Dec. 31, 1999

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - University of North Carolina wrestler Skyler Holman closed out an excellent two days at the prestigious Midlands Millenium Wrestling Tournament with a win over Lehigh's Jason Gabrielson in the 125-pound fifth-place bout late Thursday evening in Evanston, Ill. Holman won the match by medical forfeit.

Carolina also had strong showings from Corey Bell (174 lbs.) and Nick Richmond (184 lbs.) and scored 28 team points to finish in a 20th-place tie with Hofstra. Iowa took top honors out of more than 50 teams with 151 total points. Illinois placed second with 98 points and the Hawkeye Wrestling Club scored 88.5.

After falling to the consolation bracket on Wednesday following a loss to third-seeded Tim Dernlan (Ohio International Wrestling Club), Holman notched five straight victories and finished the event 7-1. This season, Holman has taken first-place honors at the East Stroudsburg and Carolina Opens, placed fourth at the Penn State Open and fifth at the Midlands.

This year's Midlands Tournament boasted 19 of the nation's top 25 wrestling teams and five defending Midlands champions.

The Carolina wrestling team is next in action Jan. 7-8 at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. NC State comes to Chapel Hill on Jan. 11 for Carolina's first home dual meet of the season.