Wrestling Splits Matchups Monday Night

Monday, December 19

New Orleans, La.

5 PM

North Carolina

Central Michigan

Jack Wagner
University of North Carolina Wrestling v Michigan
Boshamer Stadium
Chapel Hill, NC
Sunday, November 13, 2022

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

December 19, 2022 | Wrestling

NEW ORLEANS, LA. - The No. 17 North Carolina wrestling program split its dual matches Monday evening, at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals, hosted by Journeymen Wrestling.

To begin the two-day event, the Heels defeated Central Michigan, 28-7. In the matchup with the Chippewas, the Tar Heels earned victories at 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 184 and 197.

Jack Wagner (125) and Joey Melendez (133) collected decisions for Carolina, jumping out to an early lead. Lachlan McNeil continued his success of late, with the 21-5 technical fall.

At 149-pounds, Danny Nini secured the 5-1 decision, as Austin O'Connor followed with a 13-4 major decision of his own for back-to-back victories against ranked opponents for UNC. Nicholas Fea continued the success for North Carolina with an 8-5 decision, as the Tar Heels were victorious in the matchup's first six showdowns.

The Tar Heels would close the opening dual with Central Michigan with a 10-3 decision by Gavin Kane (184), and a 14-5 major decision courtesy of Max Shaw (197).

No. 17 North Carolina 28, Central Michigan 7
125: No. 33 Jack Wagner (UNC) over Anthony Walker (CMU) (10-3 Dec)
133: No. 29 Joey Melendez (UNC) over Vincente Perez (CMU) (2-1 Dec)
141: No. 25 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) over Jimmy Nugent (CMU) (21-5 TF)
149: Danny Nini (UNC) over No. 20 Johnny Lovett (CMU) (5-1 Dec)
157: No. 6 Austin O'Connor (UNC) over No. 31 Corbyn Munson (CMU) (13-4 MD)
165: Nichola Fea (UNC) over Tracy Hubbard (CMU) (8-5 Dec)
174: Alex Cramer (CMU) over Cade Tenold (UNC) (10-0 MD)
184: No. 17 Gavin Kane (UNC) over Benjamin Cushman (CMU) (10-3 Dec)
197: No. 31 Max Shaw (UNC) over Cade Dallwitz (CMU) (14-5 MD)
285: Bryan Caves (CMU) over Brandon Whitman (UNC) (4-1 Dec)

In the nightcap, the Tar Heels would fall to No. 1 Penn State, 37-3. Against the Nittany Lions, UNC 125-pounder Jack Wagner was victorious, securing the 5-1 decision.

No. 1 Penn State 37, No. 17 North Carolina 3
125: No. 33 Jack Wagner (UNC) over Gary Steen (PSU) (5-1 Dec)
133: No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) over Jace Palmer (UNC) (26-11 TF)
141: No. 5 Beau Bartlett (PSU) over No. 25 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) (4-1 Dec)
149: No. 17 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) over Jayden Scott (UNC) (2-0 Dec)
157: Levi Haines (PSU) over Danny Nini (UNC) (4-1 Dec)
165: No. 14 Alex Facundo (PSU) over Nicholas Fea (UNC) (5-2 dec)
174: No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) over Cade Tenold (UNC) (18-3 TF)
184: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) over No. 17 Gavin Kane (UNC) (Fall 0:54)
197: No. 5 Max Dean (PSU) over No. 31 Max Shaw (UNC) (10-2 MD)
285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) over Brandon Whitman (UNC) (17-1 TF)

The Tar Heels return tomorrow for day two of the Collegiate Wrestling Duals.