University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Chattanooga
Carolina Wins Two, Falls to No. 4 Wisconsin in ACC Challenge
November 21, 2010 | Wrestling
Nov. 21, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Three North Carolina wrestlers recorded two victories apiece as the Tar Heels won two dual matches Saturday in the ACC Challenge, held at the Eddie Smith Field House in Chapel Hill. Carolina sandwiched close victories against Chattanooga and UNC Greensboro around a defeat at the hands of No. 4 Wisconsin. UNC now holds a 4-2 dual record on the season.
Danny Lopes led the Tar Heels with a 2-0 record at 141 pounds, registering victories against Wisconsin and UNC Greensboro. Thomas Scotton and Zac Bennett both won two of the three bouts they competed in with the two losses coming to Wisconsin wrestlers ranked in the top two nationally.
In Carolina's first contest of the day, the Tar Heels jumped out to a 18-9 lead behind a pin by Zac Bennett and victories by Thomas Ferguson, Ben Brooks, Mike Rappo and Rocco Wellek. The Mocs rallied to tie it at 18 going into the finale, the 165-pound match. Scotton came through for the Tar Heels, logging a 9-4 victory to clinch the 21-18 win for UNC.
Carolina dropped matches to seven ranked wrestlers in the Tar Heels' loss to the fourth-ranked Badgers. Lopes earned the only UNC victory in the match, notching a 4-0 decision against Danny Arnell at 141 pounds. Freshman Corey Mock took John Prezzia to overtime at 157 pounds, but the Badger registered a takedown to win the contest. At 165 pounds, Scotton faced top-ranked and defending national champion Andrew Howe and dropped a 8-2 decision.
The Tar Heels rebounded from that loss by defeating UNC Greensboro 23-17 in their finale. Bennett pinned another opponent and freshman Pat Owens earned a major decision victory as the match was tied at 10 after five bouts. Lopes and Mock both won by technical fall to put the Tar Heels ahead and Scotton took a 3-1 decision to clinch the victory and make the score 23-13 with one match to go.
Carolina is next in action when they travel to the Reno Tournament of Champions on December 19.
Players Mentioned
