University of North Carolina Athletics
Heilmann Named Most Valuable Wrestler At Year-End Banquet
April 15, 2018 | Wrestling
CHAPEL HILL --- Senior All-American Troy Heilmann was named the 2018 T.J. Jaworsky Most Valuable Wrestler as the North Carolina wrestling team celebrated its 2017-18 season Sunday at the Chapel Hill Country Club. Heilmann's fourth-place finish at 149 pounds last month in Cleveland led the Tar Heels to their best NCAA Championships team finish since 1995.
Fellow All-American Chip Ness was named Most Improved Wrestler, while sophomore Devin Kane (most falls) and A.J. Rechenmacher (top grade point average) were also honored.
Heilmann concluded his final season at UNC with a 32-6 record, and his fourth-place finish at nationals matched the highest by a UNC competitor since Justin Harty took second at heavyweight in 1996. The South Plainfield, New Jersey, product also claimed his first Atlantic Coast Conference title, joining two-time ACC champion classmate Ethan Ramos.
Ness redshirted in 2017 while dropping down to 184 pounds and made a significant impact in his return to the lineup. After a 4-6 start to his redshirt junior season, the Duluth, Georgia, native ran off nine straight victories before taking third at ACCs to earn an automatic bid to nationals. He did his best work of the year in Cleveland, winning four times and beating three seeded opponents to finish seventh and give Carolina two All-Americans for the first time since the 1994 and 1995 tournaments.
Kane had an impressive redshirt season, tallying a team-best seven pins and placing at five tournaments, including a win at the National Collegiate Open.
Rechenmacher was recognized for his team-best 4.0 GPA as well as being named the team's Iron Ram for being the team's best overall strength and conditioning performer. Gino Esposito (best newcomer) and Sawyer Davidson (most improved) were also honored for their work in the weight room.
Â
Fellow All-American Chip Ness was named Most Improved Wrestler, while sophomore Devin Kane (most falls) and A.J. Rechenmacher (top grade point average) were also honored.
Heilmann concluded his final season at UNC with a 32-6 record, and his fourth-place finish at nationals matched the highest by a UNC competitor since Justin Harty took second at heavyweight in 1996. The South Plainfield, New Jersey, product also claimed his first Atlantic Coast Conference title, joining two-time ACC champion classmate Ethan Ramos.
Ness redshirted in 2017 while dropping down to 184 pounds and made a significant impact in his return to the lineup. After a 4-6 start to his redshirt junior season, the Duluth, Georgia, native ran off nine straight victories before taking third at ACCs to earn an automatic bid to nationals. He did his best work of the year in Cleveland, winning four times and beating three seeded opponents to finish seventh and give Carolina two All-Americans for the first time since the 1994 and 1995 tournaments.
Kane had an impressive redshirt season, tallying a team-best seven pins and placing at five tournaments, including a win at the National Collegiate Open.
Rechenmacher was recognized for his team-best 4.0 GPA as well as being named the team's Iron Ram for being the team's best overall strength and conditioning performer. Gino Esposito (best newcomer) and Sawyer Davidson (most improved) were also honored for their work in the weight room.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
Tar Heel 1ON1: Season 2, Episode 2 (Shelby Barbee, Kiannah Pierce, Maddy May)
Wednesday, October 29
Blue Heaven: 2025 UNC Field Hockey, Episode 4
Wednesday, October 29
Coach's Corner with Bill Belichick - Episode 8 - October 28, 2025
Tuesday, October 28
Carolina Women's Basketball 2025-26 Season | In Pursuit: Episode 1
Tuesday, October 28