The Tar Heels wrestling team is quietly putting together one of their most impressive starts in the last decade-and it’s not just the wins, it’s who they’re beating and how they’re doing it.
Heading into the holiday break, North Carolina sits at 7-1, and their latest road trip out to the Midwest delivered a statement victory. UNC pulled off a gritty 19-13 upset over No.
12 Northern Iowa, marking their biggest win of the season and their highest-ranked road victory since the 2017-2018 campaign. Six Tar Heels came out on top in their individual bouts, but it was Bryce Hepner who sealed the deal in dramatic fashion.
Hepner, wrestling at 165 pounds, took down eighth-ranked Ryder Downey with a 7-4 decision-an upset that not only clinched the match but underscored the kind of fight this Carolina team is bringing every time they hit the mat.
That win wasn’t a one-off either. Earlier this month, the Heels handled then-No.
17 West Virginia in Chapel Hill, cruising to a dominant 27-7 win behind eight individual victories. That performance helped catapult UNC to its best start since the 2005-2006 season and showed that this team is more than just a flash in the pan-they’re building something real.
Momentum is clearly on Carolina’s side. The latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) coaches poll has UNC ranked No. 13, a ten-spot jump from their preseason ranking of No.
- It’s a well-earned leap, and it reflects both the team’s depth and the individual talent that’s emerging across the board.
Six Tar Heel wrestlers are now ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight classes, a sign that this isn’t just one or two standout athletes carrying the load-it’s a full lineup contributing.
One name that’s been leading the charge is Kysen Terukina. The Iowa State transfer has been a force since stepping onto the mat in Carolina blue.
He’s 6-0 in duals, and he’s earned every bit of it, with key wins over top-tier opponents from Nebraska and Northern Iowa. Terukina, a three-time NCAA qualifier, has been a mainstay in the national rankings all season and was recently named ACC Wrestler of the Week for his performances.
He’s not just undefeated-he’s setting the tone for the rest of the squad.
UNC’s only loss so far came on the road against No. 6 Nebraska, a tough matchup that still offered valuable experience against elite competition.
But that setback hasn’t slowed them down-it’s sharpened them. And with conference play on the horizon, the Heels are heading into the new year with confidence and momentum.
Before the ACC slate begins, Carolina will get one more tune-up at the Soldier Salute tournament in Iowa on January 3-4. Then it’s off to Charlottesville for their ACC opener against Virginia on January 16.
This Tar Heels team is turning heads-and if the first half of the season is any indication, they’re just getting started.