Jan. 12, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Off to its best start since the 1993-94 season at 8-1, the University of North Carolina wrestling team is seeded fifth at the 26th annual Virginia Duals, which open Friday in Hampton, Va. The Tar Heels will square off against UC Davis (2-3) in the opening round of the tournament at 9 a.m. Friday.

Carolina will face either No. 4-seed Chattanooga (5-5-1) or Columbia (1-2) at 1 p.m. Friday in either a quarterfinal match or the consolation bracket. The Tar Heels defeated the Mocs, 24-15, at the Mat Jam Duals earlier this season. Action resumes at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Tar Heels are led by junior heavyweight Spencer Nadolsky, who is ranked No. 13 nationally and owns a team-best 24-2 record. Junior 165-pounder Garrett Atkinson is ranked No. 20 in the country with a 10-4 record. Junior Deon Barrett (10-7) could also see action at 165.

Redshirt freshman Vincent Ramirez is also off to a hot start at 141 pounds at 23-6, as is junior David Dashiell, who owns a 22-8 mark at 197.

Junior Bobby Shaw (14-9) is slated to start at 125 pounds for the Tar Heels, with redshirt freshman Jared Royer (14-5) set to go at 133 with All-America Evan Sola out with a shoulder injury.

Rounding out the projected lineup for the Tar Heels are sophomores Chris Ramos (149 - 9-8), Alex Maciag (174 - 14-9) and Justin Dobies (184 - 17-7) and junior Brian Baglio (157 - 11-9).