GoHeels Exclusive: Tar Heels Primed For Rivalry Matchup

By Joe Wedra

CHAPEL HILL --- State Week.

It's held a special meaning in the past for Carolina wrestling, but this year's preparation to the team's dual with North Carolina State has a bit of an extra significance. There's not more pressure, rather more anticipation for the what's on the line.

If the No. 13 Tar Heels knock off the No. 10 Wolfpack, they'll clinch at least a share of the ACC dual meet title for the first time since 2002. And with just Duke left on the conference slate after NC State, it's reasonable to believe that Carolina could win the ACC outright for the first time since 1999 and finish the ACC regular season undefeated for the first time since 1997.

Needless to say, there's plenty of history to be made.

"I think we all know what's at stake this week," head coach Coleman Scott said. "But if anything, we're loose and just excited to capitalize on the opportunity. I wouldn't say there's pressure. We know we can beat NC State and that we have the guys to do something a lot of people don't think we can do."

Scott is looking for his first win over NC State as the head coach, hoping to give Carolina fans a win over the Wolfpack, something that hasn't been done since the 2012-13 season.

Early in the Scott era in Chapel Hill, the team struggled with matchups and has been out-wrestled by the notoriously strong NC State program. But year by year, the Tar Heels have taken steps forward to enter duals with a shot to take down their rivals on the other side of the Research Triangle.

This year, more than ever, there exists a palpable belief that this is in fact "the year".

North Carolina enters the weekend with six wrestlers ranked in Intermat's newest rankings: No. 20 Gary Wayne Harding (133 pounds), No. 4 Austin O'Connor (149), No. 20 Josh McClure (157), No. 15 Kennedy Monday (165), No. 14 Chip Ness (184) and No. 20 Cory Daniel (285).

Add in talents like A.C. Headlee (ranked 15th by FloWrestling at 141 pounds) and true freshman Brandon Whitman, who has a pair of wins over ranked wrestlers this season, and the Tar Heels have a full lineup prepared to make a bit of history in Carmichael Arena on Friday night.

"We're a very good team this year, and I'm not afraid to say that," Scott noted. "Do we have work to do? Absolutely. We're getting all of these guys ready for March. But right now, for the next few days, our goal is to hit the mat Friday night and give the fans at Carmichael a show they want to keep coming back for. That's our goal. That you come on Friday and understand how great the wrestling in this area is."

In the room, the week of practice has been and continues to be par for the course. Scott and Co. aren't adding any extra pressure. It isn't needed. Everyone feels the healthy pressure and there isn't a person in the locker room who doesn't understand what this Friday night means to both programs.

It's what respected rivalries are all about.

Two schools, a lot of talent, but one winner.

For now, Carolina is getting used to being that winner. The team has knocked off three ranked ACC foes (Virginia, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech) in a row, finding its stride after a bit of a struggle over winter break. The Tar Heels lost five of their nine duals from Dec. 15 to Jan. 11, including a 23-16 loss to unranked Princeton on the road.

But since then, things have been nothing short of ideal. It's all starting to come together for Scott's group – just in time to surprise the wrestling world and make a statement against the Wolfpack on Friday night.

"Every one of us in this room wants to beat State. Just like everyone in their room wants to beat us. That's what a great rivalry is all about," Scott said. "It's going to be a fun one. It will be a grind from the first match until the last. It's college wrestling at its best."

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cory Daniel

Gary Wayne Harding

A.C. Headlee

Josh McClure

Kennedy Monday

Chip Ness

Austin O'Connor

Brandon Whitman

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