Jan. 18, 2003

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina wrestling team swept UNC Greensboro, 36-9, and Anderson College, 42-0, in dual matches this afternoon in front of 207 Tar Heel fans in Carmichael Auditorium. Carolina improves to 5-2 on the season, while UNCG and Anderson fall to 1-5 and 2-3, respectively.

Sophomore Mark Canty (Gahanna, Ohio) set the tone for the afternoon with a pinfall in the opening match at 174 pounds over UNCG's Charles Jones, 1:46 into the match. Sophomore Dustin Heist (Meadville, Pa.) improved his winning streak to six with a decision and teammates Ryan Adams (Rock Hill, S.C.), Chris Rodrigues (Marietta, Ga.), Evan Sola (Wernersville, Pa.) and John Paul Igoe (Long Island, N.Y.) followed suit with victories in their respective matches to jump UNC into the lead, 36-0.

Greensboro tallied two victories at 157 and 165 pounds. Thomas Thekkekandam (Greensboro, N.C) was pinned (2:33) by Ryan Tripp (Goodrich, Mich.) and Garret Atkinson (Boone, N.C.) lost a decision (9-2) to Keith Ritter (Charlotte, N.C.) as the Spartans earned nine points.

In the second match of the day versus Anderson, the Tar Heels won all 10 matches, including pins by Rodrigues (3:14) over Clyde Pollock (Irmo, S.C.), Sola (2:06) over Mike Sanders (Beaufort, S.C.) and senior Jimmy O'Connor (Woodbine, Md.) in 2:16 over Brent Poynter (Greer, S.C.).

Also picking up victories for Carolina were Venroy July (Bronx, N.Y.), Matt Atkinson (Boone, N.C.), Aaron Holt (Hillsborough, N.C.), Christopher DiGuiseppe (Holland, Pa.), Josh Lee (Dunn, N.C.) and David Dashiell (Chesapeake, Va.).

"I feel like we got our objective accomplished this afternoon," said head coach Bill Lam. "We put other wrestlers in there to see what they can do against other opponents.

"This will help us down the road in case one of our starters goes down with an injury. I would've like to see some more pins, but when teams get down they wrestle not to get pinned. Overall, I was pleased with the two victories."

The Tar Heels will return to Atlantic Coast Conference action Friday, Jan. 24, against Virginia. The dual match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

North Carolina 36 vs. UNC Greensboro 9
125 pounds - UNC Chris Rodrigues (18-8, 4-2) DEC 9-0 UNCG Tony Stewart (6-9, 1-3)
133 pounds - UNC Evan Sola (19-7, 4-2) MD 16-2 UNCG David Johnson (8-7, 5-1)
141 pounds - UNC John Paul Igoe (6-5, 1-1) MD 9-1 UN CG Wes Gibson (1-7, 1-3)
149 pounds - UNC Chris DiGuiseppe wins by forfeit
157 pounds - UNCG Ryan Tripp (6-3, 5-1) FALL 2:33 UNC Tom Thekkekandam (1-5, 0-1)
165 pounds - UNCG Keith Ritter (6-9, 2-4) DEC 9-2 UNC Garrett Atkinson (8-14, 0-6)
*174 pounds - UNC Mark Canty (15-8, 5-1) FALL 1:46 UNCG Charles Jones (1-5, 0-3)
184 pounds - UNC Dusty Heist (10-3, 6-0) DEC 8-4 UNCG STeve McClamrock (4-7, 4-3)
197 pounds - UNC David Dashiell wins by forfeit
Hwt. - UNC Ryan Adams (14-5, 5-1) TB 2-1 UNCG John Kimble (6-6, 4-2)

North Carolina 42 vs. Anderson College 0
125 pounds - UNC Chris Rodrigues (19-8, 5-2) FALL 3:14 AC Clyde Pollock (4-9)
133 pounds - UNC Evan Sola (20-7, 5-2) FALL 2:06 AC Mike Sanders (0-6)
141 pounds - UNC John Paul Igoe (7-5, 2-1) DEC 9-2 AC Steve Volponi (7-2)
149 pounds - UNC Aaron Holt (2-2, 1-0) DEC 9-5 AC Josh Merry (2-7)
157 pounds - UNC Chris DiGuiseppe (9-9, 2-4) DEC 4-2 AC Chris Bailey (2-3)
165 pounds - UNC Jimmy O'Connor (15-8, 2-3) FALL 2:16 AC Brent Poynter (8-9)
*174 pounds - UNC Josh Lee (4-4, 1-0) DEC 5-4 AC Careef Robertson (15-6)
184 pounds - UNC Matt Atkinson (6-6, 1-0) TF 17-1 AC Brian Kaufman (3-8)
197 pounds - UNC David Dashiell (15-9, 3-2) MD 11-1 AC Matt Dollar (10-8)
Hwt. - UNC Venroy July (7-8, 1-1) DEC 8-3 AC Terrell Scott (10-8)

* - Match started at 174 pounds