BOONE, N.C. — App State Wrestling opened the 2023-24 season with a home dual way back on Nov. 3.
The Mountaineers' second dual arrives this weekend to close a six-week break from head-to-head team competition, but just like the first one, this includes a visit by a ranked, in-state opponent from the ACC.
On Sunday at 3 p.m. in Varsity Gym, App State (0-1) faces No. 21 North Carolina, which held a 5-2 record entering a Friday dual against Morgan State.
A
ticket to the UNC match, one of three premium duals on wrestling's home schedule, costs $20 (it's free for App State students who show a student ID). The Rivers Street Deck across from Varsity Gym is the most popular parking option for wrestling events, with fans entering the corner of the gym adjacent to the loading dock area off Rivers Street.
Free of charge, fans not attending will be able to watch on the
App State Wrestling Facebook page, the
App State Athletics YouTube page or the
Twitch.TV channel for App State Athletics.
Fans attending wrestling events should be aware that Varsity Gym has a clear bag policy for visitors. According to App State's clear bag policies:
- Approved bags include clear plastic bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
- Bags that are not approved include diaper bags, backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, tinted or printed pattern plastic bags, fanny packs, oversized tote bags & mesh bags, and purses exceeding 4.5" x 6.5".
Last year, App State's 19-16 win against a 21st-ranked UNC team in Chapel Hill propelled the Mountaineers into the national rankings early in a season that ended with the SoCon regular-season and tournament champions sitting at No. 20 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll.
It was App State's second victory in the last seven seasons against UNC, but the lineups will look a lot different this season, and the Tar Heels have a new head coach in Rob Koll. Their best result to date has been a 22-16 win against No. 13 Arizona State with four bonus-point victories being the difference in a five-five split of the 10 matches.
App State will have no more than three wrestlers starting and competing at the same weight that they occupied during last year's dual in Chapel Hill: potentially
Tommy Askey at 157,
Carson Floyd at 197 and
Jacob Sartorio at heavyweight.
Last year,
Will Miller capped just his second career dual appearance by winning a 7-5 decision against returning All-American and eighth-ranked Clay Lautt at 174 pounds. Miller has moved down to 165 pounds this season and is coming off a strong showing in Las Vegas, where a 3-1 start included two wins against wrestlers with NCAA Championships experience.
In the Nov. 3 dual against NC State, App State had seven wrestlers make either a first career start or a first start at his current weight.
North Carolina's lineup could have as many as five ranked wrestlers — compared to four for App State — but the only potential for a ranked showdown would be at 149, as the Tar Heels' most accomplished wrestlers and the Mountaineers' highest-ranked wrestlers are mostly at different spots.
UNC has a pair of returning All-Americans on its roster in Lachlan McNeil at 141 and Gavin Kane at 184.
The 2023-24 season is presented by Hungry Howies and Penn Station, and Arby's is the presenting sponsor for Sunday's dual.
