Zachary Van Alst Named February's SPC Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Month

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University wrestler Zachary Van Alst has been named the SPC Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Month for February, recently announced by the Coker Athletics department.

Van Alst posted a stellar month of February on the mat for Coker, going 5-0 on his way to a Super Region II championship and qualifying for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Van Alst defeated Mount Olive's Seth Thomas by major decision 13-4 on Feb. 21, before adding to his win total with a win by forfeit against No. 11/20 Newberry (Feb. 24). Van Alst would go on to make Coker Wrestling history by becoming the program's first-ever Super Region champion and qualifying for the national championships for the second consecutive year. 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. 

This is Van Alst's second career Student-Athlete of the Month honor, as he was named the February Co-Student-Athlete of the month in February 2019.

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

Van Alst is in action today at the NCAA Division II National Championships at America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Mo. The action begins at 1:00 p.m., with video available at www.cokercobras.com.