Redshirt junior Nick Gwiazdowski’s title defense did not start as planned, as the NC State heavyweight was defeated by senior Mike McMullan of Northwestern Saturday.

The two faced off in Philadelphia for the annual NWCA All-Star Classic, an event showcasing two of the nation’s best collegiate wrestlers of each weight class. As the match was a part of an exhibition event, the loss will not count against Gwiazdowski’s 2015 record.

Gwiazdowski was one of three wrestlers from the ACC to attend the invite-only exhibition. Sophomore Joey Dance (125) of Virginia Tech and redshirt senior Nick Sulzer (165) of Virginia also made the trip to Philly.

Heading into the match, Gwiazdowski and McMullan were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 at the heavyweight position by TheOpenMat.com, respectively.

Gwiazdowski and McMullan were neck-in-neck heading into the second set, but a late takedown and near fall by McMullan gave the senior the four-point advantage that he needed to seal the match. McMullan finished the match with an 8-4 victory.

Last season, Gwiazdowski won the NCAA heavyweight championship and set multiple school records, including most wins in a single season with 42.

McMullan had a solid 2014 campaign as well. Ranked No. 1 in the nation for a good part of the season, the Northwestern heavyweight finished the season third in the nation last season and has finished in the top three at Nationals all three years of his career.

Gwiazdowski defeated McMullan last season when the Wolfpack took on Northwestern in Durham to knock him out of the top spot. Gwiazdowski was able to record a takedown in overtime for the victory, but the State squad fell to No. 15 Northwestern by a combined score of 24-15.

The Wolfpack wrestling team will kick off the 2015 season on Friday, as the team hosts its annual intrasquad scrimmage at Carmichael Gymnasium.