Jan. 13, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Heavyweight Spencer Nadolsky posted a pair of victories to reach the 100-win plateau for his career, but that was the highlight for North Carolina's wrestling team Saturday as it lost its Atlantic Coast Conference opener to Maryland, 26-12, and then fell to 16th-ranked Illinois, 32-3, at the Comcast Center Pavilion. The Tar Heels are now 3-5 on the season and 0-1 in the ACC.

The nation's No. 9 heavyweight according to InterMat, Nadolsky posted a 5-1 win over Maryland's Jerry Afari in the first dual of the day and followed with a 6-4 decision over John Wise for the Tar Heels' lone points against the Illini. Nadolsky is now 17-4 on the season, 100-35 in his career and 87-26 at Carolina after transferring from Michigan State.

Two-time All-America Evan Sola went 1-1 on the day to record his 110th career victory to move into a tie for fifth on Carolina's all-time win list with three-time NCAA champion T.J. Jaworksy. After a 7-2 decision over Maryland's Jon Kohler, Sola and Illinois freshman Jimmy Kennedy battled through regulation without a score before Kennedy was awarded the win with two minutes of riding time. Sola is now 8-2 on the year.

The Tar Heels got off to their usual quick start against the Terps (11-4) thanks to decisions by Drew Forshey and Sola at 125 and 133, respectively. A 3-2 victory by Ben Fiacco at 157 over Mike McGill gave Carolina a brief 9-7 lead, but Maryland ran off four straight victories, including two by forfeit, to jump out to a 26-9 lead. Nadolsky closed the dual with a 5-1 decision at heavyweight.

Illinois (3-0) won nine straight bouts to jump out to a 32-0 lead before Nadolsky put Carolina on the board with his 6-4 decision. The Illini picked up a pair of major decision and added six points with a forfeit by UNC at 174.

Carolina is back in action at home for the first time since Nov. 18 next weekend against NC State at 7 p.m. Friday and Navy at 1 p.m. Saturday.

MARYLAND 26, NORTH CAROLINA 12
125	Drew Forshey (UNC) dec. James Knox (MD), 9-4 (0-3)
133	#8 Evan Sola (UNC) dec. Jon Kohler (MD), 7-2 (0-6)
141	#13 Alex Krom (MD) major dec. Mike Rappo (UNC), 8-0 (4-6)
149	Andrew Schlaffer (MD) dec. Vincent Ramirez (UNC), 10-3 (7-6)
157	Ben Fiacco (UNC) dec. Mike McGill (MD), 3-2 (7-9)
165	#20 Jason Kiessling (MD) dec. #12 Keegan Mueller (UNC), 2-1 (10-9)
174	Clint Stout (MD) wins by forfeit (16-9)
184	Mike Letts (MD) major dec. Robert McCarthy (UNC), 12-2 (20-9)
197	#16 Hudson Taylor wins by forfeit/injury (26-9)
HWT	#9 Spencer Nadolsky (UNC) dec. Jerry Afari (MD), 5-1 (26-12)
#16 ILLINOIS 32, NORTH CAROLINA 3
125 	#13 Gabe Flores (ILL) dec. Drew Forshey (UNC), 5-3 (3-0)
133	#20 Jimmy Kennedy (ILL) dec. #8 Evan Sola (UNC), 1-0 (RT: 2:00) (6-0)
141	#12 Cassio Pero (ILL) dec. Mike Rappo (UNC), 9-5 (9-0)
149	#13 Troy Tirapelle (ILL) dec. Vincent Ramirez (UNC), 6-3	(12-0)
157	#1 Mike Poeta (ILL) major dec. Ben Fiacco (UNC), 13-3 (16-0)
165	#13 Roger Smith-Bergsrud (ILL) dec. #12 Keegan Mueller (UNC), 7-3 (19-0)
174	Nick Guida (ILL) wins by forfeit (25-0)
184	#15 John Dergo (ILL) major dec. Robert McCarthy (UNC), 9-1 (29-0)
197: 	Patrick Bond (ILL) dec. Dennis Drury (UNC), 9-3 (32-0)
HWT	#9 Spencer Nadolsky (UNC) dec. John Wise (ILL), 6-4 (32-3)