CHAPEL HILL, NC. — Count out the Cardiac Pack at your own risk.
Greatness is the standard for all NC State wrestlers, including redshirt freshman Vince Robinson. The breakout star for NC State wrestling has proven all season that he’s one of the nation’s best, holding an undefeated collegiate record. However, in a 16-16 tie, with bitter rivals deadlocked and just one bout remaining, Robinson stepped to the mat facing more pressure than ever before.
“I was ready for the moment,” Robinson said. “That’s just the type of moments I live for… I like shining and I like the big lights.”
Confidently striding to the center of Carmichael Arena, Robinson was NC State’s last chance to steal a victory in Chapel Hill. With an 11-match win streak over the Heels, an undefeated ACC record as a team and a perfect collegiate record individually on the line, Robinson and the Wolfpack faced the highest levels of pressure.
Wrestling against No. 13 Spencer Moore, one of the nation’s best in the 125-pound class, Robinson was unfazed. The redshirt freshman seized Moore by the leg, body-slamming him to the mat in the first period. Then Robinson did it again in the second period — and once more to emphatically earn a 10-4 victory over Moore. With the win, NC State charged past Carolina for its first lead of the night and a win.
“This meant a lot, it was my first one,” Robinson said. “I just saw last year when it was at home it wasn’t close at all, but this was my first one so I was really excited.”
With Wolfpack fans erupting into cheers, NC State celebrated its 12th consecutive win over Carolina in a 19-16 thriller. The instant classic appeared all but lost for the red-and-white when the Tar Heels jumped out to a 10-0 lead after three bouts. Typically pounding Carolina, the Wolfpack found itself in an unfamiliar position. However, with its best two wrestlers coming up clutch to close that dual meet, NC State remained on top despite Carolina’s feisty performance.
The close score marks potentially a new chapter in the rivalry. NC State (10-1, 4-0 ACC) showed it remains a powerhouse, defeating a talented opponent on the road. However, after years of taking beatings from the Wolfpack, Carolina (6-5, 2-1 ACC) showed it can compete with the best in the ACC. With the Heels improving under second-year head coach Rob Koll, the Wolfpack must bring its best whenever it faces the Tar Heels moving forward.
“Getting a win here is always big,” said head coach Pat Popolizio. “I don’t think it was our best wrestling that we showcased, but we found ways to come out on top and sometimes you got to do that in these dual meets when it’s cross-town rivals.”
The night started as poorly for NC State as one could imagine. No. 12 redshirt senior Kai Orine faced a stiff challenge from Carolina’s No. 13 Ethan Oakley. The pair remained tied at 1 apiece after three periods before Oakley secured a 2-1 win due to a stall point. Redshirt freshman Tyler Tracy found himself outgunned quickly in an 8-4 decision, with Carolina’s best wrestler, No. 5 Lachlan McNeil on deck.
McNeil proved he deserved his ranking in the 149-pound bout when facing No. 21 redshirt freshman Koy Buesgens. Fresh off an upset win a week prior, Buesgens held his own early in the bout, but a late takedown and near fall to end the first period doomed the Pack wrestler. McNeil ran away with an 11-2 major decision, leaving NC State in serious danger.
No. 14 senior Ed Scott found himself in a rematch with No. 19 Sonny Santiago. A year after suffering an upset at the hands of Santiago, Scott faced one of his most important matchups of the season. With Carolina fans loudly reminding him of last season’s result, Scott made sure history wouldn’t be repeated. Slamming Santiago to the mat with just seconds left in the first period, Scott seized an early lead. Despite a frantic rally and takedown by Santiago, Scott earned an escape in the third to reclaim the lead and a 5-4 decision, putting NC State on the board.
“That’s what leadership does and that’s what Ed Scott’s about,’ Popolizio said. “That’s why he’s one of our captains and leaders. He can not get too caught up in what’s going on in front of him and just zone in on his own match… We needed to get a little bit of momentum going and we did.”
The next few matches went back and forth, with Carolina winning the 174 and 197-pound bouts, while NC State took the 165 and 184-pound matches. No. 15 redshirt sophomore Dylan Fishback kept hope alive with a 13-5 major decision in the 184-pound match that truly shifted the momentum. Racking up four takedowns, Fishback relentlessly fought to keep hope alive for the red-and-white and allow the final wrestlers a chance to win the dual meet.
“I saw what he was recruited to do and that is to wrestle at a high level,” Popolizio said. “He was very focused, very technical and he wrestled a really good kid and dominated.”
Down 16-10, NC State needed its stars to show up late. With two bouts remaining, No. 4 redshirt junior Isaac Trumble faced Nolan Neeves. Despite being unranked, Neeves showed some guts with an aggressive approach that landed him a 6-2 lead after two takedowns. However, the Tar Heel burned out quickly as Trumble flipped the switch with a pair of his own takedowns. Trumble then pinned Neeves, stunning the home crowd as North Carolina’s six-point cushion evaporated in mere moments.
“Most heavyweights, their gas tank fades pretty quick,” Trumble said. “I knew that if I got escapes and just kept pushing the pace, I’d be able to make up the ground that I lost.”
Moments later, Robinson then snatched the win in the 125-pound bout, securing an improbable comeback and extending the Wolfpack’s streak of dominance. While the Tar Heels gave a fight, NC State once again flexed its strength when it mattered most.
NC State will have two weeks to prepare for its next matchup — a home duel against No. 15 Stanford. The match will be NC State’s senior day and final chance to catch the Pack in Reynolds Coliseum. The dual meet is set for Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.
