April 28, 1999

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Eight high school student-athletes have signed national letters-of-intent to attend the University of North Carolina and join the Tar Heel wrestling team, head coach Bill Lam announced Wednesday. Reflecting the class' depth, the eight wrestlers project to fill eight separate weight classes as Tar Heels.

The class includes: Matt Atkinson (Boone, N.C.), Chris Collins (Rock Hill, S.C.), Dennis Landin (Cary, N.C.), Chad Love (Syracuse, N.Y.), Jake Reynolds (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Nick Richmond (West Alexander, Pa.), Andrew Slack (Greensboro, N.C.) and Kevin Stanley (Wake Forest, N.C.).

"We feel like these young men will contribute to the continued success of Carolina wrestling in the next several years," Lam said. "We've covered the weight classes well. I think this class will help us maintain stability on our team, ensuring that we are two-deep at almost every weight."

Six of the eight won at least one state championship in high school. Landin and Collins each won state Wrestler of the Year awards in 1999. Stanley was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 1999 N.C. High School Championships. Perhaps the most interesting story is that of Love, who is 24 years old and comes to UNC after spending several years in the U.S. military. Love has not attended college and will have four years of athletic eligibility upon his arrival at Carolina.

Five of the recruits hail from North Carolina. The other three are from out-of-state.

"We've reached the point where we rely largely on in-state recruiting," Lam said. "The level of high school wrestling in North Carolina has improved that much over the last several years. We had three ACC champions from the state of North Carolina two seasons ago and two this year."

Name       Projected Weight   Hometown
Matt Atkinson      141 lbs.   Boone, N.C. (Wataugua HS)
two-time state champion

Chris Collins      125 lbs.   Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)
three-time state champion, S.C. Wrestler of the Year in 1999

Dennis Landin      149 lbs.   Cary, N.C. (Cary HS)
two-time state champion, N.C. Wrestler of the Year in 1999

Chad Love     197 lbs./Hwt.   Syracuse, N.Y. (US Army)
European Army champion

Jake Reynolds      165 lbs.   Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill HS)
two-time state champion

Nick Richmond      184 lbs.   West Alexander, Pa. (McGuffy HS)
state champion

Andrew Slack       133 lbs.   Greensboro, N.C. (Ragsdale HS)
two-time state champion

Kevin Stanley      174 lbs.   Wake Forest, N.C. (WF Rolesville HS)
Most Outstanding Wrestler  at 1999 N.C. High School Championships