LEBANON, TN — From a local standpoint, everything came up roses between fifth-ranked Southeastern and #10 Cumberland-TN Wednesday night (all rankings per InterMat).
The hosts won by a 19-15 count over the Fire in a dual that came down to the last match, but #NextLevel athletes on both sides of the mat came up winners.
First at 149, Cumberland-TN’s Kaz Maia (Flagler Palm Coast ’16), ranked sixth nationally, took a 5-3 win over the Fire’s Adrian Ayala to tie the dual at 6-6.
Next up at 157 was Southeastern’s Jaquan English (Fleming Island/Raines ’18), ranked 18th nationally at 141, who bumped up two weights and handled the bump well enough, shutting out the Phoenix’s Anitie Akpan, 6-0, for one of the Fire’s four wins on the night.
Southeastern will next travel to #2 Life on January 16, while Cumberland-TN will next compete in the Central Baptist (AR) Invitational on Saturday.
Coker 31, Emmanuel 18: At Franklin Springs GA on Tuesday night, the Cobras, under the guidance of assistant coach Robert Parland (University Christian ’13), won their season opener. Coker spotted Emmanuel leads of 3-0 and 15-3 before winning five of the last six matches, securing bonus points in all five (three forfeits, a tech fall at 165 and a major at 197). Coker will have its home opener on January 11, hosting Queens in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas action.
North Florida Matmen 