Wrestling: Grappling for recognition

In 2008 the North Carolina wrestling team sent two representatives to nationals. Both of them then-juniors Justin Dobies and Keegan Mueller failed to reach All-America status.

This season the two seniors are looking to make it back to nationals" and both are well on their way.

With each garnering a win against Ohio on Saturday — a 26-12 team win in which seven Tar Heels notched victories — Dobies and Mueller continued to add to the strong reputations they've been building since arriving in Chapel Hill.

Both of the out-of-state prospects reached the 100 career win mark this season — Dobies against Duke's Robert Holbrook on Jan. 21 and Mueller just three days later against Navy's Jason Coyne.

While Mueller admitted to being ""selfish"" and wanting all the wins he can get"" the third-year Tar Heel — Mueller spent his freshman season at Ohio State — knows there is a much bigger picture. One without wrestling.

""I'm kind of a bummer when it comes to this because in all honesty" it's really cool for my own accomplishments" Mueller said. But we've had All-Americans. We've had national champions. I hope that someone can remember me as someone who cared about people.""

And while such talk might seem like lip service" anyone who has spent more than a few seconds of time with Mueller knows its genuine.

While giving an interview and signing autographs for children who attended Friday's 33-12 team win against N.C. State Mueller stopped answering questions during each signature to enthusiastically thank the recipient for coming even after getting pinned less than an hour earlier.

After weighing in at his normal weight class of 165" his coach asked him to wrestle at 174. Mueller fell to N.C. State's Jake Burge late in the third round.

""We're trying to get ready for nationals" Mock said. Keegan has trouble with short really stocky strong guys" and he's going to hit them at nationals. The idea was to show him you can beat a guy like that. He was doing a great job. He just got caught.""

He was pinned"" but that wasn't the point. The two seniors are using the regular season to prepare themselves for their last shot at nationals.

And neither Dobies nor Mueller are sitting pat after reaching the century mark.

""I was definitely glad that I achieved that goal. It maybe wasn't something that — when I got to college — I said" ‘I want to get to 100 wins"'"" Dobies said.

""But I think it's a good milestone in your career to show that you have … had some success in college. And I'm glad" but we've got to keep on going. Once you get to 100 you can't stop. It's a great thing but we've got ACC and nationals" and we've got to keep going.""

That attitude is shared by coach C.D. Mock"" who is hoping to place more than just two competitors at nationals this year.

""It's a great accomplishment"" Mock said. They both have been great competitors for us and super leaders. I just hope they can get some more.""

And Dobies surely wants to ""get some more"" as well — if not for anything or anyone else"" for Mock.

""I think (the program's growing success) just goes to show that what he teaches is definitely working" and there's more success to come in this program" Dobies said. I'm just glad that I could be a part of it.""



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