The University of North Carolina wrestling team, currently ranked 13th nationally, will travel to face No. 6 Virginia Tech in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Friday night. The dual is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia, and will be broadcast on ACC Network.
Virginia Tech leads the historical series against North Carolina with a record of 43-32-2. Last season, the Tar Heels secured a narrow 20-17 victory over the Hokies at Carmichael Arena, marking their first win in the series since the 2019-20 season.
North Carolina’s most recent competition resulted in a 25-13 win over Duke. The team recorded four major decisions and one fall during that meet. Cameron Stinson Jr. earned a decision at 125 pounds, while Ethan Oakley (133), Laird Root (157), Jake Dailey (184), and Robert Platt (197) contributed major decisions. Joey Showalter added a second-period fall at 157 pounds. Oakley’s performance at 133 pounds secured his 100th career victory and his second conference win this season.
This year marks the third under head coach Rob Koll, with nine new athletes joining the program during the offseason. Transfers Bryce Hepner from Ohio State and Kysen Terukina from Iowa State have been regular starters and together hold a combined record of 23 wins and four losses so far this season.
Six North Carolina wrestlers are currently ranked in their respective weight classes by InterMat Wrestling: Kysen Terukina (No. 13 at 125), Ethan Oakley (No. 27 at 133), Luke Simcox (No. 10 at 141), Laird Root (No. 25 at 157), Bryce Hepner (No. 12 at 165), and Jake Dailey (No. 13 at 184). As a team, North Carolina is ranked No. 13 in the NWCA Coaches Poll.
The probable matchups for Friday’s dual include several ranked competitors on both sides:
125: No. 13 Kysen Terukina vs. No. 3 Eddie Ventresca
133: No. 27 Ethan Oakley or Matthew Botello vs. No. 6 Aaron Seidel
141: No. 10 Luke Simcox or Nick O’Neill vs. No. 22 Tom Crook
149: Nate Askew vs. Noah Nininger or Drew Gorman
157: No. 25 Laird Root vs. No.16 Ethen Miller
165: No.12 Bryce Hepner vs.No .33 Mac Church
174: Collin Carrigan vs.No .30 Sergio Desiante
184: No .13 Jake Dailey vs.No .32 Jaden Bullock
197: Robert Platt vs.No .14 Sonny Sasso
285: Jacob Levy vs.No .17 Jimmy Mullen
The contest features several top-ranked athletes from both programs as they compete for position within the ACC standings.