NC State wrestling super seniors shine in last Reynolds appearance

NC State wrestling’s trajectory changed in many ways when they signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2016. That class is all grown up and four of them even stuck around an extra year in Raleigh.

They all got the storybook ending they dreamed of with a 21-10 defeat of No. 7 Virginia Tech Sunday night in their final appearance at Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack won seven of 10 matches, led by their trio of super seniors in the starting lineup.

“Going out [like that] our last time with those three guys was very impactful,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “All three got a win, and that’s what we talked about tonight — sending those guys out. Tonight was a big win for them.  

“They’re everything. They’re the leaders, they’ve paved the way. They’ve helped build this culture, this fanbase — we’ve still got some seats to fill up, but I’d rival this atmosphere against any arena in the country. That goes back to the hard work those guys have been putting in, and Wolfpack fans showing up.”

• RELATED: How Pat Popolizio Built NC State Wrestling Into A Powerhouse

165-pounder Thomas Bullard got things started with a 4-0 decision. That meant the most-anticipated bout of the dual — between Virginia Tech NCAA champion Mekhi Lewis and Wolfpack NCAA finalist Hayden Hidlay — was second.

Hidlay bounced back from a shocking loss Friday, when his top-10 foe from North Carolina pinned him, with a 3-1 triumph in sudden victory over Lewis.

He noted after the match Sunday that the Carolina loss was probably the first time he had been pinned since fifth grade. But he went from the lowest low to the highest high.

“It’s been one hell of a weekend, that’s for sure,” Hidlay said. “I think you got a little bit of everything from me individually. Friday night is up there with one of my worst career losses, and this is for sure my biggest career win. It’s crazy how all that happens within the span of about 48 hours.

“It was a career loss that was haunting and embarrassing for me, then to turn around two days later and I have my biggest career win. I’ve never beaten an NCAA champion before. Tonight was the night. I felt in control, and I stuck to the game plan.”

“That’s the biggest thing with him — he’s in it to enjoy this,” Popolizio added. “I think the amount of stress and pressure that he’s put on himself in years past, I don’t know if he would’ve rebounded after what happened to him Friday night.”

The third super senior to take the mat for the Wolfpack was 149-pounder Tariq Wilson at 149 pounds in the penultimate match of the dual. He clinched the bout with a dominant 9-3 victory over No. 5 Bryce Andonian.

“That kid’s had our number the last couple years,” Popolizio admitted. “Tariq wrestled smart. A lot of guys get out of position [against Andonian] and get put in bad position, but Tariq can pick people apart. I think we’re going to see postseason Tariq now, that’s what you saw this weekend.”

Although the official attendance was announced at only 2,680 — smaller than Friday’s crowd — there was still a raucous atmosphere that Hidlay appreciated and felt impacted the match. Moments after his win over Lewis was as loud as this observer had heard Reynolds since Michael Macchiavello upset No. 1 Kollin Moore of Ohio State in front of a packed house.

“It was as good as I can ever remember here,” Hidlay said of the crowd. “They were so loud after our wins, but they were so loud after mat returns. It makes a difference to me, for sure. It’s incredible. I love these fans. It’s grown every year, and they keep getting more knowledgeable about the sport. It was great to put on a show for them one last time.

“… To see how they responded to Thomas, to me and Tariq especially, I was like this is beyond my wildest dreams.”

NC State won three one-point matches, plus Hidlay’s two-point victory in overtime.

“I think those are matches you are going to see in the quarterfinals, semifinals and maybe the NCAA finals,” Popolizio said. “It doesn’t matter how you get your hand raised, you have to find a way to win.”

“We looked great,” Hidlay concluded. “We did what we said we were going to do. We did what Pat said we were going to do. That makes me feel great inside because guys are bought in and believe. Even though things didn’t go our way in a couple matches, it is what it is, that’s a really good team. They are going to be in contention in a lot of ways at the national tournament, so to beat a team like that was impressive.”

#4 NC State 21, #7 Virginia Tech 10

165: #21 Thomas Bullard (NCSU) dec. Clayton Ulrey; 4-0 – 3-0
174: #4 Hayden Hidlay (NCSU) dec. #3 Mekhi Lewis; 3-1 (SV1) – 6-0
184: #3 Trent Hidlay (NCSU) dec. #14 Hunter Bolen; 2-1 – 9-0
197: #15 Isaac Trumble (NCSU) dec. #30 Dakota Howard; 6-0 – 12-0
285: #14 Nathan Traxler (VT) dec. Owen Trephan; 3-2 – 12-3
125: #20 Sam Latona (VT) dec. #14 Jakob Camacho; 9-3 – 12-6
133: #5 Korbin Myers (VT) major dec. #14 Kai Orine; 14-6 – 12-10
141: #24 Ryan Jack (NCSU) dec. #22 Collin Gerardi; 4-3 – 15-10
149: #3 Tariq Wilson (NCSU) dec. #5 Bryce Andonian; 9-3 – 18-10
157: #11 Ed Scott (NCSU) dec. #28 Connor Brady; 4-3 – 21-10