Tar Heels Drop Two At South Beach Duals

Saturday, December 29

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

11 a.m.

North Carolina

Indiana

A.C. Headlee was a double winner Saturday.

December 29, 2018 | Wrestling

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. --- No. 12 North Carolina dropped duals to Indiana and No. 8 Minnesota Saturday in the first day of the 2018 South Beach Duals. Gary Wayne Harding picked up his first dual win as a Tar Heel, while A.C. Headlee and No. 5 Austin O'Connor both won twice in Fort Lauderdale.

The day began with a dual against the Hoosiers in which Carolina (3-3) came out hot, winning the first four matches of the afternoon. After freshamn Joe Heilmann won 7-6 for his second dual win of the season, Harding scored six points late in his match against Garrett Pepple to collect a major decision win.

After decisions from Headlee and O'Connor, Indiana (3-3) rattled off five straight wins starting with a wild match at 157 pounds. Josh McClure battled Jacob Danishek and looked to be on his way to a tight win, but halfway through the third period, Danishek scored on a reversal and took advantage of an awkward position to pin McClure.

With Kennedy Monday and Devin Kane sidelined due to injury, the Tar Heels took losses at 165 and 174. Indiana pulled off an upset win at 184 pounds, as No. 11 Chip Ness fell to Norman Conley in a 3-2 decision that swung IU's way courtesy of a late takedown.

No. 15 Cory Daniel won his match to wrap things up, but the Hoosiers won the dual, 19-16.

Against No. 8 Minnesota, Headlee's wild win over No. 5 Mitch McKee highlighted the afternoon. In the first period, Headlee collected a pair of takedowns, a four-point near fall and a two-point near fall to enter the second period with a 10-3 lead. But McKee stormed back after a quiet second period, scoring late on a takedown and four back points to tie things up 12-12 and force overtime.

There, it didn't take Headlee long to finish off the match with a statement. Scoring on a blast double, he wrestled through, took McKee to his back and secured the pin.

After O'Connor improved his season record to 17-2 courtesy of a 7-3 decision over No. 20 Tommy Thorn, Minnesota (5-1) took control of the dual over the next three matches. The Gophers advanced their lead to 20-8 after No. 15 Devin Skatzka won via tech fall against Will MacDonald.

Ness picked up Carolina's final win of the afternoon, an 8-7 decision over Brandon Krone. He fell behind 6-0 early, but a quick response put Ness in position to fight in the third period and secure a gritty decision.

At 285 pounds, No. 2 Gable Steveson pinned Daniel in 1:43 to cap off the day for the Gophers, giving the team a 29-11 win over the Tar Heels.

Carolina will be back in action tomorrow for two more duals. The Tar Heels will battle against No. 20 Lehigh at 11 a.m. and No. 21 North Dakota State at 1 p.m.

Indiana 19, No. 12 North Carolina 16
125: Joe Heilmann (UNC) dec. Liam Cronin (IND), 7-6 – UNC leads, 3-0
133: Gary Wayne Harding (UNC) maj. dec. Garrett Pepple (IND), 15-7 – UNC leads, 7-0
141: A.C. Headlee (UNC) dec. Cole Weaver (IND), 2-1 – UNC leads, 10-0
149: #5 Austin O'Connor (UNC) dec. Breyden Bailey (IND), 8-4 – UNC leads, 13-0
157: Jacob Danishek (IND) pinned Josh McClure (UNC), 6:23 – UNC leads, 13-6
165: Bryce Martin (IND) dec. Sawyer Davidson (UNC), 6-2 – UNC leads, 13-9
174: Jacob Hinz (IND) maj. dec. Will MacDonald (UNC), 18-5 – Tied 13-13
184: Norman Conley (IND) dec. #11 Chip Ness (UNC), 3-2 – Indiana leads, 16-13
197: Jake Kleimola (IND) dec. Hunter Queen (UNC), 4-1 – Indiana leads, 19-13
285: #15 Cory Daniel (UNC) dec. Fletcher Miller (IND), 8-2 – Indiana wins, 19-16

No. 8 Minnesota 29, No. 12 North Carolina 11
125: #5 Sean Russell (MINN) maj. dec. Joe Heilmann (UNC), 15-3 – Minnesota leads, 4-0
133: #8 Ethan Lizak (MINN) tech fall Gary Wayne Harding (UNC), 18-0 – Minnesota leads, 9-0
141: A.C. Headlee (UNC) pinned #5 Mitch McKee (MINN), 7:35 – Minnesota leads, 9-5*
149: #5 Austin O'Connor (UNC) dec. Tommy Thorn (MINN), 7-3 – Minnesota leads, 9-8
157: #12 Steve Bleise (MINN) dec. Josh McClure (UNC), 8-6 – Minnesota leads, 12-8
165: Carson Brolsma (MINN) dec. Sawyer Davidson (UNC), 4-2 – Minnesota leads, 15-8
174: #16 Devin Skatzka (MINN) tech fall Will MacDonald (UNC), 17-0 – Minnesota leads 20-8
184: #11 Chip Ness (UNC) dec. Brandon Krone (MINN), 8-7 – Minnesota leads 20-11
197: Rylee Streifel (MINN) dec. Chasen Blair (UNC), 6-1 – Minnesota leads, 23-11
285: #2 Gable Steveson (MINN) pinned #15 Cory Daniel (UNC), 1:43 – Minnesota wins, 29-11
*UNC deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct`