April 10, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia's Matt Roth (Wescosville, Pa./Parkland), who won his first conference title and finished in 7th place at the NCAA Wrestling Championships was named the ACC Wrestler of the Year in a vote of the league's head coaches. Roth becomes the first Cavalier so honored by the ACC.

In 1999, Roth won the 125-lb ACC title with a 3-2 upset of top-seeded Chuckie Connor of UNC. Ironically, Roth also defeated Connor 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket to earn All-American status. In the NCAA Championships, Roth notched his 11th pin of th e season, which set a new record for pins in a season and added to his career-leading total at Virginia with 28. He finished the season with a 33-7 record.

This season, Roth set the career record at Virginia in pins and dual matches competed (60), and tied the record for dual match victories (42). His 102 career victories moved him into a tie for second all-time at UVA and he competed in 149 career matches, good enough for third all-time at Virginia.