2023 NCAA DI The Season: North Carolina

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.”  

As the ACC continues to associate itself as a wrestling conference, the 2022-2023 season looks good for North Carolina. Between eligibility expiration and transfers, they only lose two of their talents from last season & both weights have already been filled. Joe Heilmann has since transferred to Rutgers as the Tar Heels graduate Kizhan Clarke who had an excellent final season of eligbility making the NCAA finals. 

125 lbs
Jack Wagner

 
In a new singlet at a new school at a new weight class, former UNI Panther Jack Wagner is going to move down from the 133 lbs weight class into 125. 7th at the Mat Men Open last year, he's already proven what he can do 8 lbs up with wins over Ramazan Attasauov of Iowa State & Chris Debien of Chattanooga. 

133 lbs
Jamie Hernandez    OR         Joey Melendez

I'd say most likely the varsity spot is going to belong to 2020 NCAA qualifier Jamie Hernandez for the simple fact that Joey Melendez hasn't competed since the 2019-2020 season.  Speaking strictly from a talent standpoint, on paper this would be a competitive wrestle-off, but I'm not even sure if it'll happen. Either way, both of these guys are NCAA qualification material. 

141 lbs
Lachlan McNeil 

Hasn't even wrestled a varsity season of collegiate wrestling yet & already a Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist for Canada. Of all the redshirt freshmen coming into the season, Lachlan McNeil is one of my favorites. He scored a 3-1 victory over Ryan Jack of North Carolina State last year during his redshirt. 

149 lbs
Zach Sherman 

A four time NCAA qualifier & 7th in the nation in 2021, the move up from 141 lbs to 149 last season was an adjustment for Zach Sherman. It took some time to get used to the new weight class. It does sometimes & I think although he didn't have the season he wanted to, he's had all spring, summer & fall to make the proper adjustments so that he WILL have the season he wants this year.  Twice third in the Midlands & a two time ACC finalist, he did wrestle Ohio State's Sammy Sasso to a 4-3 match. I'd look for him to win a second ACC title & earn a second All American honor. 

157 lbs
Austin O'Connor 

Life is all a matter of perspective. Some would say after a 3rd place finish in 2019 & winning an National title in 2021, that finishing 8th this past season was a disappointment. I say that as packed & loaded as 157 lbs was last season, that to come back far from 100%, unhealthy & injured to an 8th place finish, is a testimony to intestinal fortitude.  Often overlooked & dismissed, health is a factor in one's performance. If O'Connor is back to 100%, he will once again contend for an NCAA title. At 93-10, he'll also reach the 100+ win mark this season. 

174 lbs
Clay Lautt

Three time NCAA qualifier Clay Lautt goes into his final season as a Tar Heel having earned NCAA 8th place All American honors this past season. He'll look to earn a second All American honor this season. 

184 lbs
Gavin Kane

Sophomore Gavin Kane was a go getter last year. In his 16 victories five were by major decision, one by fall & three more by a good 5-7 points. This guy likes to go out & score. What impressed me most is not only did he beat Virginia Tech's Hunter Bolen once, he beat him twice. 3-1 sudden victory & then again at the ACC championships 4-3 tiebreaker.  An ACC runner-up, it'll be interesting to see if he still has Bolen's # this year & what other surprises he may have in store. 

197 lbs
Max Shaw

Out of the 33 qualifiers at 197 lbs last season, I would say that Max Shaw almost had to be #34. When I say I believe he missed qualification by one spot, I truly believe that. An NCAA qualifier in 2021, I feel very confident that he makes it back to the dance this year. 

HWT
Brandon Whitman 

An NCAA qualifier in 2019, Brandon Whitman surprised me last season by not making a second trip to the NCAA tournament. He defeated Pittsburgh's Jacob Slinger 3-2 & 4-3, but unfortunately wasn't selected as a wildcard after finishing 4th at the ACC's. I believe he'll not only qualify for the NCAA's this year, I believe that he'll contend for an ACC title. He's already proven he can beat Tyrie Houghton of North Carolina State with a 6-3 decision & the last time he & Hunter Catka of Virginia Tech met, he lost a tight 4-3 decision.