 Our team is ranked #12 in the dual-meet rankings and #16 in the tournament rankings. These are only rankings, and we certainly expect to continue to move up, but it shows we have addressed many of our roster issues and the program is moving in the right direction.
The biggest change is in our depth. I’ve taken the rankings from Intermatwrestle.com and they choose who they rank. I can say with no hesitation we will almost certainly see different names in our line-up throughout the season. At each weight I expect nothing less than a national-qualifier-level athlete. 125lbs We finally have depth at 125! This is particularly elusive at this weight because unlike every other weight you can’t bump someone up.
133lbs
141lbs
149lbs
157lbs
165lbs Hepner returns to the roster in the second semester
174lbs Deepest weight on the roster
184lbs Gets a major boost from the transfer portal, but plenty of talent ready to step-up
197lbs If these guys don’t beat each other too badly in the room, we are going to develop some hammers!
285lbs Platt may bump up early due to injuries at heavyweight.
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 One of the most powerful things about being part of the UNC wrestling family is that the relationships built through wrestling don’t end when an athlete graduates. I currently have 22 former wrestlers on a text thread and half of these knuckleheads don’t know better than to not text after midnight. I only know this because I have been told to stop! Regardless, I call upon them often and they are always there to help, especially if it involves assisting our current wrestlers. This is truly generational. I’ve been back over three years, and I feel comfortable calling anyone, regardless of their date of graduation. People talk about NIL, but this is the most powerful tool we have in our arsenal. I will continue to emphasize work experience and being prepared for battle even after the battles on the mats are over. This summer, former UNC wrestlers, Todd Purich, Seth Richards, and Billy Christie, stepped up to connect our current wrestlers with internships and full-time employment opportunities. In addition, former coach Enock Francois, and parents of future and former Tar Heel wrestles Tim Ziola, and Matt Hickey helped us place our athletes into meaningful internship opportunities. Those connections opened doors, but our wrestlers made the most of them. Nearly every wrestler secured career-enhancing work experience while continuing to train full-time at UNC. Next summer will be upon us in no time. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have the ability to help any of our athletes! I asked Joey Showalter to expand on his experience and tell us more about his time working with Todd Purich class of 88’ -Rob Joey Showalter Internship Having previously interned with a highly successful private wealth management team, I thought I knew what financial advisory internships were all about: analyzing macroeconomic and market trends, learning about portfolio allocations, and observing senior advisors. My summer with Legacy Private Client Services (LEGACYpcs), working under co-founder and former UNC wrestler Todd Purich, completely changed my perspective, not just on how assets were invested, but on whether the outcome aligned with what mattered most to the family. That broader perspective was reflected not only in how LEGACYpcs approached client planning, but also in how the team itself operated.
 Dunia Sibomana Rodriguez will represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 57kg at the U20 World Championships, entering Bratislava as the U20 & Sr. African Champion with his sights set on a World medal.
Sibomana will face a deep international field featuring several wrestlers with major championship experience. Yamato Ogawa of Japan, the 2023 U17 World Champion at 51kg, and Ulugbek Rashidov of Uzbekistan, the Asian Champion and former U17 World silver medalist, headline the weight. European silver medalist Ebubekir Gur of Turkey, along with European bronze medalists Sasha Petrosyan of Armenia and Muhammad Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, will also be among the wrestlers to watch. Sibomana enters the tournament following a strong season highlighted by his U20 and Sr. African Championship. Competition begins Friday, August 21, with 57kg qualification rounds scheduled from 10:00AM in Bratislava (4:00AM EST). Chris Foca Wins Gold to Lead Tar Heel Wrestling Club at Central American and Caribbean Games7/31/2026  The Tar Heel Wrestling Club was represented by three athletes at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with the team bringing home one gold medal and one silver medal while proudly representing three different nations.
Representing the Dominican Republic at 86 kilograms, Chris Foca captured the gold medal. Wrestling in front of a home crowd, Foca closed out the competition with a convincing 5-0 victory over Kevin De Leon of Mexico in the championship match to stand atop the podium. At 65 kilograms, Shannon Hanna represented The Bahamas and advanced to the gold medal match. Hanna faced Joey Silva of Puerto Rico in the finals, where Silva earned a 3-0 victory. Hanna finished with the silver medal, while helping The Bahamas reach the podium. Unfortunately, Ethan Ramos was unable to compete for Puerto Rico after being forced to withdraw due to illness.  The Tar Heel Wrestling Kid's Club is back on the mat this August, welcoming both new and returning wrestlers for another season of learning, competing, and growing through the sport of wrestling.
Held inside the UNC Wrestling Room on the campus of the University of North Carolina, the THWKC provides world-class instruction in a positive, age-appropriate environment where athletes develop sound fundamentals, confidence, discipline, and a strong work ethic. The program is designed for everyone from first-time wrestlers to experienced youth competitors looking to sharpen their skills. "Our goal is to create an environment where every child can build confidence, develop discipline, and learn the value of hard work while having fun. Whether a wrestler is stepping on the mat for the first time or preparing for a competitive season, we want them to leave every practice better than when they walked in—not just as athletes, but as people. We're excited to welcome everyone back and can't wait to get another great season started." said Brian Tucker, Director of the Kid's Club. The fall program begins Tuesday, August 18, with practices held every Tuesday and Thursday. Practice Schedule: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
4th through 12th Grade
Monthly memberships:
Families who are new to the program are encouraged to come experience the club. First-time participants can attend one week of practices before registering if they decide the program is the right fit. As a USA Wrestling Chartered Club and the official U.S. Olympic Regional Training Center for North Carolina, the Tar Heel Wrestling Club offers young athletes the opportunity to train in the same environment that has helped develop national team members, world medalists, and Olympians. Whether your child is stepping onto the mat for the very first time or preparing for the upcoming competition season, the Tar Heel Kids Wrestling Club provides expert coaching, a supportive team atmosphere, and a clear pathway for long-term development. Registration is now open. For more information or to register, visit: Tar Heel Wrestling Kid's Club.  Photo Credit United World Wrestling Tar Heel Wrestling Club will have two athletes representing their nations on one of wrestling's biggest international stages this week as Shannon Hanna (Bahamas) and Chris Foca (Dominican Republic) compete at the 2026 Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Ranking Series in Budapest, Hungary.
The Budapest Ranking Series is the final United World Wrestling Ranking Series event before the 2026 Senior World Championships, bringing together many of the world's top freestyle wrestlers as they battle for valuable ranking points and international medals. Hanna Draw Hanna opens his tournament against India's Kaliraman. A victory would setup a next round match vs Hungary's Mizsei. His quarterfinals opponent would be Azerbaijan's Babazade. The upper half of the bracket features Zakashvili (Georgia) along with United States standout Bartlett, who are projected to meet in the quarterfinals. Should Hanna navigate his opening rounds, he would likely need to defeat one of those favorites to reach the championship match. Foca's Draw Foca opens against the winner of Germany's Morodion and Azerbaijan's Dzhioev. A likely quarterfinal match with Georgia's Samkharadze awaits. Follow the Action LiveCompetition begins Wednesday, July 15, with all times listed in Eastern Time. 4:30 – 6:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. – Semifinals 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Repechage 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Medal Matches Fans can watch the Budapest Ranking Series love on FLO Wrestling, while brackets, results, and match by match updates are available though UWW Arena.  Ethan Ramos represented Tar Heel Wrestling Club at the Grand Prix of Spain over the weekend, finishing the tournament with a 1-1 record in senior freestyle competition.
Ramos opened the event with a technical fall victory to advance into the next round where he dropped his second match and ending his tournament before reaching the medal rounds. The focus now shifts to Budapest, Hungary, where Tar Heel Wrestling Club will have multiple athletes competing at the UWW Ranking Series event later this week. The tournament is one of the premier stops on the international calendar, featuring many of the world's top wrestlers and serving as an important opportunity to earn ranking points ahead of the World Championships. The official draws for Budapest will be released tomorrow afternoon, giving fans a first look at the opening-round matchups for Tar Heel Wrestling Club's athletes. Once the brackets are announced, we'll have a complete preview of each wrestler's path through the tournament and what to watch for as competition gets underway. Follow Tar Heel Wrestling Club throughout the week for draw announcements, live results, and complete coverage from Budapest as our athletes continue competing on the international stage.  The Tar Heel Wrestling Club will host the Tar Heel Summer Freestyle Duals Tournament this Saturday on the campus of the University of North Carolina.
The event will feature high school divisions and showcase athletes representing nine programs including Believe to Achieve Wrestling Club, Great Neck Wrestling Club, Harrisburg Wrestling Club, Raleigh Area Wrestling, Tioga, Triangle Wrestling Academy, Union Pines, Virginia Team Predator, and Lake Highland Prep. Designed to maximize competition and development, the tournament utilizes a pool and round-robin dual meet format, ensuring athletes receive multiple matches against quality opponents throughout the day. As a USA Wrestling-sanctioned event, competitors will have the opportunity to test themselves under the sport's national governing body while gaining valuable freestyle experience during the offseason. "The Summer Duals provide a tremendous opportunity for wrestlers to gain valuable freestyle experience while competing alongside their teammates," said Brian Tucker. "We're excited to welcome programs from several states to Chapel Hill and continue building one of the premier summer wrestling events in the Southeast." The tournament will use the high school weight system with a three-pound allowance and will feature the following weight classes: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 175, 190, 215, and 285. Wrestling fans, families, and supporters are encouraged to attend and watch.  The Tar Heel Wrestling Club (THWC) will once again be represented on the international wrestling stage as Ethan Ramos travels to Madrid, Spain, to compete in the Grand Prix of Spain on Sunday, July 12th. Ramos will compete in the men's freestyle 86KG weight class.
The event will be held in Madrid, Spain, and will feature men's freestyle, women's freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling over three days of competition. Wrestlers from numerous nations are expected to compete. Fans can follow competition updates and results throughout the tournament on Tar Heel Wrestling Club social media channels. Competition begins July 10 in Madrid, Spain. Tar Heel Wrestling Club Athletes Set to Compete at UWW Ranking Series Event in Budapest, Hungary6/13/2026  The Tar Heel Wrestling Club (THWC) will be represented on the international stage this July as two of its elite athletes travel to Budapest, Hungary, to compete in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Ranking Series event. The competition, scheduled for July 15th, is the fourth and final UWW Ranking Series tournament of the 2026 season and will feature many of the world's top wrestlers competing for valuable international ranking points ahead of the Senior World Championships.
Leading the Tar Heel Wrestling Club delegation is Chris Foca, who will represent the Dominican Republic in the men's freestyle 86KG division. Joining him in Budapest will be Shannon Hanna, representing the Bahamas in the men's freestyle 65KG weight class. The Budapest Ranking Series tournament annually attracts Olympic medalists, World Champions, and top-ranked wrestlers from around the globe. As the final Ranking Series event before the World Championships, the competition plays a critical role in determining international rankings and seeding for the sport's premier events. Fans can follow competition updates, results, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the week on THWC social media channels as Foca and Hanna represent both their nations and the Tar Heel Wrestling Club on the international stage in Budapest. |
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THWC is a USA Wrestling chartered club and an official U.S. Olympic Regional Training Center site that operates in accordance with all NCAA, USA Wrestling, and U.W.W rules and regulations.