Tag: UNC Wrestling

Here are ALL the former North Carolina Tar Heels participating in the Summer Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics are finally here. How many former UNC athletes are competing?

It’s late July. You’re waiting for the start of college football season – rightfully so – and playing EA Sports College Football 25 increases your excitement for the real thing.

This summer, while you’re waiting, why not check out the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?

I’m not talking about traveling to France, unless you’re planning a vacation, but instead watching every sport you could imagine on television. We’re talking badminton, fencing, soccer, wrestling, basketball, plus several more.

The Olympics, if you ask me, are a great way to pass the time as summer moves on. It also gives you a great chance to watch some of your favorite athletes, particularly those who aren’t in major sports leagues.

Speaking of favorite athletes, the North Carolina Tar Heels will be well-represented in this year’s Summer Olympics. 13 former UNC athletes will participate in eight different sports – Katie Bowen (New Zealand, women’s soccer), Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox (USA, women’s soccer); Rinky Hijikata (Australia, men’s tennis), Patrick Hussey (Canada, men’s swimming), Martin Kartavi, Adam Maraana (Israel, men’s swimming), Ashley Hoffman, Meredith Sholder and Cassie Sumfest (USA, women’s field hockey), Ethan Ramos (Puerto Rico, freestyle wrestling), Kristen Siermachesky (Canada, women’s rowing) and Aranza Vasquez (women’s diving).

https://www.instagram.com/p/C95Nx7muey6/?img_index=2

If you want to know exactly when you can watch Tar Heel representatives on TV, click here for the schedule.

Wouldn’t it be something if, when the Olympics are complete, several athletes who donned Carolina Blue are medal winners?

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How to watch No. 27 North Carolina wrestling at the 2023 Soldier Salute

Want to watch #TarHeels wrestling compete against the best in the country? The two-day 2023 Soldier Salute tournament will be streamed live on B1G+.

Get ready for collegiate wrestling action on Friday, Dec. 29, and Saturday, Dec. 30, featuring No. 27 North Carolina at the 2023 Soldier Salute.

The second annual Soldier Salute, set to take place at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, will include competitors from 10 ranked teams in the Intermat’s top 30 including No. 2 Iowa, No. 3 Missouri, No. 4 Nebraska, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 12 Minnesota, No. 13 South Dakota State, No. 15 Navy, No. 16 Oregon State, No. 25 Northern Iowa and No. 27 North Carolina.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch UNC wrestling in the 2023 Soldier Salute” link=”https://bit.ly/SoldierSession3″]

With all three losses this season coming against ranked teams, the Tar Heels have an opportunity to pick up multiple big wins throughout the tournament.

The Soldier Salute is hosted by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission and 100% of the annual tournament proceeds will be split between the United Service Organizations (USO) and a development fund targeted towards the continued growth of high school girls wrestling.

If you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place. Individual mat cameras will be available for all four sessions of the Soldier Salute. All action will be airing on B1G+.

Soldier Salute Schedule

Date Session Time (E.T) How to watch
Fri, Dec. 29 Session 1 11 a.m. Watch Session 1
Fri, Dec. 29 Session 2 4:30 p.m. Watch Session 2
Sat, Dec. 30 Session 3 12 p.m. Watch Session 3
Sat, Dec. 30 Session 4 6 p.m. Watch Session 4

[afflinkbutton text=”Stream North Carolina wrestling in the 2023 Soldier Salute on B1G+” link=”https://bit.ly/SoldierSession3″]

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Austin O’Connor named ACC wrestler of the year

Austin O’Connor was named ACC wrestler of the year weeks after winning his second National championship.

North Carolina wrestler [autotag]Austin O’Connor[/autotag] is adding another honor to his already extensive career after being named Atlantic Coast Conference wrestler of the year.

The announcement came Thursday through an ACC press release. O’Connor shares this honor with Pittsburgh’s Nino Bonaccorsi as co-winners for the ACC, voted by the league coaches. O’Connor showed complete dominance this year as a graduate student, finishing with a 23-0 record at 157 lbs, including his second national championship during his tenure at UNC.

O’Connor Tar Heel’s legacy was already stamped before this season started. Still, after snagging his second NCAA title, his legacy became that more unique, becoming the second in UNC wrestling history to win multiple championships.

O’Connor has been special during his time at UNC, with a record of 131 wins and 13 losses. He has been especially dominant in the ACC, only losing once in the 18-19 season.

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