Virginia Falls At North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Virginia wrestling team (6-4, 0-2 ACC) won three weight classes on Friday night (Jan. 27) but fell at North Carolina (6-6, 2-0 ACC) by a score of 30-9 in ACC action at Carmichael Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a dual that started at heavyweight, the Tar Heels built the early lead by claiming the first four weight classes of the night before the Cavaliers would get on the board with a victory from Jarod Verkleeren at 149 pounds. UNC would win again at 157 pounds before Virginia’s Justin McCoy picked up a decision at 165 pounds. The Cavaliers then got the final victory over the evening at 197 pounds as Michael Battista closed out the night with a decision.
NOTES ON THE DUAL
• North Carolina leads the all-time series with the Cavaliers 50-32-0.
• Jarod Verkleeren and Justin McCoy improved to 5-1 in dual action this year while Michael Battista is 8-2.
• Battista continued to build on his team-leading wins with 23 victories this season and a 23-6 overall mark.
FROM HEAD COACH STEVE GARLAND
“We need to get back to the brand of Virginia wrestling we were putting out earlier in the year. The way we are wrestling now is not ok. I love my guys; they know that. We had a long talk in the locker room and I’m looking forward to seeing changes moving forward with everyone, including myself.”
NORTH CAROLINA 30, VIRGINIA 9
HWT: Aydin Guttridge (UNC) dec. Ethan Weatherspoon, 8-3 – UNC 3, UVA 0
125: No. 19 Jack Wagner (UNC) major dec. Patrick McCormick, 13-4 – UNC 7, UVA 0
133: Jace Palmer (UNC) dec. Keyveon Roller, 6-1 – UNC 10, UVA 0
141: No. 13 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) pinned Dylan Cedeno, 2:00 – UNC 16, UVA 0
149: No. 28 Jarod Verkleeren dec. No. 25 Zach Sherman (UNC), 6-4 – UNC 16, UVA 3
157: No. 3 Austin O’Connor (UNC) tech fall Jake Keating, 22-8 (7:00) – UNC 21, UVA 3
165: No. 17 Justin McCoy dec. Joey Mazzara (UNC), 6-4 – UNC 21, UVA 6
174: Michael Goldfeder (UNC) over Vic Marcelli by injury default – UNC 27, UVA 6
184: No. 13 Gavin Kane (UNC) dec. No. 18 Neil Antrassian, 6-4 – UNC 30, UVA 6
197: Michael Battista dec. Cade Lautt (UNC), 9-7 – UNC 30, UVA 9