No. 12 North Carolina Visits No. 3 Virginia Tech Friday To Begin ACC Competition

Photo by: Barron Northrup

No. 12 North Carolina Visits No. 3 Virginia Tech Friday To Begin ACC Competition

January 22, 2020 | Wrestling

By: UNC Athletic Communications

No. 12 North Carolina (8-1) will begin its ACC competition Friday night when it travels to No. 3 Virginia Tech (8-0) for a crucial in-conference clash. The dual is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

North Carolina is well-represented in this week's national rankings. Led by No. 2 Austin O'Connor at 149 pounds and No. 12 Zach Sherman at 141 (Intermat), the Tar Heels have climbed up to their highest ranking this season in the NWCA Coaches Poll at No. 12.

UNC is 3-0 against ranked dual teams this season, knocking off No. 19 Michigan, No. 21 Army and No. 12 Princeton. Last season, the Tar Heels defeated Virginia Tech (then ranked 11^th), 18-14 in Carmichael Arena. The win was highlighted by Brandon Whitman's decision over No. 7 Tom Sleigh (7-4).

Virginia Tech is unbeaten this season with several standout wins on the year. The team knocked off Ohio State (21-15) earlier in the season; last Sunday's 23-9 win over No. 19 Cornell moved Tony Robie's team to 8-0. The Hokies are led by two top-five wrestlers: No. 2 Hunter Bolen at 184 pounds and No. 3 David McFadden at 165 pounds.

Fans can watch the dual on ACC Network or on the Watch ESPN app at this link.

North Carolina Probables

125: Jeremiah Derby (4-4) OR Joey Melendez (3-3)
133: Jaime Hernandez (11-5)
141: #12 Zach Sherman (19-3)
149: #2 Austin O'Connor (15-1)
157: #19 A.C. Headlee (11-5) OR Josh McClure (14-5) OR Michael Goldfeder (1-4)
165: #17 Kennedy Monday (16-4) OR Sawyer Davidson (13-5)
174: Clay Lautt (13-4)
184: Joey Mazzara (14-9)
197: Brandon Whitman (8-10)
285: Andrew Gunning (7-7) OR Keaton Kluever (1-2)

Virginia Tech Probables

125: #11 Joey Prata (15-6)
133: Collin Gerardi (10-6)
141: #18 Mitch Moore (12-6)
149: Bryce Andonian (13-3)
157: #18 B.C. LaPrade (10-3)
165: #3 David McFadden (16-2)
174: Cody Hughes (9-7)
184: #2 Hunter Bolen (18-1)
197: Stanley Smeltzer (10-10) OR Cody Howard (10-7)
285: #17 John Borst (15-5)