Nov. 9, 2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The 2007-08 University of North Carolina wrestling team has found a source of motivation in the shortcomings of last season, which included a disappointing third-place finish at the Atlantic Coast Conference championships that resulted in just two qualifiers for nationals and a 49th-place finish.

"Last year's ACC Tournament was without a doubt the most difficult experience that I have had has a coach - because we had probably our best team," says fifth-year head coach C.D. Mock, who is a two-time ACC Coach of the Year. "We won ACCs the two prior years with teams that I don't think were as good as the team we took to ACCs this past year. The way in which we lost was very, very difficult."

But rather than dwell on the struggles of last season, the Tar Heels have used them as the catalyst for a revamped off-season training program that has the team anxious to hit the mat this year.

"We began the process of two-a-days Oct. 1. They lift at 7:30 in morning and then have regular practice at three. That's three days a week and then two days a week we meet at 9:15 at night and they run," says Mock, who won a national title in 1982 as a Tar Heel. "It's tough. It's a lot to ask these student-athletes. Their schedules are packed. They've classes and study time, and when you go two-a-days you're taking up pretty much all of their time. It needs to be done though. They have been working very, very hard and I'm very excited about the young guys that we have brought in and their work ethic."

Driving this new-found commitment is a core group of leaders that includes veterans Keegan Mueller, Vincent Ramirez, Justin Dobies and Drew Forshey.

"I believe that we have a totally committed group," adds Mock. "I think that a lot of the upperclassmen that experienced last season learned a great deal. It's a double-edge sword because it's painful to go through, but without that I don't think we'd be the team that we are now. And we're not an overly talented team, so that hard work and that commitment factor are imperative."

Mock and the Tar Heels have some unfinished business from last season and carry lofty goals into this season, including the hopes of an 18th ACC title since 1979.

"We certainly plan to win ACCs," says Mock. "What we're obviously looking to do is to have All-Americas and when you have All-Americas it pumps you right up the ladder in terms of placing at NCAAs.

"Realistically, we want to win ACCs and bring home a couple of All-Americas. If that happens this year, I'd be very happy and it is very feasible. Drew Forshey absolutely should be an All-America. Vincent Ramirez could be an All-America. He's beaten several All-Americas in the past. Keegan Mueller has the ability to be an All-America."

125 POUNDS
Senior Drew Forshey enters the season as the Tar Heels' most experienced wrestler with a 70-34 career record, including a 21-8 mark a year ago. The Hickory, N.C., native captured the 2005 ACC title at 125 and should be the favorite to regain that crown this season. Forshey is ranked among the nation's top 20 in his weight class by both InterMat and The Wrestling Mall. "Drew has the ability to be an All-America," says head coach C.D. Mock. "He's beaten All-Americas and has that kind of talent." With Forshey out for disciplinary reasons in the early part of the season, freshman Jay Adamson (Dalton, Ga.), Jason DeLuca (Dillsburg, Pa.) and Mike Robinson (Lewistown, Pa.) will vie for the starting spot at 125.

133 POUNDS
Junior Jared Royer and sophomore Jeremy Shaw are expected to battle it out at 133 pounds with Royer holding the upper hand, according to Mock. Royer won the ACC title in 2006 at 133 and sports a 22-21 career record. "We're expecting a lot from Jared," says Mock. "This could be his breakout season." Shaw went 7-5 in limited action a year ago.

141 POUNDS
Sophomore Mike Rappo returns at 141 pounds after posting a 14-14 record as the Tar Heels' starter for much of last season. However, the Holland, Pa., product is coming off a knee injury and may redshirt, according to Mock. Redshirt freshman Nick Stabile "is looking very, very tough" in practice and could start, as could sophomore Danny Lopes, a transfer from Lock Haven. He was 23-12 as rookie a year ago and could see time at either 141 or 133. Stabile posted a 5-4 mark unattached last season.

149 POUNDS
Juniors Vincent Ramirez and Chris Ramos make 149 pounds one of the Tar Heels' deepest weight classes and, according to Mock, "those two are just going to make each other tough as nails." Ramirez, who sports a 53-19 career record, is expected to be the starter after moving up from 141 early last season. The Durham, N.C., native was the ACC runner-up for the second time in his career, but is poised to chase his first league title this season. Ramirez finished last year with a 16-10 overall record. Ramos returns after redshirting a year ago and owns a 37-33 record. He started for the Tar Heels at 149 in both 2005 and 2006.

157 POUNDS
Carolina has four wrestlers gunning for the starting spot at 157 in redshirt freshman Thomas Scotton, sophomore Ben Fiacco, freshman Thomas Ferguson and sophomore Keenan Duffie. Scotton redshirted a year ago but is "tremendously talented," as evidenced by his 11-2 unattached record. Fiacco went 16-13 as the Tar Heels' starter a year ago and, according to Mock, he "has improved dramatically since last year and we're expecting him to do well." A Cary product, Ferguson captured a pair of North Carolina state titles, and is "looking very tough in practice," while Duffie went 2-9 as a rookie last season at 149 and 157.

165 POUNDS
In addition to Forshey, junior Keegan Mueller is the only other Tar Heel to earn a preseason ranking. The Dallas native is ranked 17th nationally by InterMat after logging a team-best 30-7 record at 165 a year ago. He was ranked as high as No. 12 a year ago and recorded a 13-2 mark in dual action. Mueller suffered a disappointing third-place finish at ACCs a year ago and was left out of the NCAA Championships. "That (result) really set him on fire," says Mock. "He's a very unselfish young man. He's a great leader and he's getting better every day.

174 POUNDS
Two-year starter at 174 pounds Alex Maciag returns but will sit out this season. One of his jobs while prepping for the 2008-09 campaign will be to mentor freshman Kyle Kiss, who ranks as one of the Tar Heels top newcomers. The Loch Arbor, N.J., product was a New Jersey runner-up as a senior and ranked among the top 20 nationally. Additionally, James Madison transfer Mike Meagher, who was 7-10 for the Dukes in 2005-06, could compete for the starting spot at 174.

184 POUNDS
According to Mock, 184 pounds ranks as the "most open" weight class for Carolina this season. Sophomore Robert McCarthy, who was 10-14 last season, is expected to start but will be pushed by junior Daniel Llamas, who registered a 5-10 mark as a part-time starter a year ago. Adding depth to the class is sophomore Dan Goetter, who has dropped from heavyweight after posting an 11-6 record last season, as well as newcomers Kevin Owen and Nick Tenpenny, who is state place-winner out of Bayville, N.J. Owen, a transfer from Polson, Mont., could drop to 174.

197 POUNDS
Sophomore Dennis Drury returns as the Tar Heels' starter at 197 pounds after a solid season a year ago. He logged a 15-11 record, including a 7-5 mark in dual action. The Jenkintown, Pa., product placed third at the ACC Championships. Freshman George Kocher of Ramesy, N.J., and sophomore Nick Simon, who played one season of football at Mercyhurst College, add depth at 197.

HEAVYWEIGHT
Junior Justin Dobies makes the jump to heavyweight this season after wrestling at 184 and 197 pounds over the last two seasons. Carolina's starter at 184 in 2005 and 2006, he owns a 46-37 record and redshirted a year ago. "It's a huge change, but I think he can handle it," says Mock, who is expecting big things from the Garfield Heights, Ohio, native. "I think it will be a good move for him."