University of North Carolina Athletics
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Edinboro
Carolina Wrestling Completes Weekend Sweep
February 5, 2011 | Wrestling
Feb. 5, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina won its second consecutive match by registering two pins and two major decisions on its way to a 29-17 victory over Edinboro Saturday afternoon at Carmichael Arena. Carolina evens its overall record at 8-8-1 overall with the victory while Edinboro falls to 8-9-1.
Nick Shields and Zac Bennett recorded falls at 125 and 197 pounds, respectively, for the Tar Heels. The pin was Bennett's 11th of his redshirt freshman season, which places him one shy of breaking into the top-10 in school history for single-season falls.
Corey Mock (157) and Thomas Ferguson (174) both recorded major decision victories for Carolina, who earned victories in six of the 10 weight classes. Senior Thomas Scotton gained a victory at 165 pounds while Nick Stabile was granted a forfeit in the 149-pound weight class.
Carolina jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead when Shields recorded his first pin of the season at 6:12 over Bijan Banks in the 125-pound weight class. The Tar Heel sophomore controlled the action, recording takedowns in each period as he led 6-2 before ending the contest with 48 seconds remaining.
Edinboro responded with two straight victories to take a 7-6 lead. At 133 pounds, Eric Morrill and Pat Owens were tied at one and seemingly headed towards overtime, but Morrill took down the Carolina freshman with less than five seconds remaining to win 3-1 and cut the UNC lead in half, Edinboro's 141-pounder Kasey followed that up by logging five takedowns in a 15-4 major decision victory over UNC's Mike Rappo.
Edinboro didn't field a wrestler at 149 pounds, so Stabile was rewarded a victory by forfeit and Carolina regained the lead at 12-7. At 157 pounds, Carolina Mock earned his second convincing victory of the weekend with a 15-4 major decision over Johnny Greisheimer. The freshman took control with two first-period takedowns and padded his lead with three more in the second period. With the victory, Mock improved to 31-13 on the season and 7-0 in bouts decided by major decision.
Scotton added to the UNC lead by defeating Ethan Saylor 6-2. Two first-period takedowns gave the senior a lead he never relinquished as the Willingboro, N.J., native won consecutive matches for the first time since the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29 in giving Carolina a 19-7 lead.
Ferguson captured the fourth consecutive win for the Tar Heels when he defeated Chris Hrunka 12-1 at 174 pounds. Ferguson took a big lead early by registering a takedown and three three-point near falls in the first period. Ferguson's fifth win in his last six outings gave Carolina a 23-7 lead.
Edinboro got back on the board when unbeaten and second-ranked 184-pounder Chris Honeycutt defeated Antonio Giorgio 14-2. Leading 2-1 after a period, Honeycutt recorded a reversal and three-point near fall in the second to seize control as he beat Giorgio for the second time this season.
With the Tar Heels leading 23-11, Bennett clinched Carolina's second victory of the weekend by pinning his fourth straight opponent. The redshirt freshman took an early 5-0 lead over Shawn Fendone, but the Edinboro senior responded with three near fall points of his own. Bennett then gained a reversal before ending the match with his 11th fall of the season at 4:58.
In the closing bout, Edinboro's Ernest James pinned UNC's Ben Brooks in the heavyweight division. After a scoreless first period, James began the second in the top position and ended the contest 17 seconds into the period to bring the final score to 29-17.
The Tar Heels are back in action Saturday, Feb. 12, when they host No. 14 Nebraska at noon at Carmichael Arena. Carolina will honor its seniors for their commitment to the program prior to the contest.
North Carolina 29, Edinboro 17
125 - Nick Shields (UNC) pins Bijan Banks (EU), 6:12 (UNC 6-0)
133 - Eric Morrill (EU) dec. Pat Owens (UNC), 3-1 (UNC 6-3)
141 - Kasey Davis (EU) major dec. Mike Rappo (UNC), 15-4 (EU 7-6)
149 - Nick Stabile (UNC) wins by forfeit (UNC 12-7)
157 - Corey Mock (UNC) major dec. Johnny Greisheimer (EU), 15-4 (UNC 16-7)
165 - Thomas Scotton (UNC) dec. Ethan Saylor (EU), 6-2 (UNC 19-7)
174 - Thomas Ferguson (UNC) major dec. Chris Hrunka (EU), 12-1 (UNC 23-7)
184 - #2 Chris Honeycutt (EU) major dec. Antonio Giorgio (UNC), 14-2 (UNC 23-11)
197 - Zac Bennett (UNC) pins Shawn Fendone (EU), 4:58 (UNC 29-11)
HWT - Ernest James (EU) pins Ben Brooks (UNC), 3:17 (UNC 29-17)
Players Mentioned
