ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell wrestling team won all the close matches early and added some bonus points late to earn a 32-6 win over No. 24 North Carolina on Friday evening at a sold-out Friedman Wrestling Center. The Big Red closed out dual season with a 13-2 record, while the Tar Heels fell to 9-11.

Cornell won three one-point decisions in the first four contested bouts after the home team gained a forfeit to begin the match at 125. The early lead wasn't necessary in the end, as the home team won seven of the nine contests and earned bonus points in the final two to earn its ninth straight win.

The Big Red won consecutive decisions at 133 and 141 to set the tone, with Chaz Tucker coming out of a battle with Zach Sherman for a 4-3 win, and fourth-ranked Yianni Diakomihalis used riding time for the difference in a 7-6 triumph over No. 19 A.C. Headlee.

The highlight of the first half of the dual was Fredy Stroker's win over 15th-ranked Kennedy Monday at 157 pounds, his biggest win yet in a Cornell singlet. It was one of four Cornell wins over ranked Tar Heel opponents. Freshmen Max Dean earned a major decision over No. 17 Chip Ness at 184 and classmate Ben Darmstadt pinned No. 15 Danny Chaid in the first period at 197 to punctuate the dual. Heavyweight Jeramy Sweany and 165-pounder Jon Jay Chavez both used strong rides and tilts to claim major decisions.

Even Cornell's two losses were impressive, as early takedowns by Will Koll over No. 8 Troy Heilmann at 149 and by Brandon Womack over No. 16 Ethan Ramos at 174 weren't enough in eventual three-point losses.

The Big Red lineup will continue training prior to heading to Hofstra for the EIWA Championship beginning on Saturday, March 3. Cornell will be in search of its record 12 straight league title. 

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#11 Cornell 32, #24 North Carolina 6
125: Noah Baughman (C) won by forfeit
133: Chaz Tucker (C) won by decision over Zach Sherman (UNC), 4-3
141: #4 Yianni Diakomihalis (C) won by decision over #19 A.C. Headlee (UNC), 7-6
149: #8 Troy Heilmann (UNC) won by decision over Will Koll (C), 10-7
157: Fredy Stroker (C) won by decision over #15 Kennedy Monday (UNC), 4-3
165: #18 Jon Jay Chavez (C) won by major decision over Clay Lautt (UNC), 10-1
174: #16 Ethan Ramos (UNC) won by decision over Brandon Womack (C), 6-3
184: #11 Max Dean (C) won by decision over #17 Chip Ness (UNC), 8-2
197: #3 Ben Darmstadt (C) won by fall over #15 Danny Chaid (UNC), 2:31
285: Jeramy Sweany (C) won by major decision over Andrew Gunning (UNC), 14-4