won by decision over Isaac Wright (Bluefield College ) (Dec 3-1)

• 3rd Place Match - Smaill Saint Piere (Limestone College) won by decision over Chase Clark (Coker College) (Dec 7-2)

Chris Navarro (Unattached - Swampfox) - 0-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Christopher Navarro (Swampfox) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Sha`Mun Smith (Limestone College) won by major decision over Christopher Navarro (Swampfox) (Maj 18-4)

• Cons. Round 2 - Christopher Navarro (Swampfox) received a bye () (Bye)

• Cons. Round 3 - Steve Chavez (Reinhardt University) won by decision over Christopher Navarro (Swampfox) (Dec 10-5)

141 Pounds

The Cobras collected their second champion at the King Open as Alex Miller won the 141 pound weight class. After earning a tight 9-6 decision in round one, Miller cruised through his quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, earning a fall in 6:56 and a 19-3 technical fall. In the finals, Miller battled for a 10-9 decision over Riley Alderman of King University. Miller improved to 6-2 on the season.

Alex Miller - 1st Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Michael (Alex) Miller (Coker College) won by decision over Kalvin Harris (Reinhardt University) (Dec 9-6)

• Quarterfinal - Michael (Alex) Miller (Coker College) won by fall over Jacob Wynn (King University) (Fall 6:56)

• Semifinal - Michael (Alex) Miller (Coker College) won by tech fall over Emery Cline (Emmanuel) (TF 19-3)

• 1st Place Match - Michael (Alex) Miller (Coker College) won by decision over Riley Alderman (King University) (Dec 10-9)

 157 Pounds

Coker had four wrestlers compete at the 157 pound weight class. Christie had the standout performance in the weight class, recording a first place finish. The freshman from Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania wrestled hard for three decisions in the championship performance. In his finals bout, Christie defeated teammate Matthew Kieta, who is redshirting and competing for Coker's club team, Swampfox, 10-8 in sudden victory. Kieta had an excellent showing as well, earning two victories on his way to the runner-up finish. Additionally, Khyree Alexander and Jaylon McCaslan picked up one victory on the day.

Corey Christie - 1st Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Corey Christie (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Corey Christie (Coker College) won by decision over Kevin Almond (Emmanuel) (Dec 7-4)

• Semifinal - Corey Christie (Coker College) won by decision over Xander Whitehurst (Bluefield College ) (Dec 5-0)

• 1st Place Match - Corey Christie (Coker College) won in sudden victory - 1 over Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) (SV-1 10-8)

Matthew Kieta (Unattached - Swampfox) - 2nd Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) won by tech fall over Jaylon McCalsan (Coker College) (TF 18-3)

• Semifinal - Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) won by decision over Cole Tenety (Reinhardt University) (Dec 5-3)

• 1st Place Match - Corey Christie (Coker College) won in sudden victory - 1 over Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) (SV-1 10-8)

Khyree Alexander - 1-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Xander Whitehurst (Bluefield College ) won by decision over Khyree Alexander (Coker College) (Dec 5-2)

• Cons. Round 1 - Khyree Alexander (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Cons. Round 2 - Khyree Alexander (Coker College) won by decision over Jaylon McCalsan (Coker College) (Dec 5-3)

• Cons. Round 3 - Cole Luallen (Reinhardt University) won by decision over Khyree Alexander (Coker College) (Dec 7-1)

Jaylon McCaslan - 1-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Jaylon McCalsan (Coker College) won by injury default over Ronald Cain (Emmanuel) (Inj. 0:00)

• Quarterfinal - Matthew Kieta (Swampfox) won by tech fall over Jaylon McCalsan (Coker College) (TF 18-3)

• Cons. Round 2 - Khyree Alexander (Coker College) won by decision over Jaylon McCalsan (Coker College) (Dec 5-3)

 165 Pounds

Matt Jacoby picked up Coker's lone victory at the 165 pound weight class with an exciting 12-11 decision over Aniguis McIntyre of Midway University.

Matt Jacoby - 1-2 Record

• Quarterfinal - Matthew Jacoby (Coker College) won by decision over Aniguis McIntyre (Midway University ) (Dec 12-11)

• Semifinal - Matthew Schmall (Emmanuel) won by fall over Matthew Jacoby (Coker College) (Fall 4:42)

• Cons. Semi - Noah Reynolds (Bluefield College ) won by fall over Matthew Jacoby (Coker College) (Fall 2:15)

 174 Pounds

Brandon Mills tallied Coker's lone victory at 174 pounds with a fall in 6:05 over Kyle Graham of Emmanuel.

Brandon Mills - 1-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Brandon Mills (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Brandon Mills (Coker College) won by fall over Kyle Graham (Emmanuel) (Fall 6:05)

• Semifinal - Garett Beam (Limestone College) won by tech fall over Brandon Mills (Coker College) (TF 16-0)

• Cons. Semi - Chase Forrester (Emmanuel) won by tech fall over Brandon Mills (Coker College) (TF 16-1)

184 Pounds

Seth Spell recorded a victory at 184 pounds by way of injury default, before forfeiting his next two matches. Meanwhile, Pedro Daher collected another victory for the Navy and Gold with a fall in 2:37 over Jacob Booth of Bluefield College.

Seth Spell - 1-2 Record (Injured during competition)

• Champ. Round 1 - Grayson Spell (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Grayson Spell (Coker College) won by injury default over Isaiah McDougal (Midway University ) (Inj. 0:37)

• Semifinal - Richard Almodovar (Midway University ) won by forfeit over Grayson Spell (Coker College) (FF)

• Cons. Semi - Michael Eldridge (Midway University ) won by forfeit over Grayson Spell (Coker College) (FF)

Pedro Daher - 1-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Pedro Daher (Coker College) received a bye () (Bye)

• Quarterfinal - Hayden Prince (Limestone College) won by tech fall over Pedro Daher (Coker College) (TF 16-1)

• Cons. Round 2 - Pedro Daher (Coker College) won by fall over Jacob Booth (Bluefield College ) (Fall 2:37)

• Cons. Round 3 - Michael Eldridge (Midway University ) won by decision over Pedro Daher (Coker College) (Dec 7-4)

285 Pounds

Correa capped off a successful tournament for the Cobras, capturing a fourth title for the Navy and Gold. Correa began his tournament with two-straight falls to advance to the semifinals. In his semifinal bout, Correa worked for an 8-2 decision over Hinton Bollinger of Reinhardt University. Next, Correa edged Chris Vasquez of King University 3-1 for the first place finish. Additionally, freshman Dalton Haywood collected a victory at the 285 pound weight class with a 13-6 decision over Trey White of Bluefield College.

Ramon Correa - 1st Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Ramon Correa (Coker College) won by fall over Gavin Hunt (Midway University ) (Fall 2:17)

• Quarterfinal - Ramon Correa (Coker College) won by fall over Cade Ridley (King University) (Fall 4:11)

• Semifinal - Ramon Correa (Coker College) won by decision over Hinton Bolinger (Reinhardt University) (Dec 8-2)

• 1st Place Match - Ramon Correa (Coker College) won by decision over Chris Vasquez (King University) (Dec 3-1)

 Dalton Haywood - 1-2 Record

• Champ. Round 1 - Dalton Haywood (Coker College) won by decision over Trey White (Bluefield College ) (Dec 13-6)

• Quarterfinal - Chris Vasquez (King University) won by fall over Dalton Haywood (Coker College) (Fall 3:20)

• Cons. Round 2 - Preston Stell (Emmanuel) won by decision over Dalton Haywood (Coker College) (Dec 2-1)

The Cobras will be back in action next Saturday (Nov. 17) at the Georgia Open, hosted by Emmanuel.