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Former Cornell All-American Chris Foca signs with Tar Heel Wrestling Club

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko05/13/25nickkosko59
USATSI_25722847 (1)
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Former Cornell wrestling All-American Chris Foca signed with what Tar Heel Wrestling Club housed at North Carolina, according to a release. The upperweight signed on as a resident athlete and will pursue a run at the 2028 Olympics.

Foca will represent the Dominican Republic on the wrestling mat. It continues the trend of American athletes repping other countries based on their heritage. Other examples are Sebastian Rivera (Rutgers, Northwestern) for Puerto Rico and Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) for Mexico.

The release can be seen below. Foca certainly looks different with Tar Heel blue!

Foca began his career in 2021, but the Ivy League did not wrestle that season due to COVID-19. He first took the mat in 2022, going 23-8 and qualifying for NCAAs.

Then, while still at 174 pounds, Foca finished 3rd at the 2023 NCAA Tournament and went 29-2 during the season. He followed it up with a jump up to 184 but fell in the Blood Round in 2024.

Foca went out with a bang in 2025, finishing 5th at 184 in Philadelphia. He had a career record of 96-21.

North Carolina adds Chris Foca to TWC

Foca will wrestle on the senior level, but it’s still a boost to the North Carolina wrestling room. Wrestling at 184 pounds last season, he could very well be an additional training partner for AJ Ferrari.

The 2021 NCAA champion returned to the sport this season with Cal State Bakersfield. Following a third place finish at 197, Ferrari transferred to UNC.

Ever the showman, Ferrari was back at the tournament for the first time in four years. After winning it all as a true freshman for Oklahoma State, a car accident and controversy off the mat followed during his sophomore campaign, where he already reached double digit wins.

After leaving the school post 2022, Ferrari did not wrestling collegiately again until this past season. That’s when he wrestled out west in his return, only losing in the NCAA semifinals.

“Same old, same old. Business is business,” Ferrari said ahead of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. “Here to perform, show out. Here for me to have fun, embrace the spotlight. I love performing, wrestling at the highest level. Show them the best. Win the national title at 197 and win two, three more.

“I want to cement my legacy, have fun, give God all the glory. Super grateful for all the support I have all throughout the world. A lot of prayers, big support system is why I’m here.”

Ferrari is 50-2 in his career, with his only losses coming to 2025 NCAA champion Stephen Buchanan, who won it for Iowa this year, and former West Virginia wrestler Noah Adams. Ferrari was just a freshman in 2021 when he lost that match 3-2.