North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Wrestling Begins ACC Action, Concludes Non-Conference Duals This Weekend
January 25, 2024 | Wrestling
Dual Information - Virginia Tech
Date/Time: Friday, January 26 - 7 PM
Location: Cassell Coliseum - Blacksburg, Va.Â
Watch: ACCNX
Dual Information - Navy
Date/Time: Sunday, January 28 - 3 PM
Location: Carmichael Arena - Chapel Hill, N.C.Â
Watch: ACCNX
Sunday In Carmichael
• Prior to Sunday's match against Navy, the program will be hosting a free Youth Clinic, from 1:30-2:30.Â
• Sunday's dual with the Midshipmen will be Military Appreciation Day.Â
Last Time Out
• Last time on the mat, Carolina welcomed Penn, Brown and Harvard to Carmichael Arena.Â
• On Friday (1/13), Carolina fell to Penn. Lachlan McNeil (141) and Max Shaw (197) each collected ranked victories, with Cade Lautt (285) rounding out the night with key late takedowns to secure the decision.
• The following afternoon (1/14), Carolina split its duals with Brown and Harvard. In the opener against the Bears, Carolina completed the clean sweep, courtesy of four major decisions, four decisions, a fall and forfeit. McNeil (141), Wil Guida (149), Isaias Estrada (165) and Tyler Eischens (174) won by major decision, with Shaw (197) earning a first period fall.
• Against the Crimson, the Tar Heels earned five victories, highlighted by major decisions courtesy of McNeil (141), Shaw (197) and Lautt (285). Carolina also received decisions from Jace Palmer (133) and Sonny Santiago (157).
• Carolina is 31-42-2 all-time against the Hokies, with the first matchup occurring nearly a century ago, January 31, 1924.Â
• The Tar Heels are looking for their first win in Blacksburg since the 2019-20 campaign, a 23-10 mark in favor of Carolina.Â
• Carolina and Navy meet for the first time since the 2015-16 season.Â
NCAA Reveals First Coaches' Rankings
• On Monday, the NCAA revealed the first Coaches' Rankings of the season, for the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.Â
• The rankings are determined by a vote of 14 coaches, with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences.Â
• Six Tar Heels were ranked in the initial announcement:
  - 125: Spencer Moore - No. 30
  - 141: Lachlan McNeil - No. 5
  - 149: Jayden Scott - No. 22
  - 174: Tyler Eischens - No. 30
  - 184: Gavin Kane - No. 22
  - 197: Max Shaw - No. 17
Tar Heels In The Polls
• Entering the weekend, five Tar Heels are ranked in the weekly InterMat Wrestling rankings:
  - 125: Spencer Moore - No. 29
  - 141: Lachlan McNeil - No. 5
  - 149: Jayden Scott - No. 33
  - 184: Gavin Kane - No. 23
  - 197: Max Shaw - No. 19
Six Traveling To Appalachian Open
• The group of Connor Alexander, Omaury Alvarez, Adam Honis, Marcus Murabito, Nolan O'Boyle and Jayden Scott will travel Saturday morning to the Appalachian Open in Boone.Â
• Live results for the tournament can be found here.Â
Probable Starting Lineups
Carolina at No. 12 Virginia Tech
125: No. 29 Spencer Moore vs. No. 6 Cooper Flynn
133: Jace Palmer vs. No. 11 Sam LatonaÂ
141: No. 5 Lachlan McNeil vs. No. 14 Tom Crook
149: Wil Guida vs. No. 2 Caleb Henson
157: Sonny Santiago vs. Clayton Ulrey or Kylan Montgomery
165: Isaias Estrada vs. No. 23 Connor Brady
174: Tyler Eischens vs. No. 2 Mehki Lewis
184: No. 23 Gavin Kane vs. No. 19 Sam Fisher or TJ Stewart
197: No. 19 Max Shaw vs. No. 26 Andy Smith
285: Cade Lautt vs. No. 21 Hunter CatkaÂ
Carolina vs. No. 23 Navy
125: No. 29 Spencer Moore vs. Hayden Benter
133: Jace Palmer vs. No. 33 Brendan Ferretti
141: No. 5 Lachlan McNeil vs. No. 12 Josh Koderhandt
149: Wil Guida or No. 33 Jayden Scott vs. Nicholas Vafiadis or Kaemen Smith
157: Sonny Santiago vs. Jonathan Ley or Charlie Evans
165: Isaias Estrada vs. No. 19 Andrew CernigliaÂ
174: Tyler Eischens vs. No. 27 Danny Wask
184: No. 23 Gavin Kane vs. David Key
197: No. 19 Max Shaw vs. Daniel Williams
285: Cade Lautt vs. No. 20 Grady GreissÂ
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Players Mentioned
