UNC redshirt junior Austin O’Connor was named the No. 1 wrestler in the country at 149 pounds by TrackWrestling on Monday, in the organization’s annual preseason rankings.

O’Connor has been the top-ranked wrestler in each of the last two preseasons and was ranked No. 2 last season before the NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled.

UNC enters the 2021 season ranked No. 14 as a team, as seven other Tar Heels joined O’Connor among the preseason rankings at their respective weight classes.

Zach Sherman checks in at No. 8 at 141 pounds, while Devin Kane earned the No. 9 spot at 174 pounds.

Redshirt freshman Gabriel Tagg is No. 21 at 133 pounds, joining classmate Max Shaw–No. 22 at 197 pounds–in earning a ranking before ever wrestling a collegiate match.

At 165 pounds, redshirt senior Kennedy Monday was selected No. 14 in the weight class. Fellow redshirt senior Josh McClure sits at No. 22 in the 157-pound division.

Heavyweight Andrew Gunning at No. 21 in the sport’s biggest weight class represents the final Tar Heel among the preseason rankings.

UNC is scheduled to begin the season on Jan. 1 against Campbell.

 

 

 

 

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