Jan. 10, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite four individual victories for the Carolina wrestling team, a forfeit at 149 pounds helped the American University Eagles capture a 25-19 victory over the Tar Heels in a dual meet Saturday. Carolina fell to 4-6 in dual meets with the loss.

No. 17-ranked Keegan Mueller opened the evening with a technical fall over American's Patrick Graham. Mueller outscored Graham 17-0 to improve to 8-3 in dual meets. The Dallas native is now 22-6 overall.

Following Tar Heel defeats at 174 and 184 pounds, No. 16-ranked Dennis Drury recorded a fall over Andrew Silber at 197 pounds and Justin Dobies scored a 10-5 decision over Quinton Pruett in the heavyweight bout. Drury scored his 19th victory of the season and is 6-1 in dual meets. Dobies improved 6-4 in dual meets and is now 16-7 overall.

Mike Rappo's 20-5 (7:00) technical fall over Jason Borshoff at 133 pounds gave the Tar Heels a 19-12 lead with three bouts remaining. Rappo recorded his 14th win of the season and improved to 4-1 in dual meets.

Carolina relinquished its lead in the next matches however with a 16-7 major decision by the Eagles' Matt Mariacher at 141 pounds. American clinched the victory with a win by forfeit at 149 pounds and a decision at 157 pounds.

Carolina returns to action Sunday at 1 p.m. against Maryland in College Park, Md.

American 25, North Carolina 19
Wt.   Result                                           Score/Time
165 - No. 17 Keegan Mueller (NC) tech. fall Patrick Graham (AU), 17-0
174 - Christopher Stout (AU) dec. Kevin Owen, 9-5
184 - No. 4 Mike Cannon (AU) maj. dec. Daniel Llamas, 15-4
197 - No. 16 Dennis Drury (NC) fall Andrew Silber (AU), 4:23
HWT - Justin Dobies (NC) dec. Quinton Pruett (AU), 10-5
125 - Thomas Williams (AU) tech. fall Nick Shields (NC), 16-0 4:24
133 - Mike Rappo (NC) tech. fall Jasen Borshoff (AU), 20-5 7:00
141 - Matt Mariacher (AU) maj. dec. Vincent Ramirez (NC), 16-7
149 - Nick Pitas (AU), win by forfeit
157 - No. 13 Kyle Borshoff (AU) dec. Thomas Scotton (NC), 5-2