Oct. 27, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina senior heavyweight Justin Dobies is ranked No. 9 in the preseason edition of the InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I Individual Rankings, which were released last week. Classmate Keegan Mueller is rated No. 20 at 165 pounds to join Dobies in the rankings.

The InterMat ranking the highest of the preseason for Dobies, who was ranked 10th by Amateur Wrestling News and 11th by Wresting International Newsmagazine. He was 32-8 last year and won the ACC heavyweight title before going 3-2 at the NCAA Championships.

Mueller, who was 28-6 and also qualified for nationals a year ago, was also ranked No. 17 by Amateur Wresting News.

The Tar Heels open the 2008-09 season at the NC State Open Nov. 8.