2018-19 Weight Class Previews: Middleweights

Kennedy Monday
University of North Carolina Wrestling v Wyoming
Carmichael Arena
Chapel Hill, NC
Friday, January 5, 2018

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 22, 2018 | Wrestling

The 2018-19 Carolina wrestling previews continue with a look at the 149, 157, 165 and 174 weight classes. You can find the team preview for the lightweights here.

149

The Tar Heels will see a new face at 149 after graduating Troy Heilmann over the offseason. Austin O'Connor redshirted last year and looks to lead the way at this weight after winning a gold medal at the Junior Pan Am Championships over the summer. He'll be competing with fellow redshirt freshman Gino Esposito for the spot.

"He had a great redshirt year," head coach Coleman Scott said of O'Connor. "He backed that up with a great summer, and he's hungry. We're really excited with where he's at. He's made a lot of progress. We're going to look to see him become a big leader in the future."

157

The Tar Heels look to be led yet again by projected starter Kennedy Monday. The redshirt sophomore lost in the blood round at the NCAA Championships in March after a special run through the tournament. He looks to lead the way after going 21-17 in his first year in the Tar Heel lineup.

In addition to Monday, redshirt sophomore Sawyer Davidson, freshman Michael Goldfeder and redshirt sophomore A.J. Rechenmacher will be in the mix over the course of the year.

"Everybody here saw the progress Kennedy was making last year, and it was bound to happen at some time that he was going to pop up and start beating people," Scott said of Monday. "At the end of the year, we just knew it… I look for special things from this guy this year. It's pretty cool that as a sophomore, he's what we have coming back."

165

A handful of Tar Heels will be in the mix to push for the starting spot at 165. There is plenty of competition for redshirt sophomore Josh McClure. Seniors Grant Jefferson, freshman Ryan Karoly, redshirt sophomore Will MacDonald and freshman Joey Mazzara all figure to compete with McClure for the starting spot.

"We have some buzz at this weight again," Scott said. "McClure is a resilient kid who wants to win and he really works his tail off each and every day. This is a weight that is going to be very competitive. I don't know if we have a bad option here, which is why I'm really excited. These kids are going to battle it out each day to see who that guy is going to be."

174

Similar to the situation at 165, the competition has been strong through the preseason for the Tar Heels at the final middleweight spot. Redshirt sophomore Devin Kane had multiple strong finishes in his redshirt season, finishing third at the App State Open and sixth at the Hokie Open. He'll be competing with redshirt junior Lance Armenta, junior Jake Mario and senior Adis Radoncic.

"Whoever comes out of this weight is going to be pushed and they're going to win matches," Scott said. "Our depth is strong, and there are a couple of guys who could be the starter here. Jake Mario has really re-dedicated himself to the sport and has made big strides to push for a spot in the lineup."