Cornell won the final nine matches to rout #13 North Carolina 29-5, with Vitali Arujau earning bonus points at 125 with a 17-4 major decision over Joe Heilman. Cornell defeated four UNC ranked wrestlers along the way. #YellCornell (📸: Gracie Smith/Virginia Tech) pic.twitter.com/LfFNbDNWCx
— Cornell Big Red (@CornellSports) February 17, 2019
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Cornell completed a successful run through ACC country, winning each of the final nine matches, including four against ranked Tar Heel wrestlers, as the Big Red dropped No. 13 North Carolina on Saturday evening at Carmichael Arena. The Big Red improved to 13-2 in dual meet competition, while UNC slipped to 11-7.
Adam Santoro got the Big Red going after fourth-ranked Austin O'Connor started the dual with a tech fall win at 149 pounds to stake the home team to a 5-0 lead. Santoro edged No. 20 Josh McClure in a mild upset at 157, the first of consecutive 3-2 victories for Cornell. Andrew Berreyesa had the lone takedown in a win over Sawyer Davidson at 165, and 14th-ranked Brandon Womack continued the momentum with a 4-1 win over Devin Kane, riding out Kane in the third to pick up the victory.
In the feature match of the night, Max Dean won a hard-fought 5-2 victory over No. 14 Chip Ness at 184 pounds. Ben Honis majored Brandon Whitman at 197 and Jeramy Sweany earned a big 6-4 victory at heavyweight over No. 20 Cory Daniel in a heavyweight matchup. The Big Red rolled in its final three matches, with Vitali Arujau nearly earning a tech fall over Joe Heilman, 17-4 at 125, and top-ranked Yianni Diakomihalis claiming a 9-2 triumph over A.C. Headlee to close the dual. Chas Tucker earned a second key weekend win over a ranked opponent, dropping No. 20 Gary Wayne Harding at 133.