Following a disappointing home loss to No. 9 Oklahoma State, NC State wrestling successfully bounced back with a 43-5 win at Hofstra.
The Wolfpack (10-2) had a quick two-day turnaround from its loss to the Cowboys before traveling north to face the Pride (3-3). Despite the challenge, the red-and-white came out the gate strong and disposed of Hofstra early.
Unlike its last dual meet, the Pack started fast when redshirt sophomore Brock DelSignore earned a major decision in the 197-pound bout. Giving DelSignore match experience is very important given that the Pack’s super star in the weight class — redshirt senior Trent Hidlay — will be out of collegiate eligibility after this season.
Next up, No. 16 redshirt junior Owen Trephan took on No. 25 Keaton Kluever in the heavyweight bout. This bout was the only ranked-on-ranked matchup, giving it extra intrigue. Trephan took care of business with an 11-3 major decision of his own, bouncing back from a loss on Friday.
The major decisions continued to roll in for the Pack in the 125-pound class as graduate student Jarrett Trombley earned an impressive 9-0 shutout. A forfeit by Hofstra in the 133-pound class extended NC State’s lead to 18-0, putting the dual meet nearly out of reach early on.
With an already commanding lead, No. 4 junior Ryan Jack made a statement in the 141-pound bout with a 21-4 tech fall over Alex Turley. Jack was one of only three Pack wrestlers to win his match on Friday and is setting himself up for a potential title run with his success this year.
Hofstra finally showed some life in the 149-pound bout, earning its only points of the dual meet. The Pride’s Noah Tapia showed up freshman Trevor Kantor with a 21-3 tech fall, showing the young wolf that he has much to learn. However, that was the last good moment for the Pride, as NC State turned the heat back up on Hofstra in the bouts that followed.
In the 157-pound bout, No. 5 junior Ed Scott clinched a victory in just the first round, tacking on six points to the Pack’s team score and giving the red-and-white a 29-5 lead. No. 20 redshirt sophomore Derek Fields then followed up Scott in the 165-pound class with a 20-4 tech fall, icing off Matt Rogers in just two rounds.
The Pack wasn’t finished ending bouts early — the 174-pound match featuring No. 32 fifth year Alex Faison also ended in the second round. Faison routed the Pride’s Eric Shindel in a 22-4 tech fall. Redshirt junior Dylan Reinert then cleaned up the 184-pound bout to end the meet with a major decision, leading to a 43-5 NC State victory over Hofstra.
Next up, the Wolfpack will open ACC play in an away match against Pitt on Friday, Jan. 26. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be available on the ACC Network.
