Nick Daggett attempting to pin his opponent from Coker College. Daggett has is a two-time all-American in the sport and currently ranked 11th in the country in the 125 pound weight class. Photo/UNCP Athletics.
By: Jaden Jones, Contributor
Belmont Abbey vs Pembroke UNCP faced off against Belmont Abbey College at home on Feb. 5. It was an unexpectedly close match, with UNCP losing just by a single point, with a final score of 18 to 17. It was the first home loss the Braves had experienced in several years. Nevertheless, this defeat does not take away from the Braves’ commendable performance. The match began with Braves senior Nick Daggett (125 pound weight class, ranked No. 11 in the nation) winning the first match with a technical fall by a score of 17 to 2. Following this, Braves freshman Jake Piccirilli (149 pound weight class) won the fourth match by decision with a score of 7 to 2. Braves sophomore Jovaun Johnson (184 pound weight class) won the eighth match by decision with a score of 6 to 3. Braves senior Bryce Walker (197 pound weight class) won the ninth match by decision with a score of 7 to 5. Braves freshman Zach Shaffer (285 pound weight class) won the tenth match by decision with a score of 4 to 0.
Coker vs Pembroke
After their defeat to Belmont Abbey, UNCP came back and soundly won against Coker University. In an overwhelming victory, the Braves won 8 of 10 matches and beat the Coker Cobras with a final score of 48 to 11.
This triumph was started off by Braves senior Nick Daggett (125 pound weight class) winning the first match with a technical fall, by a score of 20 to 5. Following this, the Braves would only suffer two losses in the second and fifth matches before going on to dominate the rest.
Braves freshman Chance Cottingham (141 pound weight class) pinned his opponent in the third match and won at the 6 minute and 31 second mark. Braves freshman Jake Piccirilli (149 pound weight class), with a score of 19 to 4, won the fourth match by a technical fall. Braves sophomore Rahsaan Vereen (165 pound weight class) won the sixth match, by default, at the 4 minute and 13 second mark. Braves sophomore Shylik Scriven (174 pound weight class), by major decision, won the seventh match with a score of 9 to 1.
Braves sophomore Jovaun Johnson (184 pound weight class) pinned his opponent in the eighth match and won at the 6 minute and 25 second mark. Braves senior Bryce Walker (197 pound weight class) won the ninth match by a technical fall with a score of 20 to 3.
Braves freshman Zach Shaffer (285 pound weight class) pinned his opponent in the tenth match and won at the 3 minute and 39 second mark.
The Braves’ next home match is Feb. 15. at 7 p.m.