LITTLE ROCK - 2019 has been a big year for Little Rock wrestling, but it's not over just yet. Join us at the Jack Stephens Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. for the first-ever Division I wrestling match in the history of the state of Arkansas against Appalachian State. Come back to the Jack on Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. for the Trojans' first dual against a ranked opponent, #17 North Carolina.
Both matches will be streamed for free through Little Rock All-Access, while results will be posted on the team's Twitter account (@LittleRockWRES) and TrackWrestling. For fans looking to attend both duals, contact the Little Rock Ticket Office at 501-565-8257 for a special discounted price.
Appalachian State Preview
"We're very excited about having our first D1 match," said head coach Neil Erisman. "This is great for our state to have and for the wrestling fans to be able to drive less than 2 hours to watch. We have three Arkansas kids in the starting line up, so it gives young in-state kids something to look up to."
Appalachian State comes to Little Rock looking for their first dual win of the season. The Mountaineers are 0-2 after facing ranked teams #6 NC State and #18 North Carolina, however, App State boasts two ranked individuals. Wrestling at 157 pounds is #17 Matt Zovistoski (0-2 dual record) and at heavyweight will be #25 Cary Miller (2-0 dual record), both seniors, but don't count out their starter at 149, Jonathan Millner, and his 2-0 dual record.
"Appalachian State is the only other school that has wrestling out of all the teams in the Sun Belt, so it will be great for our fans to see a school they are familiar with," said Erisman. "Make no mistake about it, App State is tough. Coach Bentley has built a great culture, with a lot of tough guys. Year in and year out they wrestle, compete with and beat top teams in the country. Expect an action packed match this Wednesday."
#17 North Carolina Preview
Friday will be an important match for Little Rock as well, facing #17 North Carolina and the former team that current Trojans leader Erisman coached. "I'm excited to compete against some guys I spent a lot of time with," said Erisman. "The emotions will be high because you never like losing, but you especially don't like losing to your friends. I believe both benches will be fired up and ready to fight."
North Carolina will arrive at the Jack Stephens Center with a 3-1 dual record, defeating #19 Michigan, Chattanooga, and Appalachian State while falling only to Stanford, a team in the PAC-12 that Little Rock will face in February. The Tarheels have depth, with three individuals in the top 25, including top-ranked Austin O'Connor at 149 pounds, who just returned to competition last weekend and has not yet wrestled in a dual. Joining him in the rankings are #16 AC Headlee at 157 (3-1 dual record), and #20 Kennedy Monday at 165 (3-1 dual record).
"Even though North Carolina is ranked, it'll be just like every competition we have had this year," added Erisman. "We have consistently seen high level competition. We built our schedule so our guys would get to wrestle the top competition in the country and be ready for the end of the year. They are a very talented team and will be a big test for our guys. We get the opportunity to make a name for ourselves."
Little Rock Probables
125 - Jayden Carson
133 - Paul Bianchi
141 - Conner Ward
149 - Tyler Brennan OR Tommy Lisher
157 - Jose ChampagneÂ
165 - Will Edgar OR Tristan Tadeo
174 - Cash Jones
184 - Matthew Muller
197 - Dylan Johnson OR Drake Barbee
HWT - Dylan Johnson OR Drake Barbee
Appalachian State Probables
125 -Â Sean Carter
133 - Codi RussellÂ
141 - Bradley Irwin OR Anthony Brito
149 - Jonathan Millner
157 - #17 Matt Zovistoski
165 - Will Formato
174 - Thomas Flitz
184 - Julian Gorring
197 - Paul CarsonÂ
HWT - #25 Cary Miller
#17 North Carolina Probables
125 - Jeremiah Derby OR Joey Melendez
133 - Jaime Hernandez
141 - Zach Sherman
149 - #1 Austin O'Connor
157 - Josh McClure OR #16 A.C. Headlee
165 - #17 Kennedy Monday
174 - Clay Lautt
184 - Joey Mazzara OR Max Shaw
197 - Brandon Whitman
HWT - Andrew Gunning OR Keaton Kluever
For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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