May 10, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Fresh off an Atlantic Coast Conference title and its best NCAA finish since 1997, the University of North Carolina wrestling program has added five prep standouts for the 2005-06 season, head coach C.D. Mock announced Tuesday. Headlining the list are Pennsylvania natives Dennis Drury and Dan Goetter, who both rank in the top 10 nationally in their respective weight classes.

The Tar Heels also added Michigan native Robert McCarthy and in-state products Phillip Ramirez and David Pelsang.

Goetter, who attended Pennridge High School, was rated fifth among 215-pounders in his class according to InterMat's High School Senior Rankings. The Perkasie, Pa., native won his school's first-ever Pennsylvania state title last season, when he went 40-1. An expected heavyweight with the Tar Heels, Goetter posted a 131-31 career record in the prep ranks. Drury, who is from Jenkintown, Pa., and attended Germantown Academy, is ranked seventh nationally at 189 pounds in InterMat. Projected to wrestle at 197 in college, Drury was a national prep finalist in 2005 and a national prep champion in 2004.

McCarthy, who finished third at the 2005 Michigan state championships, is from Hartland, Mich., and attended Hartland High School. He is expected to wrestle at 174 pounds. Ramirez, who recently returned from a military tour in Iraq, is a Durham native and attended Riverside High School. Pelsang is from Jacksonville, N.C., and went to White Oak High School. Pelsang is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds, with Ramirez slated for 157.

"We brought in an excellent group of freshmen last year that made up a strong nucleus for last year's team and were instrumental in our success," said Mock, who was named 2005 ACC Coach of the Year. "Our one problem has been lack of depth. With everyone from last year's team back, our goal this year was to add some depth to our upper weights. We feel with the addition of these freshmen we have accomplished that objective. We are very pleased to be adding these student-athletes to our program."

Carolina went 6-9 overall against a very challenging dual meet schedule, captured the 2005 ACC Championship and placed 24th at the 2005 NCAA Championships. The Tar Heels return their entire starting lineup, including two-time All-America Evan Sola at 133 pounds.

NORTH CAROLINA WRESTLING SIGNEES
Name	Wgt. Class	Hometown	High School/Previous School
Dennis Drury	197	Jenkintown, Pa.	Germantown Academy
Dan Goetter	Hwt.	Perkasie, Pa.	Pennridge High School
Robert McCarthy	174	Hartland, Mich.	Hartland High School
David Pelsang	165	Jacksonville, N.C.	White Oak High School
Phillip Ramirez	157	Durham, N.C.	Riverside High School