July 21, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina's eight-man wrestling recruiting class has been ranked No. 17 nationally in this year's InterMat Division I recruiting class rankings. Additionally, the Tar Heels were recognized as one of only five programs for making a "notable move" in their recruiting efforts.

InterMat's Jason Bryant had the following to say about Carolina's impressive incoming freshmen class: "In case you missed it, the Tar Heels did a nice job in picking up some talented wrestlers during the recruiting cycle. Senior national champion Ziad Haddad of Pennsylvania will anchor the heavyweight spot, while Ian McLaughlin of Kiski Prep (also in Pa.), Ky Corley of Oklahoma, and Jacob Vonderbruegge of Missouri add some not-so-well-known names, but they're big on ability. ... Nick Shields was Louisiana's best wrestler and also placed at The Beast."

Daniel Helena of Decatur, Ga., Bobby Shanor of Eden, N.C., and Tyler St. Louis of Kansas City, Mo., round out the Tar Heels' eight-man class.

Carolina returns nine starters from last year's squad, including NCAA qualifiers Justin Dobies and Keegan Mueller.