Feb. 9, 2002

The UNC wrestling team dropped a close 18-16 decision to Navy Saturday afternoon in Carmichael Auditorium. With the loss, Carolina moves to 11-3, 3-0 in the ACC, while Navy improves to 8-6.

Navy jumped out to an early 9-0 lead by taking the first three matches of the day. The Midshipmen's Michael Bigrigg decisioned Austin Wall 10-4 at 197 pounds, Steve Kovach took a 1-1 sudden victory decision over UNC's Ryan Adams in two overtimes, and Carolina's Chris Rodrigues fell 3-2 to Navy's Sam Gray at 125 pounds.

Evan Sola (133 pounds) got the Tar Heels on the board with a 10-0 major decision over Mike Simon. Navy's Mark Conley followed with an 8-3 win over Brad Byers.

Mike Booth (149 pounds) defeated Nate Gulosh 6-5, but Navy's Adam Bones countered with a pinfall on UNC's James O'Connor in 1:41.

The Tar Heels mounted a late charge, taking the last three matches of the afternoon. Chris DiGuiseppe decisioned Luke Lazzo 5-2 at 165 pounds and Mark Canty won 7-4 over Navy's Mike Barikian at 174 pounds to pull the Tar Heels to within 13-18.

UNC's Nick Richmond (184 pounds) and Travis Manion went to overtime tied at 1-1. A Richmond takedown gave him a 3-1 decision and the Tar Heels three points, but the Midshipmen escaped with an 18-16 win.

The Tar Heels travel to Raleigh Wednesday night to face arch-rival NC State at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.

Navy 18 UNC 16

197 - Michael Bigrigg (Navy) dec. Austin Wall (UNC), 10-4
Hwt. - Steve Kovach (Navy) dec. Ryan Adams (UNC), 1-1 SV 2OT
125 - Sam Gray (Navy) dec. Chris Rodrigues (UNC), 3-2
133 - Evan Sola (UNC major dec. Mike Simon (Navy), 10-0
141 - Mark Conley (Navy) dec. Brad Byers (UNC), 8-3
149 - Mike Booth (UNC) dec. Nate Gulosh (Navy), 6-5
157 - Adam Bones (Navy) pinned James O'Connor (UNC), 1:41
165 - Chris DiGuiseppe (UNC) dec. Luke Lazzo (Navy), 5-2
174 - Mark Canty (UNC) dec. Mike Barikian (Navy), 7-4
184 - Nick Richmond (UNC) dec. Travis Manion (Navy), 3-1 OT