N.C. State’s wrestling team ended its four-meet home stand on a sour note, as the Wolfpack was outmatched by No. 12 Virginia, 22-10. Sunday’s meet marked State’s (12-5 overall, 1-3 ACC) final home meet this season.
Sunday’s meet was also Senior Day for State, as two regular starters were honored: senior Nijel Jones (165) and redshirt senior KaRonne Jones (197). The two have combined for 97 wins, including 22 pins, in their four seasons with the Pack. Head coach Pat Popolizio said the two seniors have both made a big mark on the program.
“They’ve been here for a long time,” Popolizio said. “Nijel has been committed to the program. We’ve had some ups and downs with him this year, but he’s been a big part of the program. KaRonne Jones, his leadership has been huge for the team. He’s obviously the most mature guy we have.”
The Pack started strong in Sunday’s meet, as No. 5 redshirt sophomore Nick Gwiazdowski (285) dominated his opponent, 14-4. The lopsided decision marked Gwiazdowski’s fourth straight win against an ACC opponent.
With 1:09 remaining in the second match, freshman Micah Perez (125) was put in an illegal hold, causing his knee to give for a short time. After a brief timeout, Perez managed to keep going strong and score an escape point, holding his opponent to a win by decision.
“You have to finish matches out,” Popolizio said. “You can’t show if you get banged up. You’ve got to wrestle through it.”
After the loss at 125, State proceeded to drop matches at the 133 and 141 weight classes, both by decision. No. 25 freshman Sam Speno (141) was locked in a tight match with the 12th-ranked competitor in his weight class, but could not get the tying takedown as time expired.
In the last match before halftime, No. 26 freshman Brian Hamann (149) defeated sophomore Justin Van Hoose in a close match, winning by a score of 2-1. The victory brought State within two points of Virginia, entering the intermission.
In the final home match of his career, Nijel Jones (165) was matched against No. 2 junior Nick Sulzer. Though Jones managed a takedown, Sulzer proved to be too much, as the Cavalier won by major decision, 16-4.
Freshman Michael Macchiavello (184) gave the Pack its third win of the night, defeating his opponent, 6-4. However, the decision only lessened Virginia’s lead to nine entering the final match, officially putting a victory out of State’s reach.
In Sunday’s dual, eight matches were settled by decisions, while the other two ended with major decisions. KaRonne Jones said small mistakes ultimately played to the Pack’s downfall.
“All the matches today could have went either way,” Jones said. “It’s one of those matches where things didn’t fall right in place.
“[There’s] no need to sulk on this one. It’s still a long season ahead, and our goals are still able to be accomplished.”
