Wrestling is a grinding and relentless sport that challenges a man’s will just as much as his physical ability. In his second year at NC State, Pete Renda has proven that he is up to that challenge.

Renda is a 174-pound sophomore on the Wolfpack wrestling team and an athlete that is looking to weather the grueling wrestling season in hopes of getting a chance to battle for the NCAA national title.

With the national championships right around the corner, Renda hopes his hard work pays off.

“It’s tough at this time in the season; we are all beat up,” Renda said. “But just thinking about March and thinking about our goals keep me going.”

Renda started his career off strong at NC State, tallying a 27-11 record his freshman year. The Pennsylvania native won the third-most matches ever by a freshman for the Pack on his way to becoming an NCAA qualifier and being named the No. 2 rookie nationally by Amateur Wrestling News in the 174-pound weight class.

“It was a different adjustment to get used to, just toughening up,” Renda said. “Staying tough seven minutes, that’s enough to win a match.”

The NCAA qualifier has continued his success from his freshman year onto his sophomore year as he now holds an impressive 16-7 record on the year. Six of the seven losses that he has sustained have come to wrestlers ranked in the top-15 in the country.

Renda is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation in his weight class, but the sophomore said he isn’t prepared to stop there.

“I have been ranked right around No. 20, last year I broke the top 20,” Renda said. “I’m ready to make the next jump here soon, I just think I need a few more little things then I will make the jump to the top 10.”

Renda also has the added luxury of wrestling with other top wrestlers such as junior Nick Gwiazdowski, who is the NCAA defending national champion, and No. 17 ranked Max Rohskopf. Renda is quick to recognize his talented teammates and how the competition has helped him become the wrestler he is today.

“Having Nick in the room, knowing that he is one of the best guys in the country is a big help,” Renda said. “You know that you have the best partners in the country. All these guys are tough to wrestle, and we just battle in the room.”

Renda has also grown from the help and experience he has gained from head coach Pat Popolizio and assistant coach Frank Beasley. The two coaches were both very successful wrestlers in their own right and bring a valuable mentorship to Renda.

“Obviously Pat and coach Beasley [have influenced me],” Renda said. “We have had so many guys come in, and they just give us a few words on what helped them get to the top and it helps give me different perspectives.”

The sophomore will look to continue his strong season as the meat of the conference wrestling schedule begins in February. The team will then travel to Pittsburgh to participate in the ACC Championships in hopes of making its mark on the highly competitive conference, the last chance to do so before NCAA Championships in March.

“I’ve been wanting to be a national champ since ninth grade,” Renda said. “So I just remember that every morning I wake up.”

Renda will look to see his hard work and dedication pay off by making a deep run in the national tournament.