LAKELAND, Fla.—Coming off of an encouraging display at the Life Duals in Marietta, Georgia last weekend, the Fire wrestling team is preparing for a new set of challenges this weekend in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Friday, the Fire grapplers will take on three NCAA Division II programs, and a fellow upstart at the Division III level during competition at the Coker Duals, which begins at 10 a.m.
During competition on Saturday, the Fire went 1-2 against Mid-South Conference programs Truett-McConnell, Life, and Lindsey Wilson. The day started with a 39-18 win over TMC, which saw the Fire score four wins by fall. The Fire lost to sixth-ranked Life 34-15, but gave up 12 points to forfeits at the top two weight classes.
The Fire had a great opportunity against 14
th-ranked Lindsey Wilson, which the Fire led 19-3 after Zach Wood scored a major decision at 165. The Blue Raiders came away with a major decision at 174, and a clinching decision at 184 by a 3-1 score. Again, the Fire took forfeits at the top two weight classes, costing the Fire a 22-19 loss.
The Fire will face fellow first-year program Greensboro, a Division III program, led by former national team head coach Erik Wince. The Pride are 4-7 in dual meets this year, and went 1-2 during competition at the Washington & Lee Duals.
The Fire will face Division II programs Coker, UNC-Pembroke, and Belmont Abbey to close out the day. The host Cobras are 4-2 in dual meets, and have won their last two, defeating Spartanburg Methodist 43-6, and blanking Brewton-Parker 48-0. UNCP is 6-3 this season with losses to Campbellsville, NC State, and Notre Dame College. BAC sits at 4-3 in dual meets, with losses to Limestone, UNCP, and Coker.
For updates, follow @SEUFireWrestle on Twitter.
