Oct. 13, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Coming off its best showing at nationals since 1997 and its 16th Atlantic Coast Conference title, the University of North Carolina wrestling team earned the No. 24 preseason ranking from W.I.N. Magazine in its annual preseason poll, which was released Monday.

Individually, senior All-America Evan Sola was ranked No. 4 at 133 pounds in both the W.I.N. Magazine and NWCA/InterMat preseason rankings. Junior Drew Forshey is ranked 10th and 16th at 125 pounds, respectively, while junior David Dashiell is ranked No. 13 at 197 pounds by NWCA/InterMat.

Carolina is the only ACC squad ranked in W.I.N.'s team rankings, while Sola is the league's highest-rated individual.

The Tar Heels, who open the 2005-06 season Nov. 12 at the Mat Jam Duals in Boone, N.C., return all 10 starters from last year's ACC championship squad.