I remember my first Pack wrestling match vividly. I came in with low expectations, simply because the high school matches I went to were… How do you say?… Less than enthusiastic.
But it was 1000 times better than imagined.
A packed Reynolds, to face-off against UNC, had buzz in the air at first entry and was electric the entire night. The crescendo of noise growing as fans could sense a shoulder heading for the mat or a needed two-point takedown to win. It’s easily the closest thing to a true gladiator feel, The Coliseum was The Colosseum.
Which makes it even more disappointing that State wrestling is on the verge of a third straight ACC title and are hosts, in what will be a near empty Reynolds. Maybe restrictions are lessened, but it still won’t be the energetic, full capacity crowd I dream of.
A Different Breed
I don’t want to take away anything from other student athletes. The amount of time spent on school work (unless you’re at UNC), juggling a side job (unless you’re at Duke) and honing your craft, is amazing. It truly is underrated the effort student athletes put into everything.
But wrestlers are another breed.
The meticulous weight balance, the thought process that you need to train just the right amount, it’s all so rigorous and on the verge of psychotic (no offense). And that’s outside of match days. Once you get on the mat it becomes an intense chess game where every move and attack matters. Which makes it even more exciting with thousands of passionate, screaming fans.
Tournament Overview
This Sunday the Coliseum should be rocking for a State squad that has a chance to win it again. There will be at least three Wolfpack members named champions and a couple more that move onto Nationals, based on final placement alone.
This time should be a homecoming celebration of sorts, a time to appreciate athletes at their peak. Instead it will be much more subdued, although I’m sure the same intensity will remain on the mat itself.
Six of the ten State wrestlers are ranked in the top two of their weight class. That means they’ll be getting an automatic bye and one match away from a spot in the Finals. My hope is that Wilson and D. Bullard get revenge for their 2020 shortcomings and H. Hidlay takes care of business at 157. Just like every sport, it’s who wants it takes it, and frankly, Pack are running seven deep with contenders.
State’s Rankings for the ACC Championship
(Bold – 2020 Champs – Italicized – 2020 Runner-up)
125 Pounds – #2 Jakob Camacho
133 Pounds – #5 Jarrett Trombley
141 Pounds – #1 Tariq Wilson
149 Pounds – #3 Ed Scott
157 Pounds – #1 Hayden Hidlay
165 Pounds – #5 Thomas Bullard
174 Pounds – #1 Daniel Bullard
184 Pounds – #2 Trent Hidlay
197 Pounds – #4 Nick Reenan
285 Pounds – #1 Deonte Wilson
Tournament Schedule
First-round action starts at 11 a.m. Sunday. Semifinals are at 1 p.m. with Championship matches beginning at 7 p.m. All matches will be broadcasted on the ACC Network.
