WIN magazine released its annual preseason college wrestling rankings on Friday, with UNC ranked in a tie at No. 16 as a team and four Tar Heels among the individual rankings.

Redshirt junior Austin O’Connor–a two-time All-American–earned the No. 1 spot at 149 pounds for the second consecutive year.

Last year’s ACC champion at 174 pounds, redshirt junior Clay Lautt, checks in at No. 9 for his weight class.

Zach Sherman, also a redshirt junior, is the No. 11-ranked 141-pounder, while redshirt senior Kennedy Monday sits at No. 13 at 165 pounds.

Behind these leaders, head coach Coleman Scott’s team will look to build off a 2019-20 season that saw the Tar Heels post their best dual meet winning percentage since 1997.

The 2020 NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled as result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the full WIN Magazine preseason rankings, click here.

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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