University of North Carolina Athletics
Austin O'Connor finished third at nationals in his first NCAA appearance.
O'Connor Earns Top Honors To Highlight Wrestling Banquet
April 8, 2019 | Wrestling
CHAPEL HILL --- Redshirt freshman Austin O'Connor took home the 2019 T.J. Jaworsky Most Valuable Wrestler award to highlight the annual UNC wrestling team banquet, celebrating a record-setting year Friday at Top of the Hill.
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O'Connor, who went 34-6 on the season, finished third in the country at 149 pounds after knocking off No. 4 Brock Mauller of Missouri and No. 3 Mitch Finesilver of Duke en route to a top-3 podium finish. He and redshirt senior Chip Ness both made the semifinals, the first time two Tar Heels advanced to the semis since 1995.
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The other team awards:
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Highest GPA: A.J. Rechenmacher (4.0)
Brigadier General Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler Award: Nick Lirette
Most Falls: Clay Lautt (11)
Most Improved: Devin Kane
Weight Room Newcomer Award: Gary Wayne Harding
Weight Room Most Improved Award: A.C. Headlee
Weight Room Iron Ram Award: Gino Esposito
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The team also honored the program's seven seniors: Ness, Harding, Jack Clark, Cory Daniel, Grant Jefferson, Alex Rinaldi and James Szymanski.
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Thomas A. Gorry, a current U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General and former UNC wrestler, presented Lirette's award. It was the first presentation of the award to commemorate the student-athlete who the coaching staff feels embodies "Tar Heel hard work". Gorry is now the executive director for the Veterans Life Center in an effort to reintegrate homeless veterans into society.
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With the season wrapped up, many Tar Heels will turn their focus to the freestyle season beginning with the 2019 U.S. Open in Las Vegas April 24-28. Stay tuned to GoHeels.com and follow @UNCWrestling on Twitter for updates throughout the freestyle season.
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O'Connor, who went 34-6 on the season, finished third in the country at 149 pounds after knocking off No. 4 Brock Mauller of Missouri and No. 3 Mitch Finesilver of Duke en route to a top-3 podium finish. He and redshirt senior Chip Ness both made the semifinals, the first time two Tar Heels advanced to the semis since 1995.
Â
The other team awards:
Â
Highest GPA: A.J. Rechenmacher (4.0)
Brigadier General Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler Award: Nick Lirette
Most Falls: Clay Lautt (11)
Most Improved: Devin Kane
Weight Room Newcomer Award: Gary Wayne Harding
Weight Room Most Improved Award: A.C. Headlee
Weight Room Iron Ram Award: Gino Esposito
Â
The team also honored the program's seven seniors: Ness, Harding, Jack Clark, Cory Daniel, Grant Jefferson, Alex Rinaldi and James Szymanski.
Â
Thomas A. Gorry, a current U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General and former UNC wrestler, presented Lirette's award. It was the first presentation of the award to commemorate the student-athlete who the coaching staff feels embodies "Tar Heel hard work". Gorry is now the executive director for the Veterans Life Center in an effort to reintegrate homeless veterans into society.
Â
With the season wrapped up, many Tar Heels will turn their focus to the freestyle season beginning with the 2019 U.S. Open in Las Vegas April 24-28. Stay tuned to GoHeels.com and follow @UNCWrestling on Twitter for updates throughout the freestyle season.
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