May 16, 2002

North Carolina wrestling head coach Bill Lam released on Thursday the 2002 signing class for the UNC wrestling team. This group includes seven student-athletes that won their respective state championships in 2002 and five that competed in North Carolina last year.

"I'm very pleased with this outstanding class that features some of the top wrestlers in the country," said Lam. "It's also one of the best in-state classes we've had in some time.

"The balance of in-state and out-of-state talent fills our needs and should help the program move forward and remain successful."

The class includes three wrestlers -- David Dashiell (projected weight - 197 pounds), Brian Baglio (141 pounds) and Bobby Shaw (125 pounds) - who are among the top-ranked wrestlers in the country.

Joining coach Lam and the Tar Heels from North Carolina are - Jacob Paul (141-149 pounds), Garrett Atkinson (149-157 pounds), Andre Bardin (165 pounds), John Whitehead (165-174 pounds) and Chris Sanders (157-165 pounds).

Gordon Oehmig (174 pounds) rounds out this stellar class for the Tar Heels.

"This group, combined with last year's class, should give us a talented squad and also provide the next head coach with a great group of guys to work with," Lam said.

David Dashiell, from Chesapeake, Va., is a Virginia state champion as well as a 2002 senior national champion in 2002. The Great Bridge High School senior is also ranked No. 1 in the country.

Brian Baglio, from Redland High School in York Haven, Pa., is a 2002 Pennsylvania state champion and is ranked second nationally.

Bobby Shaw, a 2002 Delaware state champion, will join the Tar Heels from St. Marks High School in Newark, Del., and is one of the top-ranked seniors in the country.

Gordon Oehmig is a three-time Texas state finalist and a 2002 state champion. He attended the Kinkaid School and is from Houston.

Garrett Atkinson, from Boone, N.C., is a 2002 state champion as well as the 2002 MVP of the North Carolina State Tournament. Atkinson attended Wataugh High School and is a two-time state finalist.

John Whitehead, from Hoggard High School in Wilmington, N.C., is also a 2002 state titleholder and twice a state finalist.

Jacob Paul attends Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C. where he won a North Carolina state championship in 2002.

Andre Bardin, from Raleigh, N.C., wrestled at Cary High School and took third in the 2002 North Carolina State Tournament.

Chris Sanders also took third at the 2002 North Carolina State Tournament. Sanders is from Winston-Salem, N.C. where he attended Parkland High School.

Name / Hometown / High School / Projected Weight
Garrett Atkinson / Boone, N.C. / Wataugh High School / 149-157 pounds
Brian Baglio / York Haven, Pa. / Redland High School / 141 pounds
Andre Bardin / Raleigh, N.C. / Cary High School / 165 pounds
David Dashiell / Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge High School / 197 pounds
Gordon Oehmig / Houston, Texas / The Kinkaid School / 174 pounds
Jacob Paul / Fayetteville, N.C. / Terry Sanford High School / 141-149 pounds
Chris Sanders / Winston-Salem, N.C. / Parkland High School / 157-165 pounds
Bobby Shaw / Newark, Del. / St. Marks High School / 125 pounds
John Whitehead / Wilmington, N.C. / Hoggard High School / 165-174 pounds