The AU wrestling team upset the University of North Carolina Saturday, slamming the Tar Heels 25-19 at Bender Arena.
Junior Kyle Borshoff, ranked 13th in the nation at 149-pound weight class, defeated UNC's Thomas Scotton in a dramatic dual. Wrestling in a heavier weight class, Borshoff pulled off a last minute take down, grabbing a 5-2 win and the AU team's victory.
It was a hard-earned win for the Eagles, who were forced to wrestle under weight in the home opener at Bender Arena. Due to a UNC forfeit in the 149-pound weight class, AU wrestler Nick Pitas won by forfeit. As a result, four American wrestlers were moved up one weight class.
Junior Mike Cannon, ranked fourth in the nation at 174-pound weight class, moved up a weight class and earned a 15-4 major decision over Daniel Llamos. 174 pound redshirt senior Christopher Stout, 125-pound freshman Thomas Williams and 141-pound sophomore Matt Mariacher also earned crucial team points for the Eagles with their wins.
Fresh off his 174-pound title at the Midland Championships in Evanston, Ill., Cannon remains unbeaten this season.
Cannon won five matches over the two-day event, and joins Josh Glenn as the only AU wrestler to win at the Midlands Championships, an elite collegiate wrestling tournament. Cannon's victory was an important stepping-stone towards his ultimate goal of winning a NCAA national championship.
Cannon was not the only one to perform well at the Midlands, with Borshoff finishing in fourth place and Williams just missing eighth place.
Cannon and the rest of the Eagles will return to action this Friday at the U.S. Naval Academy.
You can reach this staff writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
