Jan. 25, 2008

Virginia Knocks Off North Carolina, 18-13

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia wrestling team opened ACC play with an 18-13 victory over North Carolina Friday night in front of an overflow crowd at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers won each of the first four classes to take a 12-0 lead and never trailed as they improved to 14-3 on the season and 1-0 in the ACC.

UVa won six of the 10 weight classes - all by decision - against the Tar Heels (5-4, 1-2). Ross Gitomer (So., Flemington, N.J.) opened the match with a 4-3 victory over UNC's Drew Forshey at 125 pounds as he improved to 29-8 on the year. No. 20 Eric Albright (Jr., York, Pa.) followed with a 6-1 decision against Danny Lopes.

Nick Nelson (Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored UVa's most exciting win of the night with a 2-1 decision at 141 over Nick Stabile. Trailing 1-0 through most of the last two periods, Nelson notched a takedown with just under 20 seconds remaining to earn his 23rd win of the season.

Shawn Harris (Fr., Cleveland, Ohio) scored an impressive win at 149 pounds with a 7-1 decision over reigning ACC Co-Wrestler of the Week Vincent Ramirez to give UVa a 12-0 advantage. The Tar Heels then cut the lead to 12-7 with Thomas Scotton's 5-3 decision over Drew DiPasquale (Jr., Bloomsburg, Pa.) at 157 and No. 12 Keegan Mueller's major decision over Michael Chaires (Fr., Scotia, N.Y.) at 165.

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