In late January, things looked very different for the wrestling program. The Wolfpack had just suffered its seventh loss against Maryland and had a record of 1-2 against conference opponents. After the bout against the Terrapins, however, the team went on to win its last six matches and would eventually take home the conference championship.

On Thursday, the ACC announced that its top three individual awards would be going to the Pack. Freshman Darrion Caldwell was given the conference wrestler of the year and rookie of the year titles. Coach Carter Jordan was named ACC coach of the year.

Jordan said although the awards were individual, they were only made possible by a collective effort of many people.

“It was a great thing that happened today for the University and for the program,” Jordan said. “All the credit goes to all the people that support us: my staff, the sports staff and the administrators that have given us the opportunity and all the things we need to win. They get all the credit for this.”

Caldwell is the first freshman to be awarded ACC wrestler of the year, and he is the first Wolfpack wrestler to be given the title in 14 years. Caldwell compiled a record of 20-6 and 9-0 against ACC opponents.

“Darrion — he had an unbelievable year,” Jordan said. “To do what he did as a freshman, his folks should get a lot of credit for that as well as his high school coach.”

After winning the ACC championship at the 141 weight class, Caldwell’s post-season run was ended by Northwestern’s Ryan Lang, the No. 1 seed. Although Caldwell is just a freshman, earlier this month Jordan said that experience on the big stage is not an issue with him.

“Darrion Caldwell has won three state titles in New Jersey,” Jordan said. “He wrestled in front of 12,000 people all three times he won those state titles. So when the lights are on, he’s ready to go.”

Jordan began coaching at N.C. State as an assistant under Bob Guzzo in 1998. In just his third year as head coach, he has led the Pack to its 13th conference championship and has compiled a record of 32-20-1. Despite his successes, Jordan said others deserve the recognition.

“The credit goes elsewhere,” Jordan said. “We win these awards on other people’s work.”