The wrestling team opened up its season in the Wolfpack Open tournament, which drew wrestlers from various schools including Appalachian State, UNC, UNC-Greensboro and UNC-Pembroke Sunday in Reynolds Coliseum.

Redshirt junior Darrius Little was the only member of the Pack who won his bracket. He defeated Duke’s Mike Bell to take first at 141. But four of his teammates – sophomore Pedram Rahmatabadi, junior Mike Moreno, junior Colton Palmer, and junior Quinton Godley – also placed third or better.

Coach Carter Jordan said Little will be a strong competitor despite suffering injuries after the first ten matches of the 2009-10 campaign. He went 7-3 during these matches.

“I was really happy for him,” Jordan said. “I feel like it was a big confidence booster for him. In his matches the previous weekend he beat two All-Americans. We’re very proud of him.”

Jordan also said the tournament was a great early measuring tool for his team.

“I’m really excited about the way we competed today, but what we’re really concerned about is the effort of the team,” Jordan said. “The way we did battle today was great. I’m certainly excited about the way we looked today, but we’ve got to go back to work on the little things and correcting the small mistakes when we get to practice. Overall, we showed a great work ethic today and we want to keep that effort moving forward.”

The Pack will go on the road for its next tournament, the Oklahoma Open, which will take place in Norman Nov. 27.