The wrestling team will compete in Norman, Okla., at 8 p.m. as it takes on its first ranked opponent of the season. Oklahoma, ranked No. 21 in the country, last competed against N.C. State in 2004 when it beat the Wolfpack.

Coach Carter Carter Jordan said he’s been working with individuals since the N.C. State Open Saturday, improving on technique, but other than that, the team has been running, Jordan said.

“They’ve been running a lot,” the coach said with a laugh. “Screwed up. Just stupid stuff. They all didn’t work together. They all didn’t work together to get [the N.C. State] tournament set up and taken down. So they’ve been doing some running for that.”

Jordan noted the Sooners have a solid program.

“They’re Oklahoma,” he said. “They’re one of the most storied programs in the country. Very similar to their football program in terms of history. It’s going to be a great experience for us.”

Sophomore Joe Caramanica said the team is optimistic about its chances.

“Hopefully we’ll get some big wins,” Caramanica said. “Most of their guys are ranked in the country. Wrestling against those teams gets us a chance to be ranked nationally.”

Though most of the upperclassmen have been in the rotation, Caramanica said the younger guys are getting the opportunity to experience big-time competition and are learning the ropes as they go along.

“They’re young. Nobody knows their style,” Caramanica said. “So I think that they got a chance.”

Caramanica has dropped a weight class from last year. He has gone from 149 pounds to 141, and he said it was difficult.

“It was hard at first,” Caramanica said. “Now I got my weight under control. So now it’s good.”

Redshirt sophomore Taylor Cummings said the team has to approach its match believing it can beat its opponent.

“Everyone’s beatable, so that’s the way everyone should look at their match,” Cummings said. “It doesn’t matter how they did last weekend or high school. They need to worry about the one match on Thursday night.”

The team will return to North Carolina Saturday to compete in the ACC/ Big 10 Challenge in Chapel Hill, taking on Purdue at 2 p.m. and Michigan State at 4 p.m.