By Zackari Ciboth, Sports Editor
The UNC Pembroke wrestling team picked up three convincing victories Saturday afternoon when they welcomed Allen, Coker, and Davis & Elkins at home for a UNCP Tri-meet. The Braves picked up a 59-0 win over Allen, 32-12 win over Coker and 58-0 win over Davis and Elkins to improve to 10-5 overall and 5-1 in Conference Carolinas.
“It was obviously good to come back home for the first time this semester as we get ready going into this championship run and trying to secure our spot in the final four for the conference title. Kind of get the bug off a little bit some of our guys even the ones that competed today are still not quite where they wanna be yet from a conditioning standpoint,” UNCP wrestling coach Othello “O.T.” Johnson said. “Also recovering from a big December travel and sickness going around so we’re really fortunate to get through the grogginess and compete.”
In the first match the Braves wasted no time picking up an impressive victory over the Allen Yellow Jackets by recording eight pins, a tech falls and a forfeit due to injury. In the second match with Coker the Braves found themselves down 6-0 but rallied to take the match 35-12 with seven straight victories. The Braves got back to business in the final match of the day against Davis & Elkins finishing the Senators off with ease and claiming the Tri-match sweep.
Some notables for the Braves, Jake Piccirilli, Caleb Grau, and Scott Joll each picked up first round pins in their respective bouts with Coker. In the third match Piccirilli and Joll recorded their third pins of the day while the Braves had strong finishes from Avery Buonocore, Jose Zambrano Canuto, and Massimo Sullivan.
The Braves will hit the road again on January 28th when they make the trip to Newberry College to take part in the Newberry Open. Wrestling action is set to start at 8 a.m.