Wrestling Welcomes 10 Newcomers For 2025-26 Campaign

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Entering year three under the direction of head coach Rob Koll, the North Carolina wrestling program has welcomed 10 newcomers for the 2025-26 campaign.

The newest group of Tar Heels includes eight freshmen and two transfers. Read below for more information:

Nate Askew
149 lbs.
Suwanee, Ga. | Baylor School
• Wrestled for three seasons under coach Rex Kendle at the Baylor School.
• Was a member of the 2024 United States U17 World Team.
• A three-time prep All-America and two-time state champion prior to arriving in Chapel Hill.

Matthew Botello
133 lbs.
Hingham, Mass. | Wyoming Seminary
• Wrestled for three seasons at Wyoming Seminary under coach Cornell Robinson.
• A two-time prep national champion prior to arriving at UNC.
• Becomes the fifth sibling to wrestle collegiately.

Mikey Calcagno
197 lbs.
Elmhurst, Ill. | IC Catholic Prep
• Wrestled for four seasons under coach Danny Alccocer at IC Catholic Prep.
• A two-time state champion during high school career.
• Played football as well, helping ICCP to a 2023 state championship.
• Father played college football at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Bryce Hepner
165 lbs.
Avon, Ohio | St. Edward | Ohio State
• A transfer from Ohio State, spending five seasons with the Buckeyes.
• During his time in Columbus, collected 25 victories on the mat.
• In prep career, reached the Ohio state finals in three-straight seasons, including back-to-back titles as a sophomore and junior.
• Was a three-time freestyle state champion and three-time Ironman placer during prep career.

Liam Hickey
133 lbs.
Raleigh, N.C. | Cardinal Gibbons
• Wrestled under coaches Brandon Palmer and Casey Gashaw at Cardinal Gibbons in Raleigh.
• Was a two-time state champion and earned two All-America honors during prep career.
• Father wrestled in college at Hofstra.

Jacob Levy
285 lbs.
Carrollton, Ga. | Lake Highland Prep
• Wrestled at Carrollton High School and Lake Highland Prep prior to arriving in Chapel Hill.
• A two-time state champion and national prep heavyweight champion during prep career.
• A 2023 U16 Fargo Nationals champion, finishing runner-up at the same event in 2022.
• Also played football during prep career, earning All-Region honors three times.

Devon Miller
125 lbs.
Edmond, Okla. | Edmond North
• Wrestled for four seasons under coach Andrew Schneider at Edmond North High School.
• A 2025 Oklahoma Class 6A champion this past season.
• Father wrestled in college at Oklahoma.

Luke Sipes
165 lbs.
Altoona, Pa. | Altoona Area
• Wrestled for four seasons under coach Joel Gilbert at Altoona Area High School.
• Was a four-time Pennsylvania state placer, finishing runner-up this past season.
• A four-time Pennsylvania regional and District 6 champion during prep career.

Kysen Terukina
125 lbs.
Ewa Beach, Hawaii | Kamehameha | Iowa State
• A transfer from Iowa State, wrestled for five seasons with the Cyclones.
• Won 47 matches during his time at Iowa State, earning a berth to the NCAA Championships three times.
• A four-tome Hawaii state champion during prep career, becoming the sixth Hawaii wrestler to win four state championships.
• Rated as the No. 1 recruit out of Hawaii in the class of 2020.

Mitchell Younger
149 lbs.
Columbus, Ohio | Bishop Watterson
• Wrestled for four seasons under coach Tommy Rowlands at Bishop Watterson High School.
• Earned All-State honors during all four seasons of prep career.
• Won three state championships in high school, finishing his career with a 126-8 record.

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