The UNC wrestling program announced its ACC opponents for the upcoming 2021-22 season on Wednesday, as the Tar Heels look to continue their upward trajectory under head coach Coleman Scott.

UNC finished 16th at last season’s NCAA Championships, marking the team’s best finish at the event since 1995. Redshirt junior Austin O’Connor also won the national title at 149 pounds, becoming the the first Tar Heel to do so since T.J. Jaworsky won his third straight title during that same 1995 season.

O’Connor will again lead the Tar Heels this season, but will move up to 157 pounds for his final year of eligibility before pursuing his dream of entering the UFC.

Exact dates for their dual matches have yet to be determined, but the Tar Heels open their ACC slate next season at Carmichael Arena against Duke on either Jan. 21 or 23.

The first road trip of the conference season will come on either Jan. 28 or 30 at Virginia, followed by a home dual against Pittsburgh the next week on either Feb. 4 or Feb. 6.

That showdown against Pittsburgh represents UNC’s final home match of the ACC season, as it concludes the conference schedule with road matches at Virginia Tech (Feb. 11 or 13) and NC State (Feb. 18 or 20).

UNC went 14-3 overall and 3-2 inside the ACC in 2020, with league wins over Pittsburgh, Virginia and Duke.

Photo via UNC Athletics.


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