Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Seven Tar Heel Wrestlers In Second NCAA Coaches' Rankings
February 13, 2025 | Wrestling
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Seven North Carolina wrestlers were ranked in the second NCAA Coaches' Rankings for the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, announced Thursday morning.
Spencer Moore (No. 11 at 125), Ethan Oakley (No. 12 at 133), Jayden Scott (No. 21 at 141), Lachlan McNeil (No. 5 at 149), Sonny Santiago (No. 24 at 157), Joshua Ogunsanya (No. 17 at 174) and Gavin Kane (No. 21 at 184) were among the Tar Heel representation.
The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of 16 coaches in each weight class, with two head coaches from each of the eight conferences.
With an overall record of 13-5, Moore has six dual wins on the year thus far. The Crittenden, Ky. product has been named the ACC's Wrestler of the Week twice this season, holding two top-15 wins to his resume.
In his first season in Chapel Hill, Oakley holds 16 wins to his resume this season, eight of which have come in duals. A transfer from Appalachian State, Oakley has begun ACC action with four-straight conference wins.Â
Scott, a redshirt-sophomore, has 11 wins on the year, three of which are bonus-point victories. The Henrietta, N.Y. product began the 2024-25 campaign with five-straight wins, as well as a defeat over No. 9 Mosha Schwartz of Oklahoma at Southern Scuffle.
A two-time All-America for the Tar Heels, McNeil is tied with Oakley for a team-best 16 wins on the campaign, 10 of which have come with bonus points. Bumping up to 149 pounds prior to the year, McNeil has faced nine ranked wrestlers during the year.
Earning his first NCAA Championship berth a year ago, Santiago has seven wins this season, four of which have come in dual action. The Tar Heel 157-pounder collected his first ranked win on the year against Illinois' 20th-ranked Jason Kraisser in November, a 10-3 decision.
A transfer from Columbia, Ogunsanya has eight wins on the year, including three victories in ACC duals. Ogunsanya made his Carolina debut at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in December, collecting two wins in his first Tar Heel action. The Illinois native made his Carmichael Arena debut against Virginia Tech, collecting a 7-5 decision against 13th-ranked Lennox Wolak.
Kane, a 2023 All-America, has 13 wins on the season and eight dual wins during the year. The Milton, Ga. product has four ranked victories during the campaign, highlighted by a top-10 win against Illinois' Edmond Ruth.
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Spencer Moore (No. 11 at 125), Ethan Oakley (No. 12 at 133), Jayden Scott (No. 21 at 141), Lachlan McNeil (No. 5 at 149), Sonny Santiago (No. 24 at 157), Joshua Ogunsanya (No. 17 at 174) and Gavin Kane (No. 21 at 184) were among the Tar Heel representation.
The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of 16 coaches in each weight class, with two head coaches from each of the eight conferences.
With an overall record of 13-5, Moore has six dual wins on the year thus far. The Crittenden, Ky. product has been named the ACC's Wrestler of the Week twice this season, holding two top-15 wins to his resume.
In his first season in Chapel Hill, Oakley holds 16 wins to his resume this season, eight of which have come in duals. A transfer from Appalachian State, Oakley has begun ACC action with four-straight conference wins.Â
Scott, a redshirt-sophomore, has 11 wins on the year, three of which are bonus-point victories. The Henrietta, N.Y. product began the 2024-25 campaign with five-straight wins, as well as a defeat over No. 9 Mosha Schwartz of Oklahoma at Southern Scuffle.
A two-time All-America for the Tar Heels, McNeil is tied with Oakley for a team-best 16 wins on the campaign, 10 of which have come with bonus points. Bumping up to 149 pounds prior to the year, McNeil has faced nine ranked wrestlers during the year.
Earning his first NCAA Championship berth a year ago, Santiago has seven wins this season, four of which have come in dual action. The Tar Heel 157-pounder collected his first ranked win on the year against Illinois' 20th-ranked Jason Kraisser in November, a 10-3 decision.
A transfer from Columbia, Ogunsanya has eight wins on the year, including three victories in ACC duals. Ogunsanya made his Carolina debut at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in December, collecting two wins in his first Tar Heel action. The Illinois native made his Carmichael Arena debut against Virginia Tech, collecting a 7-5 decision against 13th-ranked Lennox Wolak.
Kane, a 2023 All-America, has 13 wins on the season and eight dual wins during the year. The Milton, Ga. product has four ranked victories during the campaign, highlighted by a top-10 win against Illinois' Edmond Ruth.
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