Nathan Kraisser, a rising senior at Centennial, has committed to wrestle at the University of North Carolina after high school. (Photo by Nate Pesce/Paxutent Publishing)

All-America Centennial wrestler Nathan Kraisser committed to the University of North Carolina late Tuesday afternoon, lifting pressure from his shoulders and no doubt disappointing Maryland and Virginia Tech, the two other schools on his short list.

"I just committed two hours ago," Kraisser said by phone. "It's a relief, a big relief. Now I can just go wrestle and enjoy my senior year."

North Carolina is in the midst of building its wrestling program, and Kraisser said that aspect was appealing, as well as the belief that he could grow as a wrestler there.

"I liked the coaching staff,” he said. “I felt I'd have good teammates and I just felt comfortable there.”