'Believe in ourselves': UNC wrestling aims for success amid uncertainty

Before the remainder of winter and spring competition was canceled by the NCAA due to the spread of COVID-19, the North Carolina wrestling team had built unprecedented momentum.

Three wrestlers won individual ACC Championships, four more qualified for the NCAA Championships and the team finished No. 7 in the NWCA Coaches’ Poll. However, the novel coronavirus meant the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Championships and a premature end to one of UNC's best seasons in recent memory.

Despite the untimely ending to the 2019-20 season, the team said this break has given them an opportunity to relax and center their minds on one goal: continuing success the next time they hit the mats.

“We’ve been working out a lot, but not too much wrestling stuff, kind of been staying away,” redshirt junior Zach Sherman said. “Just because the season was such a grind, this is a time to heal and work on strength, eating healthy and trying to get bigger. The season just finished, and we get a little relaxing time so I’m ready to go when it’s time to grind again for next season."

This past season was Sherman’s best at Carolina. Wrestling at 141 pounds, he posted a 27-5 record, en route to winning the 2020 ACC Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Now back home in Florida, Sherman said the team doesn’t know what to expect regarding cancellations or delays to the season, but they'll be prepared when their names are called.

“This program is only going one way, and that’s straight up…” Sherman said. “Now we’re the team with the target on our backs, and that’s going to be in title contention. We truly believe that.”

Wrestling at 285 pounds, redshirt senior Andrew Gunning had a solid campaign, qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career. Then, the tournament was canceled, leaving Gunning only one more season in Chapel Hill. 

“I’d like to give it my all for my last season, and that’s just been a thought in my head lately, especially as time goes on,” Gunning said. “There’s less and less time to prepare, and it’s just hard not knowing what is actually happening. As far as wrestling and the season with how much contact we have, I’m assuming there’s going to be some strict rules in place, but I think the season will go on.”

Gunning also said — despite his worries —  the team is going to remain mentally prepared. The team knows how hard they worked to do what they did last season, and they still have that same work ethic, he said.

He also emphasized the importance of the team placing its trust in head coach Coleman Scott and his staff.

“Coleman definitely preaches to us, and he feeds us the right stuff,” Gunning said. “He knows we need to believe in ourselves, and we all believe in Coleman because he’s done it himself. He brought a bronze medal back to the states. He’s a national champ himself, and we have an amazing staff around us.”

While social distancing, Scott has attempted to keep morale high by posting on Instagram about the things he is thankful for. He started it as a way of creating a positive atmosphere despite a difficult situation. 

“I have the opportunity to do what I love still," Scott said. “Do we have our frustrations? Absolutely. But let’s put some perspective on where we’re at in life, and hopefully I can just sort of change somebody.”

As it stands, the start date for any wrestling activity is still up in the air. Still, Scott said as soon as that day comes, UNC will be ready to go.

“We’re just gonna put our foot on the gas pedal when we come back,” Scott said. “We’re gonna hit the ground running and do what we know how to do, and that’s work out, building and getting better.”

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