March 23, 2006

GREENSBORO, NC - The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the recipients of its postseason wrestling awards today, as voted on by the league's six head coaches. Virginia Tech's Mike Faust was named the Wrestler of the Year, while Virginia's Eric Albright was tabbed Freshman of the Year. North Carolina head coach C.D. Mock garnered Coach of the Year accolades for the second straight year.

Virginia Tech's Mike Faust was named the Wrestler of the Year, becoming the first Hokie to garner the award. The heavyweight wrapped up his collegiate career with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, earning All-America honors. The senior from Baltimore, Md., posted a 37-8 overall record, including a 15-2 record in dual competition. For the second straight year, Faust went undefeated in regular season ACC competition, posting a 5-0 record in his senior campaign. He also won his second consecutive individual heavyweight title at the 2006 ACC Championship.

Virginia's Eric Albright becomes the first Cavalier to garner Freshman of the Year honors. Albright compiled an overall record of 29-9, including a 12-3 record in dual matches in his freshman campaign. The York, Pa., native posted a 4-1 mark in regular season ACC competition. The top seed at 133 pounds, Albright earned a third-place finish at the ACC Championship.

In just three seasons at the helm of the Tar Heel wrestling program, C.D. Mock has led North Carolina to back-to-back ACC Championships and has been awarded ACC Coach of the Year honors twice. Seven North Carolina wrestlers earned All-ACC honors, having advanced to the finals of their respective weight class, with three capturing individual titles, as the Tar Heels won the 2006 ACC Wrestling Championship. Five Tar Heels participated in the NCAA Championship, as North Carolina posted a 47th-place finish.

-ACC-