Nov. 29, 2003

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Junior Mark Canty took fourth place at 184 pounds to lead the 21st-ranked University of North Carolina wrestling team Saturday at the Mat-Town USA Invitational at Lock Haven University's Thomas Fieldhouse. In the team standings, the Tar Heels placed 11th with 29 points.

Second-seeded Canty opened the tournament with wins over Pittsburgh's Eric Cassidy (9-4) and Cornell's Randy Stout (5-3) before falling to No. 3-seed Eric Bradley of Penn State, 4-2, in the semifinals. Canty bounced back with a victory over Ohio's Travis Smith (6-5) before forfeiting the consolation final to Stout and earning the fourth-place finish. Canty improves his record this season to 5-4.

In other action, sophomore Brian Baglio, who was seeded sixth, went 2-2 at 149 pounds. Baglio topped Joe Galante of Rider (3-0) and Ben Young of Slippery Rock (5-2) in his first two matches of the day. Baglio, now 3-4 on the season, then fell to No. 3 seed Mike Maney of Lock Haven, 4-1, and Ohio's Mike Allen (3-1) in the consolation round. Additionally, junior Venroy July was 2-2 on the day at 197 pounds. He picked up a win over Clarion's Garrett Hurd (8-7) and a medical forfeit to teammate David Dashiell, who was 1-2 at 197 pounds.

Also going 1-2 for the Tar Heels Saturday were Bobby Shaw (133 pounds), Jacob Paul (141), Andrew Slack (149), Garrett Atkinson (165), Joshua Lee (174) and Neil Ridge (Heavyweight).

Next up for Carolina is the 2003 Rubbermaid Open, set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at Carmichael Auditorium.