Tar Heels Fall to ASU; Finish Best Regular Season Since 1997

Sunday, February 23

Chapel Hill, N.C.

2 p.m.

North Carolina

Arizona State

Photo by: Barron Northrup

February 23, 2020 | Wrestling

Photo Gallery

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – No. 8 North Carolina dropped its final dual meet of the season on Sunday to No. 5 Arizona State, 22-9 in Carmichael Arena.

With the loss, Carolina officially finishes the season 14-3. This marks the first time since 2002 that Carolina has won 14 dual meets in a single season. The team's .823 winning percentage is the best mark since 1997.

After Arizona State took the first match of the day at 125 pounds, Jaime Hernandez used a two-takedown second period to defeat Josh Kramer at 133 pounds, tying the dual at three early.

Zach Sherman's early takedown at 141 pounds helped him to a 4-2 decision over Cory Crooks, setting up No. 3 Austin O'Connor to give the Tar Heels back-to-back-to-back wins. O'Connor scored early and fought a gritty seven minutes, picking up a riding time point and another on stalling to win, 5-2, over ASU's Josh Maruca.

After O'Connor's win, the Sun Devils won the final six bouts of the afternoon. At both 157 and 165 pounds, ASU won a pair of ranked duals in tight decisions. No. 12 Jacori Teemer knocked off No. 16 A.C. Headlee, 3-2, while No. 6 Josh Shields topped No. 13 Kennedy Monday in a 6-2 decision.

The Sun Devils, with ranked wrestlers at three of the final four weights, took control of the dual meet late.

At 184 pounds, Cade Belshay and Joey Mazzara went back and forth in a match that had the potential to shift the direction of the dual meet. Mazzara scored late and was on a leg as time winded down, but Belshay held off the final attack and won, 8-6, to give ASU a 16-9 lead in the team score.

Andrew Gunning gave No. 4 Tanner Hall all he could handle at heavyweight, but narrowly dropped a 3-1 match to end the afternoon. Gunning had the opportunity to score a single leg takedown late in the match, but Hall fought at the edge and held on to wrap up a 22-9 win.

Next up for Carolina will be the ACC Championships in Pittsburgh on March 8.

No. 5 Arizona State 22, No. 8 North Carolina 9

125: No. 8 Brandon Courtney (ASU) dec. Joey Melendez (UNC), 6-3 – UNC leads, 3-0
133: Jaime Hernandez (UNC) dec. Josh Kramer (ASU), 7-6 – Tied, 3-3
141: Zach Sherman (UNC) dec. Cory Crooks (ASU), 4-2 – UNC leads, 6-3
149: Austin O'Connor (UNC) dec. Josh Maruca (ASU), 5-2 – UNC leads, 9-3
157: No. 12 Jacori Teemer (ASU) dec. No. 16 A.C. Headlee (UNC), 3-2 (TB1) – UNC leads, 9-6
165: No. 6 Josh Shields (ASU) dec. No. 13 Kennedy Monday (UNC), 6-2 – Tied, 9-9
174: No. 9 Anthony Valencia (ASU) maj. dec. Clay Lautt (UNC), 10-2 – ASU leads, 13-9
184: Cade Belshay (ASU) dec. Joey Mazzara (UNC), 8-6 – ASU leads, 16-9
197: No. 9 Kordell Norfleet (ASU) dec. Brandon Whitman (UNC), 10-5 – ASU leads, 19-9
285: No. 4 Tanner Hall (ASU) dec. Andrew Gunning (UNC), 2-1 – ASU leads, 22-9