University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
UNC Closes Regular Season Ranked No. 7 in NWCA Poll
February 26, 2020 | Wrestling
CHAPEL HILL --- With a 14-3 dual meet season record, North Carolina posted its highest single-season winning percentage (.823) since 1997. On Tuesday, it was officially announced that the Tar Heels finished seventh in the NWCA Coaches Poll, the second-highest finish in the ACC behind third-ranked N.C. State.
The ranking caps a dual meet season that had just a bit of everything for the Tar Heels from November through the middle of February. The season helped the team total a 26-win mark over the last two seasons, the most it has had in that span since 1996-1997.
Over the course of the year, the Tar Heels knocked off five ranked opponents, including a pair ranked inside of the top-10 (No. 3 Virginia Tech and No. 9 Pittsburgh). In January, UNC went back-to-back with wins over ranked schools, defeating No. 12 Princeton (25-11) and then Virginia Tech (23-10), both in decisive matches.
Carolina's middle of the lineup was dominant this season, serving as the anchor of each dual meet:
Zach Sherman (141 pounds): 14-3 dual meet (4-1 ACC)
Austin O'Connor (149 pounds): 13-0 dual meet (5-0 ACC)
A.C. Headlee (157 pounds): 10-5 dual meet (3-2 ACC)
Kennedy Monday (165 pounds): 12-3 dual meet (4-0 ACC)
Clay Lautt (174 pounds) 13-3 dual meet (3-2 ACC).
O'Connor's undefeated dual meet season is the first such accomplishment since Nathan Kraisser did not lose a match in a dual at 125 pounds in the 2012-13 season (14-0, 5-0 ACC).
In its 17 duals this year, UNC used eight different lineups throughout the entirety of the schedule. Over the course of the year, 17 different Tar Heels started for Carolina in a dual meet.
The Tar Heels will hit the mat next on March 8 at the 2020 ACC Championships in Pittsburgh. Fans can purchase tickets and find more information on the event at this link.
The ranking caps a dual meet season that had just a bit of everything for the Tar Heels from November through the middle of February. The season helped the team total a 26-win mark over the last two seasons, the most it has had in that span since 1996-1997.
Over the course of the year, the Tar Heels knocked off five ranked opponents, including a pair ranked inside of the top-10 (No. 3 Virginia Tech and No. 9 Pittsburgh). In January, UNC went back-to-back with wins over ranked schools, defeating No. 12 Princeton (25-11) and then Virginia Tech (23-10), both in decisive matches.
Carolina's middle of the lineup was dominant this season, serving as the anchor of each dual meet:
Zach Sherman (141 pounds): 14-3 dual meet (4-1 ACC)
Austin O'Connor (149 pounds): 13-0 dual meet (5-0 ACC)
A.C. Headlee (157 pounds): 10-5 dual meet (3-2 ACC)
Kennedy Monday (165 pounds): 12-3 dual meet (4-0 ACC)
Clay Lautt (174 pounds) 13-3 dual meet (3-2 ACC).
O'Connor's undefeated dual meet season is the first such accomplishment since Nathan Kraisser did not lose a match in a dual at 125 pounds in the 2012-13 season (14-0, 5-0 ACC).
In its 17 duals this year, UNC used eight different lineups throughout the entirety of the schedule. Over the course of the year, 17 different Tar Heels started for Carolina in a dual meet.
The Tar Heels will hit the mat next on March 8 at the 2020 ACC Championships in Pittsburgh. Fans can purchase tickets and find more information on the event at this link.
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