The second day of the 2018 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland saw Troy Heilmann and Chip Ness give UNC two All-Americans for the first time since 1995.
Eight wrestlers in each weight class earn the honor, with Heilmann getting it after reaching the semifinals at 149 pounds and Ness after working his way back through the consolation bracket at 184 pounds.
Both Tar Heels will have a shot to wrestle for a spot on the podium on Saturday.
At 149 pounds, Heilmann, the No. 4 overall seed in the weight class, defeated Ohio State’s Ke-Shawn Hayes 2-1 in the quarterfinals. This set up a match against Penn State superstar Zain Retherford in the semifinals.
Retherford is the nation’s top-ranked 149-pounder and has not lost a match since March 2014, a streak he continued with a 10-4 victory over Heilmann.
Saturday’s consolation semifinals will feature Heilmann taking on No. 3 Grant Leeth of Missouri.
Ness, meanwhile, lost his quarterfinal match at 184 pounds 10-6 to No. 2 Myles Martin of Ohio State. He then defeated Navy’s Michael Coleman in the wrestlebacks to earn a spot in the seventh-place match on Saturday.
For the full updated NCAA Wrestling Championship bracket, click here.
Photo via UNC Athletics
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