Certain things can always be counted on in the world of wrestling: There will be pain, there will be sweat, and there will be even more of both whenever Virginia faces North Carolina.
Tonight, the Cavaliers face the storied Tar Heels in Chapel Hill with aspirations of proving themselves in the realm of the ACC elite. Yet they could not begin their conference season with a more threatening opponent. In the 29 years that Virginia and North Carolina have faced off, Virginia has won only two of the 30 total dual meets, with the Tar Heels taking the last 28.
"At the top of the ACC it is pretty much Virginia, North Carolina and NC State," sophomore Will Durkee said. "We have NC State in February, so right now this is our big match."
The Cavaliers are coming off a significant victory over a field of in-state foes, taking a clear first place at the Virginia Intercollegiate match, and will look to carry that momentum into today's dual meet.
With Durkee, sophomore Zach Freday, freshman Brian Sticca and senior Josh Etu all taking first place in their respective weight classes at the Intercollegiate win
and Etu being named ACC Wrestler of the Week
the Cavaliers certainly have a good deal of momentum.
Freday has been on an upswing lately, turning in several key performances and, while North Carolina's senior Jimmy O'Connor defeated Durkee earlier this season during the Sharpie-Carolina Open, Durkee has continued to improve. Sticca has been coming into his own as a Cavalier asset, while Etu already has established himself as a cornerstone of the Virginia program.
The Cavaliers' showing will be rounded out as junior Joe Alexander returns to action at 133 pounds and with junior Tim Foley continuing to wrestle well at 157 pounds.
Alexander will face North Carolina's sophomore Evan Sola, the Tar Heels first wrestler to reach 20 wins this season. Although Alexander defeated Sola in last year's ACC Championships, Sola overthrew Alexander earlier this fall.
Foley's potency will also prove to be key. He won the Sharpie-Carolina Open earlier this season at 157 pounds, and although he took second in the Intercollegiate Match, is favored against the Tar Heels sophomore Garrett Atkinson.
Each program has apparent weaknesses, so the match will come down to an ability to capitalize on the other team's shortcomings.
"In the end it comes down to whichever guy manages to capitalize last that will come out at the winner," Sticca said. When a strong Virginia team faces a powerhouse like North Carolina, this will likely be the case.
While history certainly rests in the Tar Heel's corner, the Cavaliers have a passion and power that comes from a squad more complete than most they have fielded in recent years. When the two come head to head, it will certainly be a noteworthy conference opener.
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