Carolina Wrestlers Ready For ACC Tournament :: UNC Coach Bill Lam talks to TarHeelBlue.com as the Tar Heels prepare for Mat Jam this Saturday in Raleigh.

March 4, 2002

The UNC wrestling team will compete in the 2002 ACC Tournament March 9 in Raleigh. Coach Bill Lam's squad finished the regular season with a 14-5 record and in a first-place tie with NC State. Coach Lam took time from preparing for the tournament to speak with TarHeelBlue.com about the Tar Heel's season to date and expectations for the post-season.

TarHeelBlue: "How do you feel about the team heading into the ACC Tournament?"
UNC head coach Bill Lam: "We've had some injuries, and they are going to be a factor. But we tied for first place in the regular season and I think we legitimately have a shot at the ACC title. It's going to be a good tournament, but it will be difficult."

THB: "Some of the young guys have had great seasons so far. How do you feel about the way they've stepped up?"
Lam "Evan Sola (133 pounds) has been a tremendous surprise. He's won his last 14 matches and beaten a nationally-ranked opponent (Appalachian State's Travis Drake, 3-2 on Feb. 23), and I think he's the odds-on-favorite to win his weight class at ACCs and he has an outside shot at being an All-America."

"Chris Rodrigues (125 pounds) has done a good job as well."

"Dusty Heist (184 pounds) and Mark Canty (174 pounds) have had up and down years. Mark has really had a good year considering all his injuries, but if you look at his record it's up and down. But hopefully he'll be feeling good for the tournament and be competitive."

THB: "How about the way the seniors have performed this year?"
Lam: "I think Brad Byers (141 pounds) has had one of his best years and done an outstanding job in terms of leadership. And with this many young guys we needed some leadership."
"I think Matt Kenny (heavyweight) has also had one of the best wrestling years he's had. I feel fortunate to have him back after he broke his hand earlier in the season. I don't know if he's 100 percent right now, but if he can win ACCs and qualify for Nationals, then he should be at full speed by that time."

THB: "How important are the contributions from guys that may not wrestle each week but still participate when possible?"
Lam: "We've had several people add to our team, and it takes a total team effort. People like JohnPaul Igoe and the guys we've had through the rotation at 174 pounds, 184 pounds and 197 pounds. Guys like Austin Wall (197 pounds) and Dusty Heist. The rotation with them has helped us out. Ryan Adams did a great job at heavyweight while Matt Kenny was hurt. Andrew Slack (149 pounds) did a good job too. Hopefully their experiences will allow them to step in next year."

THB: "What do you think are the biggest changes the freshmen have experienced after starting college competition after leaving successful high school careers?"
Lam: "I think they were surprised how much longer the season is and the conditioning involved. But I think they also figured out that it's still just wrestling. I think that maturity is a factor, and they've gained a lot through the year. Hopefully, it will help them in the tournament and next year."

THB: "Does your coaching philosophy change when you have such a young team?"
Lam: "No, my basic philosophy stays the same. But as to how you handle some of the youth, you have to adjust to that. You have to adapt and improvise when you have young kids. You know one day they can do good and the next day they might not do so good. And it's not because they're not working hard, it's just because they have some growing to do. So you can't let it bother you like you might if it's a senior masking silly mistakes and getting beat by people he shouldn't lose to."

THB: "Now that the regular season is over and you can look back on it, are you pretty happy with the way it turned out?"
Lam: "I was happy with the regular season. We went through one period where we lost a couple of matches because we had injuries and people down. We lost four matches in a week-and-a-half period but they all seemed to snap back together when we wrestled Drexel. And we did a good job in our last matches against Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb. So, overall, I'm really pleased. If someone would have told me that we would be 14-5 at the first of the year, I would have said 'I'll take that right now.' We could have been even better than that, so I'm pleased with the season and to tie for first (in the ACC). I would have rather won it outright, but I'm pleased that we're there."

"With our injuries, it'll be tough for us in the ACC Tournament, but I think we'll do well. A big thing is to get the people qualified for Nationals that we should get qualified. I want to get these young guys to Nationals if at all possible to give them experience so we're a better team next year."