Van Alst Headed Back to Division II National Championships After Super Region Title, Coker Takes Fifth at Super Region II Tournament

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. - Coker University wrestling took fifth at the Super Region II tournament on Saturday (Feb. 27), while junior Zachary Van Alst is headed back to the Division II National Championships after capturing the Super Region title at 141 pounds.

No. 11/20 Newberry captured the Super Region title with 93.5 points, while UNC Pembroke took second with 83 points. Limestone took third with 57.5 points, followed by Belmont Abbey (50 points) and Coker (45.5 points). Lander finished sixth with 44.5 points, while Davis & Elkins took seventh with 43 points. Queens (N.C.) finished eighth with 33.5 points, while King (Tenn.) took ninth with 32 points. Mount Olive finished 10^th with 29 points, while Emmanuel (Ga.) finished 11^th with 6.5 points.

Van Alst began his day with a 14-3 major decision over UNC Pembroke's Chaise Mayer in the quarterfinal round, before pulling a big upset in the semifinal beating Majid Corbett of Limestone by decision 5-1. Van Alst would capture the first Super Region championship in Coker Wrestling history with a 6-3 decision over Christian Small of King.

The Cobras also had several others place in their respective weight classes at the tournament.

Corey Christie took a third place finish at 165 pounds, starting his day with an 11-1 major decision over Gavin Brady of Lander. After falling by decision in the semifinal bout, Christie rebounded for a 4-2 victory by decision over Logan Perkins of King. The win propelled Christie into the third-place match, where he defeated Caleb Grau of UNC Pembroke by decision 7-3.

P.J. Wunderlich would go on to place fourth at 149 pounds. Wunderlich started his day with a 3-2 decision over Bryson Ethington of Lander in the quarterfinal, before falling by major decision to Luke McDonough of UNC Pembroke. Wunderlich would battle back through the bracket, defeating Alex Dillegge of Limestone by a 10-6 decision to reach the third-place match. He would fall just short in the third-place match in a 4-1 decision against Dalton Flint of Emmanuel.

Alex Miller posted a fourth-place finish at 157 pounds on the day, battling back through the consolation bracket. Miller would advance to the consolation semifinal round with a 7-5 decision over Nate Golmon of UNC Pembroke, before picking up a 21-9 major decision over John Finnerty of Davis & Elkins. Miller would fall in the third-place match to Colby Teague of Mount Olive.

Corey Perkins-Willett notched a fourth-place finish at 197 pounds, starting the day with a 9-3 decision over Bradden Galassi of Davis & Elkins. Perkins-Willett advanced to the semifinal match with a 9-2 decision over Limestone's Andrew Freeman in the quarterfinal, before dropping a tough 2-1 decision to Hunter Tobiasson of Queens in the semifinal. Perkins-Willett would rebound for a win by fall in 1:21 over Mount Olive's Johnathan Clack, before falling to Bryce Walker of UNC Pembroke in the third-place match.

Arty Walsh picked up one win on the day at 133 pounds, pinning Joey Felix of Lander in 4:21. Nick Florin also recorded one win for the Cobras at 174 pounds, defeating Josh Wynn of King by major decision 8-0. Matt Shields would post one win a 184 pounds for Coker, defeating Micah Dixon of Mount Olive by a score of 9-2.

Van Alst will continue his season at the NCAA Division II National Championships on Mar. 12-13 at America's Convention Center Complex in St. Louis, Mo.