Feb. 23, 2002

The UNC wrestling team finished out its regular season Saturday with dual-meet victories over Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb. The Tar Heels defeated ASU, 34-6, and Gardner-Webb, 27-19. The wins improve coach Bill Lam's Tar Heels to 14-5 for the season, while ASU drops to 5-8 and Gardner-Webb falls to 3-9.

Against the Mountaineers, seniors Matt Kenny (Hwt.) and Brad Byers (141 pounds) led the way in their final home matches. Kenny won by a 16-1 technical fall over Caleb Smith in 5:58, and Byers took a major decision over Harold Skidmore, 16-6.

In the most anticipated bout of the day, Carolina freshman Evan Sola upset national No. 16 Travis Drake, 3-2. With the win, Sola improves to 24-8 this season.

Winning by decision for the Tar Heels were Mike Booth (149 pounds), Chris DiGuiseppe (157 pounds), Mark Canty (174 pounds), Nick Richmond (184 pounds) and Venroy July (197 pounds). Chris Rodrigues won by forfeit at 125 pounds.

Against Gardner-Webb, Canty gained his second win of the day with a 10-2 major decision over Kevin Fields at 174 pounds, and JohnPaul Igoe (133 pounds) won by an 18-3 technical fall over Eli West in 5:33.

Also victorious for Carolina against the Bulldogs were Dusty Heist (184 pounds), Austin Wall (197 pounds), Chris Rodrigues (125 pounds) and Andrew Slack (157 pounds).

With the regular season complete, the Tar Heels now prepare for the ACC Championships to be held March 9 in Raleigh, N.C.

125 - Chris Rodrigues (UNC) wins by forfeit
133 - Evan Sola (UNC dec. Travis Drake (ASU), 3-2
141 - Brad Byers (UNC) major dec. Harold Skidmore (ASU), 16-6
149 - Mike Booth (UNC) dec. Eric Burns (ASU), 8-3
157 - Chris DiGuiseppe (UNC) dec. P.J. Boccia (ASU), 9-3
165 - Mark Fee (ASU) win by forfeit
174 - Mark Canty (UNC) dec. Lee Roper (ASU), 5-3
184 - Nick Richmond (UNC) dec. Sean McIntosh (ASU), 4-3
197 - Venroy July (UNC) dec. Jared Linderman (ASU), 10-4
Hwt. - Matt Kenny (UNC) tech. fall Caleb Smith (ASU), 16-1, 5:58

UNC 27
Gardner-Webb 19

125 - Chris Rodrigues (UNC) wins by forfeit
133 - JohnPaul Igoe (UNC) tech. fall Eli West (GW), 18-3, 5:33
141 - Dan Elliott (GW) pinned Mike Starkey (UNC), 4:55
149 - Brian Dixon (GW) dec. Nick Royer (UNC), 8-2
157 - Andrew Slack (UNC) wins by forfeit
165 - Matt Klinger (GW) pinned Thomas Thekkekandam (UNC), 6:20
174 - Mark Canty (UNC) major dec. Kevin Fields (GW), 10-2
184 - Dusty Heist (UNC) dec. Michael Mays (GW), 9-3
197 - Austin Wall (UNC) dec. Darryl Scott (GW), 3-2
Hwt. - Jonathan Richard (GW) major dec. Billy Crafford (UNC), 13-2

Appalachian State 36
Gardner-Webb 12

125 - Richard Caisse (ASU) wins by forfeit
133 - Travis Drake (ASU) pinned Eli West (GW), 2:42
141 - Dan Elliott (GW) dec. Harold Skidmore (ASU), 4-0
149 - Brian Dixon (GW) dec. Eric Burns (ASU), 9-6
157 - P.J. Boccia (ASU) wins by forfeit
165 - Mark Fee (ASU) pinned Matt Klinger (GW), 1:15
174 - Lee Roper (ASU) pinned Robbie Pritz (GW), 2:44
184 - Sean McIntosh (ASU) pinned Michael Mays (GW), 2:47
197 - Darryl Scott (GW)) dec. Jared Linderman (ASU), 8-6 OT
Hwt. - Jonathan Richard (GW) dec. Caleb Smith (ASU), 3-1