A dominant all-around performance Sunday afternoon in Boone led the 15th-ranked UNC wrestling team to a commanding 28-7 victory on the road over the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The Tar Heels won eight of the 10 matches on the day, beginning with a 14-3 major decision victory from redshirt freshman Austin O’Connor–the nation’s No. 9 ranked wrestler at 149 pounds.

Following O’Connor’s victory, UNC reeled off four more wins in a row. This included major decisions by Josh McClure (165 pounds) and No. 8 Chip Ness (184 pounds).

Redshirt freshman Joe Heilmann also earned the first victory of his young career at 125 pounds by a major decision–making him the fourth Tar Heel to earn four points for the team.

The win improved head coach Coleman Scott’s team to 3-0 to start the 2018-19 campaign, the team’s best start since the 2005-06 season.

“This was a team win. It’s one you love to see,” Scott said afterwards. “Everyone who took the mat today came to win and it showed. You have to give credit to Joe Heilmann for picking up bonus points for us, and starting the day with Austin O’Connor’s big win was huge. I’m proud of this team. They’re showing everyone who we think we can be this year.”

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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