Wrestling Slated Fourth in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll, Armengol, Christie and Van Alst Named Wrestlers to Watch

FULL SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CAROLINAS RELEASE

GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University wrestling team was picked fourth in the 2020-21 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league today (Friday, Dec. 4). Omar Armengol, Corey Christie and Zachary Van Alst were named wrestlers to watch for the Cobras.

 No. 8 Newberry topped the poll with seven first place votes and 57 points, while Belmont Abbey was second with one first place vote and 53 points. Limestone was slated third and garnered the final first place vote with 50 points, followed by Coker with 36 points. King (Tenn.) was picked fifth with 35 points, followed by Queens (N.C.) in sixth with 33 points. Lander (25 points), Emmanuel (Ga.) (19 points) and Mount Olive (16 points) rounded out the poll.

Armengol posted seven wins at 133 pounds as a freshman a season ago, including three wins by major decision, one win by technical fall and one win by fall. Finished fourth at the NCAA Super Region II Championships and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, becoming the first true freshman in program history to qualify for nationals. For his work in the classroom, Armengol was later named a NWCA Scholar All-American.

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

Christie posted nine wins including two wins by major decision and two wins by fall as a junior a season ago. He finished fourth at 165 pounds at the Super Region II Championships, and qualified for the Division II National Championships. For his work in the classroom, Christie was later named a NWCA Scholar All-American. 

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

 Van Alst wrestled in nine bouts in his first season with the Navy and Gold a year ago, picking up six wins. He earned one win each by major decision, technical fall and pin. He also finished third at the NCAA Super Region II Championships to qualify for the Division II National Championships. 

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

The Cobras open the season on Jan. 5, when they travel to Emmanuel (Ga.) for a South Atlantic Conference Carolinas tilt. The match is set for a 6:00 p.m. start.