Jan. 12, 2000

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina wrestling team captured the last four matches but fell short in a 21-18 loss to North Carolina State at Carmichael Auditorium Tuesday night. The meet was the conference opener for both teams. The win lifted N.C. State to 4-1 overall, 1-0 in the ACC. The Tar Heels drop to 1-3, 0-1 in the conference.

As the result of a random draw, the 141-pound match was the first of the night with N.C. State's Oraefo Brown taking a 9-3 decision over Andrew Slack. The Wolfpack held a 6-0 lead until UNC's Dennis Landin took a 13-5 major decision at 157 lbs., narrowing the score to 6-4. At 165 lbs., N.C. State's Scott Garren pinned Steve Echeverri in 38 seconds to increase the margin to eight. In the closest match of the night, Wolfpack wrestler Joel Dramis edged Corey Bell 4-3 in the 174-pound match.

UNC forfeited the 184-pound match, but fought back by taking the last four matches of the night. UNC's Clint Osborn took a 9-5 decision over Jason Gore at 197-pounds and Tar Heel sophomore Matt Kenny won a 12-4 major decision over Mike Mordaski in the heavyweight match. Tar Heel freshman Skyler Holman took a 13-2 major decision over George Clintron at 125-pounds, and Brad Byers earned the last Tar Heel points of the evening, defeating Lee Carroll 8-3 at 133-pounds.

The match was a testament of the two team's rivalry. The last 22 ACC Championships have been won by either UNC or N.C. State. The Tar Heel wrestlers will look for its first ACC victory in 1999-2000 when it visits the University of Virginia Jan. 14.

NC State 21, North Carolina 18

125 – Skyler Holman (UNC) major dec. George Cintron (NCSU), 13-2

133 – Brad Byers (UNC) dec. Damon Blackley (NCSU), 8-3

141 – Oraefo Brown (NCSU) dec. Andrew Slack (UNC), 9-3

149 – Tommy Davis (NCSU) dec. Aaron Gilson (UNC), 4-1

157 – Dennis Landin (UNC) major dec. Justin Parlier (NCSU), 13-5

165 – Scott Garren (NCSU) pins Steve Echeverri (UNC), at :38

174 – Joel Dramis (NCSU) dec. Corey Bell (UNC), 4-3

184 – Zach Breitenbach (NCSU) wins by forfeit

197 – Clint Osborn (UNC) dec. Jason Gore (NCSU), 9-5

Hwt. – Matt Kenny (UNC) major dec. Mike Mordarski (NCSU), 12-4