The Wolfpacker

November 2018

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1043000

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 106 of 139

NOVEMBER 2018 ■ 105 in college. After earning entry into the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, he upset numerous college All-Americans with dominant performances to win the event and face four-time NCAA finalist David Taylor in Final X. The winner would represent the United States in October's World Championships (in an Olympic year, that would be who wrestles in the Olympics). Although Re- enan lost, he gained invaluable experience and put the nation on notice for when he steps back onto the college level. "He's one of the best technicians in the country," Popolizio noted. "It's a huge jump to the senior level [from college] and he was one of the better guys there — and he's still young. When he's back around guys his age, it's a different ball game." Popolizio contends there are more than those three capable of climbing to the top of the NCAA podium. "I think everybody that puts on our sin- ■ Key Matches • Vs. Nebraska, Dec. 16 — The two have met the last four seasons, trading wins each year. The bout should feature a trio of top-10 matchups (at 125, 157 and 184 pounds), while 174 pits a pair of top-20 grapplers against each other. • At Ohio State, Jan. 6 — Ranked versus ranked matchups abound in a showdown of two of the nation's best recent programs. Top-10 clashes are set for 133, 149, 157 and 184 pounds, while 174 and 197 should include a top-20 contestant on either side. • ACC Championships in Blacksburg, March 9 — The Pack's regular-season finale is in Blacksburg Feb. 24 and the two programs have become top-10 mainstays, but in college wrestling it's all about the postseason. The ACCs are where bids for the NCAA Championships — held two weeks later in Pittsburgh — are claimed, and the Pack and Hokies are the two heavy favorites for the conference crown. Per FloWrestling, Virginia Tech is the league favorite at five of 10 weight classes to State's four, but the Pack has four No. 2s to the Hokies' one. Management Professionals, Inc. WWW.ELITE-MGMT.COM Community Association Specialist AAMC 919.233.7660 Noting The Pack • The squad's five straight top-20 NCAA finishes are tied for the most in school history, matching the run from 1980-84. During the recent streak, the team has produced 11 All-Americans, another five-year program record. Last year, the Pack set single-season marks with two NCAA finalists (ACC record) and four All-Americans. • NCSU went 15-2 in duals last year and finished No. 6 in the final NWCA/USA Today Coaches' Poll for its third straight top-10 placement. The only team with a better dual winning percentage than NCSU's 50-5 during that stretch is Penn State, NCAA champions in seven of the past eight seasons. • This 2018 freshman class was ranked No. 3 nationally by Intermat and No. 6 by FloWrestling, but most outside of the two heavyweight additions should redshirt. It marks the third crew of signees under Popolizio to earn at least one top-five na - tional ranking.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolfpacker - November 2018