Best Start in Nearly 20 Years Tar Heels Sweep Carolina Duals to Move to 5–0

North Carolina wrestling walked out of Carmichael Arena on Friday with three shutouts, a 5–0 record, and something even more important, a team that’s starting to believe in itself. North Carolina rolled past UNC Pembroke, Greensboro College, and Davidson, marking the program’s best start since the 2005–06 campaign. They won all 30 matches on the day and surrendered just one takedown, but for head coach Rob Koll, the scoreboard wasn’t the story. It was the growth. The confidence. The feeling that this group is beginning to take real steps.

Using the Day to Grow Not Just Dominate

Koll said the Carolina Duals were less about proving anything and more about letting his guys experience the emotions that only match day brings. “We were able to train through this week. We went really hard yesterday when normally we’d be backing off,” Koll said. “No matter how hard you practice, you don’t get the psychological nerves unless you’re actually wrestling. Even if it’s an inferior opponent, you get up for that match like it’s a national championship.” He pointed to experiences like Jacob Levy wrestling again on Sunday at Appalachian State as crucial development pieces.

“He’s really getting a simulation for the NCAA Tournament,” Koll said. “That’s what we’re trying to get these guys to feel.”

Little Things Turning into Big Things

What seemed to excite Koll most were the “little wins” the technical details that signal steady growth. “We saw a lot of things we’ve been working on start to show up,” Koll said. “We hit a lot of cradles something we haven’t historically done and we’re doing it now. We were riding better, no one got ridden out, and I think we gave up just one takedown the entire day in 30 matches. Obviously, I’m proud of that.”

He also pointed to a moment of progress from Robert Platt

“In his last match, Rob Platt actually learned to sprawl something you should learn when you’re five,” Koll joked. “He didn’t do it against Navy, and here he did a really nice job of it.”

Those breakthroughs are what coaches look for on days like this.

Healthy, Confident, and Moving in the Right Direction

The Tar Heels walked out of the building with both momentum and health a combination Koll was pleased with. “Overall, there’s not a lot to take away negatively,” he said. “I feel really good. And more importantly, not a single guy came out with any injuries.”

For a young roster trying to build belief and rhythm, Friday didn’t just offer three shutout wins it offered proof of progress.

UNC now turns its attention to its biggest early-season test yet. No. 20 West Virginia comes to Carmichael Arena on Friday, December 12 at 7 PM.