Congratulations to the 2018-2019 team on their ACC championship!!! Good luck at nationals...
I enjoyed watching them compete this season, but like most recruiting threads... I'm wondering what next year's team may look like .
125 Fausz is graduating... Storm contributed some this year, but I imagine this weight will become anchored by either Camacho, Alvarez or Orine. Mueller (UVa) likely wins again, but need to be competitive vs Prata (VT) and Heilmann (UNC)
133 Wilson retains spot, but needs to overcome Philippi (Pitt). Myers (VT) is looming
141 Morris (champion) is graduating... whose in line to take over? A number of options... someone needs to be competitive with Moore (VT) going forward
149 Oliver is graduating... again, who is in line to take over? Will either incoming FR, Lewis or Shaw by an option at 141/149? O'Connor (UNC) will be a handful the next few years. VT will be replacing this weight class, as well.
157 Hidlay (champion) returns... no worries
165 Bullard returns... I like the Bullard brothers, but Lewis (VT) will be a difficult opponent for the next few years. Do Hidlay or Rider contribute here or at 174?
174 Bullard returns... again, need to overcome McFadden (VT)
184 Reenan returns... dealt with injuries and struggled late in the season (looked tired in initial ACC championship bout that he won at the very end and was overwhelmed by Bonacorsi). Zavatsky (VT) graduates, but Bonacorsi (Pitt) will be likely #1 in ACC
197 McDonald (champion) graduates... VT loses Sleigh, but Aiello (UVA) returns and was the top 197 ACC wrestler this year. I'm assuming incoming FR Knop is the front runner to take this spot.
285 Wilson returns... but this was by far the weakest weight class for NC State this year. VT is replacing this weight class, so this weight is up for grabs after Thomas (Pitt). I would think incoming FR Trephan would need a year at least to put on the necessary weight to be competitive.
It will be difficult for NC State to repeat next year unless some of the incoming FR can contribute right away. Just looking at returning wrestlers, VT (141, 165 and 174) and Pitt (133, 184, and HWT) each return 3 of the top wrestlers at their weight class. UVA returns 2 (125 and 197) while NC State only returns 1 (Hidlay).