Tar Heels Earn Two Dual Wins

Monday, November 1

Chapel Hill, N.C.

3 PM

North Carolina

Life

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 1, 2021 | Wrestling

CHAPEL HILL - The No. 14 North Carolina wrestling team collected two dual wins to open its 2021-22 season Monday in Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels notched a 29-6 victory over Life University before taking down Queen's University 48-0 later in the evening.

In the first match against Life, Spencer Moore started at 125 for the Tar Heels as he earned the close 3-2 decision. No. 13 Jaime Hernandez looked impressive at 133, taking a 13-5 major decision. In an intense match at 141 No. 13 Kizhan Clarke took the 6-3 decision. No. 5 Zach Sherman dominated his 149-pound match with a 13-2 major decision. Defending national champion No. 2 Austin O'Connor started his campaign with a 12-4 major decision at 157 pounds.

After the midway point, Sonny Santiago took a close 5-3 decision at 165. At 174 pounds, No. 22 Gavin Kane looked impressive in an 8-3 decision. In the 184 bout, Mark Chaid battled and earned the 2-0 decision. In the Tar Heels, only loss of the day No. 23 Max Shaw suffered the defeat by pin in the third period at 197 pounds. To round out the first match No. 33 Brandon Whitman took the 8-0 major decision in the 285 bout.

"Life wrestled tough and laid it all on the line; that's why we wanted to face them," North Carolina head coach Coleman Scott said. "It was really good for our guys to respond to them. They had some tough outs, and nothing was easy in the match. It was awesome."

The second match against Queen's Spencer Moore added to the scoring earning a 12-3 major decision. Joe Heilmann did quick work at 141, making the pin in the first period. No. 14 Kizhan Clarke (20-3) and No. 5 Zach Sherman (21-5) earned back-to-back technical falls in the 141 and 149 weight classes. At 157 No. 2 Austin O'Connor would give the Tar Heels its second pin of the day.

In his first bout of the season, Joey Mazzara would take the match by a 16-5 major decision at 165. In 174-weight class No. 17, Clay Lautt wore down his opponent and took the match by pin in the third period. Mark Chaid picked up an impressive 7-0 decision at 184. At 197, Hunter Queen earned his first win of the season with a 7-0 decision. At 285 No. 33 Brandon Whitman ended the day on a high note with a quick first-period pin.

With two wins today, Coleman Scott collected his 62nd and 63rd dual win as a head coach. It would also mark the Tar Heel's third consecutive home opener win, and the team is 5-2 in home openers dating back to the 2014-15 season.

Next Sunday, North Carolina will be back in action as they travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

No. 14 North Carolina 29, Life University 6
Nov. 1, 2021 | Carmichael Arena | Chapel Hill, N.C.
125: Spencer Moore (UNC) Dec. Brandon Orum (LIFE) 3-2
133: No. 13 Jaime Hernandez (UNC) MD Hunter Sparks (LIFE) 13-5
141: No. 14 Kizhan Clarke (UNC) Dec. Jacob Ruiz (LIFE) 6-3
149: No. 5 Zach Sherman (UNC) MD Yarhoski Aldiva (LIFE) 13-2
157: No. 2 Austin O'Connor (UNC) MD Jack Bass (LIFE) 12-4
165: Sonny Santiago (UNC) Dec. Ashton Habeil (LIFE) 5-3
174: No. 22 Gavin Kane (UNC) Dec. Asher Eichert (LIFE) 8-3
184: Mark Chaid (UNC) Dec. Myles Starke (LIFE) 2-0
197: Zane Lanham (LIFE) Pin No. 23 Max Shaw (UNC)
285: No. 33 Brandon Whitman (UNC) M.D. J.J. Perez (LIFE) 8-0

No. 14 North Carolina 48, Queen's University 0
Nov. 1, 2021 | Carmichael Arena | Chapel Hill, N.C.
125: Spencer Moore (UNC) MD Melvin Rubio (QU) 12-3
133: Joe Heilmann (UNC) Pin Lucas Comroe (QU)
141: No. 14 Kizhan Clarke (UNC) TF Nico D'Amico (QU) 20-3
149: No. 5 Zach Sherman (UNC) TF Toure' Moore (QU) 21-5
157: No. 2 Austin O'Connor (UNC) Pin Jacob Balmas (QU)
165: Joey Mazzara (UNC) MD Jay Skalecki (QU) 16-5
174: No. 17 Clay Lautt (UNC) Pin Stephon Halliburton (QU)
184: Mark Chaid (UNC) Dec. Noah Curreri (QU) 7-0
197: Hunter Queen (UNC) Dec. Riley Kuhn (QU) 7-0
285: No. 33 Brandon Whitman (UNC) Pin Gabriel Anderson (QU)