2025-26 UNC Wrestling Preview: Built to Compete

The North Carolina wrestling team looks to continue its recent success under third-year head coach Rob Koll, after clinching a share of the regular-season ACC title last season. 

In 2024, the Tar Heels finished with a 9-6 duals record, including a dominant 40-3 win over Duke, and a victory over Stanford that clinched the program’s 19th regular-season conference title. Eight UNC wrestlers also advanced to the NCAA championships, with Lachlan McNeil finishing fifth in the nation for his weight class and helping UNC continue its streak of seven straight national tournaments where a Tar Heel wrestler has earned All-America status. 

However, North Carolina had 10 departures from the roster last season, with the most prominent name being McNeil, who transferred to Michigan for his final year of eligibility. To replace wrestlers on the roster, UNC added eight freshmen and two transfers. 

“We’ve had a great deal of turnover, but for me, I think this year is going to be really interesting,” Koll said in an interview with Inside Carolina (watch the full conversation in the video player below). “The kids we’re bringing in are really tough, really young. A lot of excitement — first-time they’ve ever started for the program — but a lot of uncertainty at the same time.” 

From the portal, the Tar Heels added 165-pound Bryce Hepner from Ohio State. The graduate student won his weight class at the Michigan State Open last season and competed in one dual meet for the Buckeyes. UNC also brought in Iowa State transfer Kysen Terukina. The graduate student won 47 matches over five seasons for the Cyclones and earned three bids in the NCAA tournament. 

The pair of transfers joins five other Tar Heels who began their careers at other programs, but are in their second year at UNC. 

“We have some transfers that are stepping in, and we have used the portal as well,” Koll said. “It’s not like we haven’t used the portal, (but) now the rules have changed… Now you can’t go out and just make these kids offers like it was in the old days, because they have to get approved.”

Of the returners, North Carolina graduates Joshua Ogunsanya and Ethan Oakley look to lead the Tar Heels this season. Ogunsanya, who wrestles at 174 pounds, has a career record of 59-25. Ethan Oakley wrestles at 133 pounds and was 6-1 last season — 3-1 in UNC duals — and has the most wins on UNC’s roster this season with an overall record of 89-42. 

However, Koll expressed interest in using incoming freshmen and underclassmen who are ready to wrestle as a means to fill the departed group from last season. 

“When you have freshmen on the team, they don’t always win, but you’ll see a youthful exuberance at those weight classes,” Koll said. “But there are other returning kids who don’t want those freshmen starting, so maybe they will have something to say about it.” 

UNC’s Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, before the first event of the season on Nov. 2 at the Southeast Open in Salem, Virginia. The Tar Heels will then host Northern Colorado on Nov. 9 for their first home opener. 

After the new year, North Carolina will begin ACC duals at Virginia on Jan. 16 and at N.C State on Jan. 23 before hosting Pitt on Jan. 30.