After an historic 2020-21 season that saw Austin O’Connor become the school’s first national champion since 1995, UNC wrestling is ranked No. 16 in the InterMat preseason poll released Thursday.

O’Connor will compete in a different weight class for Carolina in the 2021-22 season in his final year with the program, moving from 149 pounds to 157 pounds. He and the Tar Heels will open the season with three matches on November 1 as part of the UNC Duals. For a full look at the schedule, click here.

UNC is one of four ACC schools in the top 25. NC State, a perennial power in the conference, checks in at No. 6, followed by No. 10 Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels at No. 16, and Pittsburgh at No. 20.

Coleman Scott, head coach of the program since 2015, has boosted the Tar Heels to some of their best seasons in team history, including finishing 19th at nationals in 2019. Before the pandemic forced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2020 season, the Tar Heels’ 14-3 record was their best since 1997. They finished that year ranked No. 7.

Carolina is still in pursuit of its first team NCAA championship in program history.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

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