The No. 8 NC State wrestling team will begin its ACC schedule this Friday against Duke.
The Wolfpack (12-2) has competed in a challenging schedule so far in its 2018-19 season, facing five ranked teams. The Blue Devils (2-2), on the other hand, haven’t had much experience this season on a team-based level, but their individual wrestlers have gone up against talented opponents in multiple tournaments.
NC State redshirt sophomore Hayden Hidlay, ranked No. 3 at 157 pounds, has been one of the Pack’s most successful wrestlers, as he came off last season with All-American and ACC Champion honors. Hidlay has secured four major decisions this season, making his winning percentage 86.67 percent.
Another top competitor for the Wolfpack is redshirt sophomore Tariq Wilson, ranked No. 11 at 133 pounds, who boasts an 11-2 record this season. During last year’s NCAA Tournament, Wilson advanced to the semifinals before falling to the eventual national champion.
Redshirt senior Sean Fausz, ranked No. 19 at 125 pounds, has a winning percentage of 80 percent after his many wins and a major decision against Ohio State wrestler Hunter Lucas. Fausz has quite a rap sheet under his belt as an ACC Champion, three-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-ACC.
Duke has a secret weapon in two sets of twins who have all posted remarkable records and takedowns for the season. Josh Finesilver and Matt Finesilver are both sophomores following in their older brothers’ footsteps, Mitch Finesilver and Zach Finesilver, who are redshirt seniors for the Blue Devils.
No. 6 Mitch Finesilver, at 149 pounds, has posted a 19-3 overall record for Duke’s 2019 season. The team captain is an NCAA qualifier, ACC runner-up and took victories at both the Hokie Open and Wolfpack Open last season.
Josh Finesilver, at 141 pounds, has made a name for himself with the Blue Devils, posting a 15-7 record as a sophomore. Josh has three major decisions this season against opponents from Pennsylvania, Harvard and a wrestler from NC State during the Hokie Open.
At 165 pounds, Zach Finesilver upholds a winning percentage of 73.33 percent, along with a bonus percentage of 40 percent. The NCAA qualifier and All-ACC wrestler placed second at the ACC Championships last season.
No. 13 Matt Finesilver boasts a 17-5 record at 174 pounds for the season. Matt has five major decision wins to add onto his record sheet, with a bonus percentage of 50 percent. The sophomore ended the ACC Championships last year with a major decision win over Pittsburgh opponent, finishing 10-1.
The Wolfpack will host the Blue Devils this Friday inside Reynolds Coliseum at 7 p.m.
Hayden Hidlay, a redshirt sophomore in the 157-pound weight class, wrestles Brown senior Christian LaBrie on Saturday, Jan. 12 at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack beat Brown 29-10 and Hidlay was named ACC wrestler of the week.
