Wrestling maintains national prominence

By Nathan Walls
Sports Editor

The UNCP wrestling team is once again in the national mat spotlight, thanks to a No. 19 national ranking in NCAA Division II.

Last year’s team finished No. 15 in the nation and produced four All-Americans, one better than the three who achieved that status in 2003.

Head Coach P.J. Smith expects that a few of those All-Americans will win their 100th match this year.

“One-tenth of one percent of college wrestlers win 100 matches,” Smith said. “That’s pretty darn good for our wrestlers to do that.”

Dwayne Coward (No. 2 at 165), Curry Pickard (No. 1 at 133) and Derek Brunson (No. 4 at 184) are all primed for a chance at a national title in their respective weight classes.

Coward is a two-time All-American, while Pickard and Brunson have accomplished that feat once.

Coward, a senior, said he tries to focus on other things when he’s not wrestling, and feels that this year is his year to win it all.

“I don’t think about wrestling when I’m not wrestling,” Coward said. “I don’t want to get cocky about it, but everyone is behind me this year. I feel like this is the year I finally do it.”

The Braves, 5-4 in duals, host Limestone College Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jones Athletic Center.