Seven Virginia Cavaliers Selected to the Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Wrestling Team

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Aug. 15, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Wrestling Team was announced today by Commissioner John Swofford. The 50-member team was voted on by the five league institutions that sponsor the sport as decided by the league’s 50th Anniversary Committee. Virginia had seven former wrestlers selected to the squad. The seven Cavaliers named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Wrestling Team, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Derek Capanna, Steve Garland, Jim Harshaw, Henry Jordan, Mike Krafchick, John Matyiko and Matt Roth.

Also, current UVa head wrestling coach Lenny Bernstein was selected to the team following his collegiate wrestling performances during his career at the University of North Carolina (1985-1988).

North Carolina and N.C. State led all league schools with 15 members each on the Golden Anniversary team. Maryland finished with 10 honorees, Virginia had seven selections and was followed by Clemson with three.

Here is an inside look at UVa’s seven members of the ACC 50th Anniversary Wrestling Team:

Derek Capanna (1985-1989) was named an All-American after gathering the honor in 1989. Capanna was a two-time ACC Champion at 177 lbs. in 1988 and 1989 and was a two-time All-ACC selection in 1988 and 1989. He stands seventh all-time at Virginia with 85 career victories and holds the all-time UVa records for the most wins in a single season with 42, the most wins in single season by a senior with 42, the most dual match victories in a single season with 18 (18-0) and the most dual match wins by a senior in a single season with 18 in 1989.

Steve Garland (1996-2000) was named an All-American after gathering the honor in 2000. Garland stands fifth all-time at Virginia with 91 career wins and was named the 2000 ACC Wrestler of the Year. He was also named the ACC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1997. Garland was a two-time selection of the All-ACC team in 1998 and 2000 and finished runner-up at 125 lbs. in the 2000 NCAA Tournament Wrestling Championship. He was the ACC 126 lbs. champion in 1997 and was a three-time competitor in the NCAA Tournament in 1997, 1998 and 2000. Garland is currently serving as an assistant wrestling coach at Cornell University.

Jim Harshaw (1994-1999) was named an All-American s after gathering the honor in 1999. Harshaw is tied for second all-time at Virginia with 102 career wins and is fourth all-time at UVa for dual match wins in a career with 37. He stands second all-time for most pins in a career at UVa with 24 and was a three-time ACC Champion after earning back-to-back ACC Championship titles at 150 lbs. in 1997 and 1998 before claiming the 165 lbs. title in 1999. Harshaw was a four-time member of the All-ACC squad after being selected in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and was a four-time competitor in the NCAA Tournament in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. He was also an NWCA Academic All-American selection in 1999. Harshaw is currently serving as the head wrestling coach at Slippery Rock University.

Henry Jordan (1953-1957) was Virginia’s first ever All-American wrestler after gathering the honor in 1957. Jordan was the ACC heavyweight champion in 1957 and holds the all-time Virginia record for best winning percentage in a career with a .905 average after going 38-4 from 1955-1957. He stands fourth all-time at UVa with 18 career pins and stands in fifth place all-time at UVa with a .929 winning percentage in a single season after setting the marks in back-to-back seasons in 1956 and 1957 with identical 13-1 records.

Mike Krafchick (1990-1995) was named an All-American after gathering the honor in 1994. Krafchick holds Virginia’s record for most wins in a career with 116 and the most dual matches in a career with 42. He is tied for sixth all-time at UVa with 14 career pins and holds the Virginia record for most wins by a junior with 32 in 1994. Krafchick was a Second Team All-Freshman choice in 1990 and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. He was also a four-time All-ACC selection in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995 and was the ACC Champion at 142 lbs. in 1995.

John Matyiko (1986-1991) was named an All-American after gathering the honor in 1989. Matyiko was a Second Team Freshman All-American selection in 1987-88 and a two-time All-ACC selection in 1989 and 1991. He earned the ACC heavyweight Champion in 1989 and finished tied for eighth all-time at Virginia with 30 career dual match victories.

Matt Roth (1994-1999) was named an All-American after gathering the honor in 1999. Roth holds Virginia’s record for most pins in a career with 28. He is also tied for second all-time at Virginia with 102 career wins and is second all-time at UVa for dual match wins in a career with 41. Roth was a four-time NCAA Tournament qualifier after competing in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999 and was a three-time NWCA Academic All-American choice in 1995, 1996 and 1999. He was the ACC Champion at 125 lbs. and was named the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Wrestler in 1999. Roth was also named an All-ACC selection in 1995 and 1999.

Also of note:

Lenny Bernstein, North Carolina (1985-1988), was an All-America wrestler at 142 pounds at UNC in 1987 and was the ACC Champion at 142 pounds in 1986 & 1987. Bernstein also finished fourth at the NCAA Championships in 1987. He is currently serving as the head wrestling coach at Virginia and is entering his tenth season as UVa’s head coach. Bernstein has posted an overall coaching record of 66-64-2 overall including a mark of 20-18 in the ACC through nine seasons. He has developed four All-American wrestlers at Virginia (Garland, Harshaw, Krafchick and Roth), has directed numerous individual Cavaliers to nine consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, coached 20 ACC Champions and was named the Coach of the Year in Virginia three times over the last nine years.

— UVa —