Championships are the standard for NC State wrestling. With six-straight ACC titles, the Wolfpack is looking to continue its impressive run. However, with perennial contender Virginia Tech enjoying a strong season and rival UNC-Chapel Hill on the rise, the red-and-white has its work cut out for it this season.
In each weight class, the Pack has a wrestler that is a top five seed and nine wrestlers that are top four seeds. Each school gets to send one wrestler, meaning there are seven total seeds per weight class. The top seed in each class receives a first round bye, needing to win just a semifinals and finals bout to be the ACC champion. Everyone else will have to win three rounds to become an ACC champion.
With redshirt junior Isaac Trumble as the lone No. 1 seed for the Wolfpack, he’ll be critical for the Pack’s chances at an ACC title. Trumble will have a first round bye, before facing the winner of Pitt’s Dayton Pitzer and Stanford’s Peter Ming in the ACC semifinals. From there, Trumble’s most likely finals opponent would be Virginia Tech’s Jimmy Mullens, who Trumble defeated in a 5-3 decision in the red-and-white’s regular season finale.
Potentially the most competitive bracket will be the 125-pound bracket, which features three wrestlers ranked in the top 10 nationally. NC State’s redshirt freshman Vince Robinson will be the No. 2 seed. Unlike most classes, there are only five competitors, with Duke and Stanford not sending any competitors for the 125-pound championship. The absences set up a semifinals rematch between Robinson and Carolina’s Spencer Moore. Robinson clinched the dual meet for NC State with a 10-4 win over Moore, setting up a dramatic rematch. With a win, Robinson would likely face Virginia Tech’s Eddie Ventresca — a national title contender — for the ACC Championship.
Senior Ed Scott also enters the ACC Tournament as a No. 2 seed, competing in the 157-pound class. Scott is set to face Duke’s Nick Tattini in the first round and with a win would face either Pitt’s Dylan Evans or Virginia’s Michael Gioffre. Of those three, Evans is the only one that is ranked nationally at No. 21, setting up a favorable path for Scott to the finals. If he makes finals, Scott could potentially get a rematch with Virginia Tech’s Rafael Hopolito Jr., who defeated Scott 3-2 late in the season. With a Hokie and Wolfpack wrestler as the main contenders, the 157-pound class could be one of the most important brackets in the team ACC Championship race.
The Wolfpack’s final No. 2 seed is redshirt sophomore Dylan Fishback. With nationally ranked wrestlers in the 184-pound bracket, Fishback will have plenty of competition. However, the Wolfpack wrestler has the talent to contend. Facing Duke’s David Hussey in the first round, Fishback should advance and would most likely face UNC’s Gavin Kane in the semifinals — who Fishback dominated 14-5 earlier this season. Pitt’s Reece Heller is the No. 1 seed and earned a 6-2 win over Fishback early in the season. A potential rematch with Heller would be must-see TV.
While he’s a No. 4 seed, redshirt senior Kai Orine will be a tough out. With a pair of ACC Championships to his name, Orine has the experience and talent to pull some upsets and win one more. However, the 133-pound bracket is loaded with top talent, including five total ranked wrestlers. Facing Virginia’s Gable Porter to open, Orine will have to be at his best. If he advances, Orine would then face No. 1 seed Ethan Oakley from UNC. Orine suffered a 2-1 loss to Oakley earlier this season, but in a neutral environment, he has a real chance to turn the tides.
If there’s a dark horse contender for NC State, it’s redshirt sophomore Matty Singleton. Competing as the No. 4 seed in the 174-pound bout, Singleton is ranked No. 20 nationally — just two spots behind top seeded Josh Ogunsanya from UNC. The wild card in the bracket is Stanford’s Lorenzo Norman, a top 10 nationally ranked wrestler who’s dealt with injuries this season. At his best, Norman should be the favorite in the bracket. However, if he’s not at 100%, Singleton has as good a chance as anyone to take the 174 pound crown.
Along with the above wrestlers, NC State has four other wrestlers competing this week. In the 141 and 149-pound brackets, the Wolfpack has the No. 4 seeds in redshirt sophomore Troy Hohman and redshirt freshman Koy Buesgens. In the 165-pound bout, No. 3 seed redshirt junior Derek Fields will compete. Finally, in the 197-pound bracket, redshirt senior Christian Knop will be the No. 5 seed.
The road to a seventh straight team ACC title won’t be easy. The Pack will have to pull some upsets and take care of business at every opportunity. However, if there’s a program that has earned the benefit of the doubt, it is the Wolfpack.
The ACC Championships will take place all day on Sunday in Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. Television coverage will be available on ACC Network.
