| JohnMark Bentley |
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Carolina’s likely starter at 149 lbs.
As a Sophomore (1998-99) — ACC Champion and NCAA qualifier at 149 lbs ... Posted 32-7 record, including a 12-2 record in dual meets ... Won four of five ACC matches ... Climbed to ninth in all-time career winning percentage record list with a 61-14 all-time record (.813) ... Placed second at the season-opening East Stroudsburg Open and at the Carolina Open ... Helped lead UNC to a second-place showing at the Sunshine Open in Dec. with an individual title ... Was 4-1 at the Virginia duals, losing only a close 5-4 decision against Cornell ... Won by major decision in the Tar Heel victory over N.C. State in January ... Won six decisions by fall, including a pin of Charles Walker of top-ranked Oklahoma State ... Scored Carolina’s lone three points in a loss to No. 6 Nebraska ... Suffered a sprained right ankle and was forced to default in second meeting with NCSU ... An All-ACC team pick ... Hampered with injured ankle, was 1-2 at the NCAA Championships.
As a Freshman (1997-98) — One of the top freshmen in the nation ... ACC champion and NCAA qualifier ... Sixth-team Freshman All-America by Amateur Wrestling News ... Won the ACC title at 142 lbs. with a major decision victory over Pierre Pryor of N.C. State, 10-2 ... A member of the All-ACC Team ... Went 29-7 with a 12-1 mark in dual meets ... Won eight matches by fall and was not pinned ... Improved throughout the year, winning 15 straight matches beginning Jan. 14 vs. N.C. State and culminating in his first ACC title March 7 ... Went 2-2 at the NCAA Championships with one of his losses coming to eventual national champion Jeff McGinness of Iowa ... Finished first at 142 at the East Stroudsburg Open.
Prep — One of the top high school wrestlers in the country ... Rated the #2 recruit in the nation at 135 lbs. by Amateur Wrestling News in 1997 ... The 1997 national high school champion at 130 lbs. ... Posted a career record of 144-0 at Avery County H.S. in Newland, N.C. ... Only the second wrestler in N.C. prep history to both finish his career undefeated and win four state titles ... Featured in Sports Illustrated’s "Faces in the Crowd" section in April, 1997 ... Two-time ASICS Tiger All-America ... Member of the USA Dream Team at 145 lbs. ... N.C. state tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler ... Two-time Academic All-America ... PepsiCola Scholar Athlete ... Was a shortstop on the baseball team as a freshman ... Ran two years of track ... Ran cross country for three years.
Off the Mat — JohnMark Obie Bentley is the son of Paul and Rita Bentley ... His brother wrestled at Appalachian State University ... Born Jan. 21, 1979 ... Mentor for Athletes Coming Together … Carolina Athletic Counsel member … Majoring in communications.
Bentley’s Career Record
Year Overall Dual Falls
1997-98 29-7 12-1 8
1998-99 32-7 12-2 6
Totals 61-14 24-3 14
