The N.C. State Wolfpack wrestling team defeated The Citadel on Military Appreciation Day Feb. 15, 2011, 27-18. Major General Karl Horst of the United States Joint Forces Command and Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Ratashak of the NC State Army ROTC served as honorary captains for the match and at halftime were presented plaques honoring them for their service to NC State University, college athletics and Wolfpack wrestling.
The Wolfpack fell to an early 12-0 deficit with a pin in the 125lb match and a forfeit in the 133lb match.
Redshirt Junior Darius Little began a momentum shift in the matchup by getting the Wolfpack on the board with a 3 point decision in the 141lb match, bringing the score to 12-3. “It played a pivotal part in taking the momentum, it had to get started some where,” said Little.
Redshirt Senior Darrion Caldwell was intense and heavily concentrated up until his match.
“Wrestling is mental, Im just getting ready to go and when Im in that zone I feel like Im untouchable,” said Caldwell. “That last stare is just to let him know he has no chance. That’s my circle and any guy that enters it, it is at their own risk.”
The number one ranked Caldwell won by pinfall with 2:14 left in the 1st period in the 149lb match, cutting the Citadel’s lead to 3. With the victory Caldwell improved his record to 11-0 and moved ahead of Sylvester Terkay as N.C. State’s all time leader in win percentage at .8974 over Terkay’s .8971.
After redshirt junior Colton Palmer tied the score 12-12 with a decision in the 157lb matchup, freshman Nijel Jones put the Pack in the lead with a pin of #8 ranked Turtogtokh Luvsandorj, in the last minute of the third period.
””It is a huge confidence booster, my last six matches were against ranked opponents and I lost all six of them,” said Jones. “When I got my first takedown with the slam I knew, I felt him break and that’s when I knew I had it.”
The audience, including the honored members of the military in attendance, and the Wolfpack bench erupted with Jones’ victory.
“I always try to stay humble in victory or defeat but when I saw everyone on their feet I just thought wow this is what I want from now on. I wanna win like the big guys on our team,” said Jones.
The team went on to add victories by junior Quinton Godley, and Eloheim Palma and won the dual match 27-18 improving to 9-9 on the year.
The shift in momentum propelled the team not only for the night but will mark a turning point for the program and the team’s season said head coach Carter Jordan.
“The moment the shift started was after Nijel. You got to witness tonight the turn of the program and we have been waiting for that all year long,” said Coach Jordan. “You need a moment like that. They really turned a corner. These guys go out fighting.”
Caldwell, the team’s captain, shared Coach Jordan’s view of the impact the win will have on the team.
“Guys are starting to go out there and implementing what we have been working on all year, going out there and wrestling hard for seven minutes and inflicting their will upon the opponent,” said Caldwell.
