North Carolina
NC State
Carolina Dominates NC State 34-12
February 4, 2010 | Wrestling
Feb. 4, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina wrestling team got back on track Thursday night by winning eight individual bouts in a 34-12 victory over NC State at Reynolds Coliseum. With the victory, Carolina improves to 4-7-1 and 2-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference action while NCSU fell to 5-10 overall and 1-2 in the league.
Carolina wrestlers earned decisive victories in five separate bouts, as the Tar Heels earned two pins, claimed a technical fall victory and recorded two major decision wins. The win was the Tar Heels' first dual victory since a 26-12 decision over Duke in Chapel Hill on Jan. 12.
Carolina jumped out to a quick start when 174-pounder Thomas Ferguson prevailed in a 6-3 decision over Quinton Godley. With the win, Ferguson inches above .500 by improving his record to 9-8 on the season. However, after the Wolfpack earned a victory via forfeit at 184 pounds, the Tar Heels trailed 6-3.
The lead was short-lived and would be the last the Wolfpack would have on the night. UNC senior Dennis Drury pinned Christian McClean in only 2:39 at 197 pounds to earn six team points for the Tar Heels. The pin was Drury's seventh of the season, which leads the squad.
Carolina kept the momentum when heavyweight Ziad Haddad notched a 4-2 decision over Eloheim Palma. The victory moved Haddad to 4-0 in conference after he did not compete in the league opener against Maryland. Next, 125-pounder Brian Bokoski recorded his first conference win with a 16-7 major decision victory over Mike Moreno. The score reflected the most points the freshman has racked up in a bout all season.
With the Tar Heels leading 16-6, Tar Heel senior Jeremy Shaw registered a pin late in the third period at 133 pounds over Scott Norris. After Mike Rappo dominated Dale Shull by an 18-8 score, the Tar Heels had taken complete control and led 26-6. The win was the first for Rappo since the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 28, as he missed two dual meets earlier this month with an injury.
In the 149-pound weight class, Jon Burns suffered his first defeat as a Tar Heel when he was pinned at the 6:12 mark by NCSU's Bobby Ward. Burns, who recently joined the squad after transferring from Nebraska, is now 2-1.
Tenth-ranked 157-pounder Thomas Scotton regained his form with a 15-0 technical fall victory over NC State's Brett Farina. Scotton, who began the season 22-2, had lost three consecutive tight bouts but rebounded with a convincing victory. Kyle Kiss closed the meet on a strong note for the Tar Heels when he defeated Ray Ward 6-3, bringing the final to 34-12.
North Carolina 34, NC State 12 174 - Thomas Ferguson (UNC) dec. Quinton Godley, 6-3 (UNC 3-0) 184 - Cedric Moore (NCS) won by forfeit (NCS 6-3) 197 - Dennis Drury (UNC) pinned Christian McClean, at 2:39 (UNC 9-6) Hwt - Ziad Haddad (UNC) dec. Eloheim Palma, 4-2 (UNC 12-6) 125 - Brian Bokoski (UNC) major dec. Mike Moreno, 16-7 (UNC 16-6) 133 - Jeremy Shaw (UNC) pinned Scott Norris, at 6:22 (UNC 22-6) 141 - Mike Rappo (UNC) major dec. Dale Shull, 18-8 (UNC 26-6) 149 - Bobby Ward (NCS) pinned Jon Burns, at 6:12 (UNC 26-12) 157 - #10 Thomas Scotton (UNC) tech fall Brett Farina, 15-0 (UNC 31-12) 165 - Kyle Kiss (UNC) dec. Ray Ward (NCS), 6-3 (UNC 34-12)
Players Mentioned
