RALEIGH — A high school coach is seeking clarification of a rule which led to a warning for one of his wrestlers after he stopped to pray on the mat prior to his match.

Junior Nicholas Fant stopped for a two-second prayer before his match against a Cary High School wrestler. Coach Sam Hershey said Fant has prayed before all of his matches this season.

The referee advised the scorer that Fant would get a stalling warning for delaying the match. The decision cost Fant a point.

Hershey said he would not comment on the call but would inquire about the spirit of the rule and its implementation. He said he wouldn't report the official's decision to the N.C. High School Athletic Association.