Oct. 21, 2003

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Led by three wrestlers ranked among the nation's top 17 in their respective weight classes, the University of North Carolina wrestling team claimed the No. 21 spot in the InterMat Preseason NCAA Division I Wrestling Rankings released Tuesday.

Included in the individual rankings for Carolina are junior Chris Rodrigues, who is ranked 15th at 125 pounds, classmate Mark Canty, who is rated No. 16 at 174 pounds, and sophomore Dusty Heist, who is No. 17 at 184 pounds. Each of these Tar Heels captured individual Atlantic Coast Conference titles a year ago and wrestled at the 2003 NCAA Championships, as did sophomore David Dashiell (197 pounds). Evan Sola brought home All-America honors at 133 pounds last season, but will likely redshirt this year. Rodrigues earned All-America status in 2002.

The Tar Heels, who won their 15th ACC title a year ago, are the only conference team to crack the nation's top 25. Oklahoma State holds the top spot, while 2003-04 Carolina opponent Nebraska is ranked No. 8. The Tar Heels travel to Lincoln, Neb., to face the Huskers Feb. 14.

After a pair of exhibitions at Carmichael Auditorium, the Tar Heels and first-year head coach C.D. Mock open the regular season at the Missouri Open Nov. 23. Mock is a UNC alum and won a NCAA title in 1982.