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RELEASE: Three-Peat For NC State Wrestling

March 1, 2021
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RALEIGH, N.C. – Powered behind five individual ACC Champions, the NC State wrestling team claimed its third straight ACC Championship Sunday night in Reynolds Coliseum.

NC State claimed top team honors with 89.5 team points. Virginia Tech was second with 65.5 and North Carolina third with 63. Virginia (55), Pitt (45) and Duke (7) rounded out the team scoring.

In the process, the Pack qualified eight of its 10 starters for the NCAA Championships, and the remaining two will wait to earn if they earned an at-large selection.

ACC Championship Finals

The ACC Finals started at 133 pounds.

141 ACC Finals | #8 Tariq Wilson vs. #9 Zach Sherman, UNC
Wilson reached the ACC Finals for the third straight year, and became an ACC champion for the first time in his career. After a scoreless first, Wilson exploded for seven points in the second period – a takedown and a pair of two-point near falls. Wilson capped the 10-1 major decision over #9 Sherman of UNC with a takedown in the third period and the RT point.

157 ACC Finals | #2 Hayden Hidlay vs. #16 Justin McCoy, VT
For the fourth straight year, Hidlay left the ACC with gold at 157 pounds, becoming the 10th wrestler in ACC history to win four and fifth to do so at NC State. Hidlay scored all five takedowns in his bout, the last with 10 seconds left, and added in 2:20 of RT for a 12-3 major decision over #16 McCoy of UVA.

The Wolfpack claimed its third straight ACC Championship after Hidlay’s win, with six bouts left.

The final four NC State championship bouts all went to OT, and three ended with a Wolfpack wrestler’s hand raised.

174 ACC Finals | #8 Daniel Bullard vs. #14 Clay Lautt
In a rematch of last year’s final won by Lautt, Bullard earned his first ACC Championship with a takedown in OT. Their bout went into extra time 2-2, as Bullard scored a pair of escapes during regulation. In the extra time, Bullard stuck his winning takedown 34 seconds into extra time.

184 ACC Finals | #3 Trent Hidlay vs. #1 Hunter Bolen
In a top-3 battle, Hidlay took down the nation’s #1 wrestler in Bolen to claim his ACC title. Both wrestlers notched an escape in regulation, pushing the contest in OT at 1-1. Hidlay secured the winning takedown with just eight seconds left in the first extra period for the 3-1 win.

285 ACC Finals | #15 Deonte Wilson vs. Hunter Catka, VT
Wilson was the fourth Wolfpack wrestler to claim his first ACC title. After his bout went to overtime as each wrestler registered in an escape in the first seven minutes, Wilson used a 30-second ride out and took down Catka for the 2-1 win at heavyweight.

125 ACC Finals | #5 Jakob Camacho vs. #3 Sam Latona, VT
The final bout of the night was a top-5 battle that also went into OT tied 1-1. Neither wrestler scored in the first 60 seconds, and Latona used a ride out during his 30 seconds to claim a 2-1 win.

Consolation Finals

For the second time on the day, #11 Jarrett Trombley faced off with #10 Hayes of UVA, this time it was for third place at 133 pounds. Hayes scored the lone takedown of the match for the 3-2 win.

Fr. Ed Scott also placed fourth, at his first ACC Championship. After getting the first takedown, Scott got caught in a six-point move in the first, and fell to #24 Finesilver of Duke 10-5 at 149 pounds. Scott will have to await the at-large selections for the NCAAs.

In one of the most exciting bouts of the day, another rematch from the quarterfinals, #17 Thomas Bullard got revenge on #10 Monday from UNC and in the process earned an automatic NCAA bid at 165 pounds. Tied going into OT, Bullard countered a shot and got the winning takedown 36 seconds in to win 6-4.

#25 Nick Reenan returned to the Pack’s lineup and claimed a fourth place finish at 197 pounds, as he fell in his third place bout, 5-3 to #19 Shaw of UNC.

Consolation Semifinals

Trombley punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships with an automatic bid, as he got a first period takedown and then a third period ride out to down #28 Heilmann of UNC, 3-1.

Scott also advanced to the third place bout, netting a six-point move in the first period of his 10-4 win.

Thomas Bullard received a medical forfeit to advance to this third place bout.

Reenan went big in the first round, 11 points total. First he got six off a takedown five seconds in, then followed up for a headlock and four more points. He went on to win 13-8.

Semifinals

Camacho was the first to reach the ACC Finals, and he did so for the second straight year at 125 pounds. Camacho used a four-point near fall in the third and racked up 1:36 of RT to score a 10-1 major decision over Duke’s Agin.

Tariq Wilson advanced to the ACC Finals for the third straight year, using a takedown in both the first and third periods to score a 7-2 win over #18 Matthews of Pitt.

Scott fell to #8 Andonian of Virginia Tech, giving up a late takedown as he went for a tying score, 11-6.

Hayden Hidlay ended his semifinals bout early, and advanced to his fourth straight ACC title bout with a 21-6 tech fall over UNC’s #28 McClure. Hidlay had four takedowns in the third period, and all eight of the match overall.

Daniel Bullard used a takedown in both the first and third periods, and with 1:21 of RT, scored a 6-0 win over Howard of Virginia Tech to advance to his second straight ACC Finals.

Trent Hidlay also made it to back-to-back ACC finals at 184 pounds. He scored a first period takedown and added the ride time point for a 5-4 win over #23 Kane of UNC.

Reenan fell to #8 Bonacorrsi of Pitt, 8-2 at 197 pounds.

Deonte Wilson made for the sixth Wolfpack wrestler to advance to the finals, as he scored a pair of escapes and forced a pair of stalls in the first period for a 3-2 win over #27 Gunning of UNC.

Quarterfinals

With six of the Pack’s 10 as either a No. 1 or No. 2 seed and with a bye into the semifinals, NC State had four wrestlers start the day in the quarterfinals.

Scott notched his first career win at the ACC Championship, and the Pack’s first win of the day. Scott used a third period ride out (1:34 RT total) for a 3-2 win at 149 pounds.

Reenan also advanced to the semifinals, as his first period takedown led to a 3-2 win.

Trombley fell to #10 Hayes of UVA on a third period takedown at 133 pounds, 4-1, in a battle of top-11 wrestlers. Thomas Bullard also fell on a third period takedown, 6-5 to #10 Monday of UNC at 165 pounds in a battle of top-17 wrestlers.

Up Next

The Wolfpack will await the NCAA Selection Show, then head to St. Louis for the 2021 NCAA Championships March 18-20.

Tags: wrestling
Discussion from...

RELEASE: Three-Peat For NC State Wrestling

6,082 Views | 22 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Wolfer79
Packamylase
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9:16a, 3/1/21
Just came to here to check this. Good to hear!
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Bigwuf
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9:37a, 3/1/21
Terrific performance and accomplishment!
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BP Cox
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9:43a, 3/1/21
Staff
NC State is a wrasslin school
IPS Photojournalist
@BPCox_
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eccdogg
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9:49a, 3/1/21
Guys really stepped up in the finals. Probably would have won anyway because we had a big lead but winning 5/6 in the finals was huge with 3/5 coming as OT wins. Really showed mental and physical toughness.
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Danny Teal
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9:54a, 3/1/21
GuerrillaPack
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9:54a, 3/1/21
Wrestling is already big at NC State in terms of the level of success, but I think it could also potentially be big as far as fan following and consideration as one of the "major" sports. I'd say that right now it's around 4th biggest in terms of fan support, ahead of baseball and just behind women's basketball. With the recent success, it's really picking up steam in this department. They had a crowd of ~4,500 at the unc dual in Reynolds last year.
"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:19
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Danny Teal
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9:56a, 3/1/21
Wrestlers = STUDS
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GuerrillaPack
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10:05a, 3/1/21
"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:19
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Packamylase
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In reply to Danny Teal • 10:19a, 3/1/21
Danny Teal said:
Wrestlers = STUDS


= BALLERS
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RedWhite05
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1:14p, 3/1/21
Great performance by the team. I can't wait for the NCAA tournament in a few weeks. We are in the hunt to bring home another trophy (top four finish).

For those that don't follow wrestling ACC teams have only brought home two trophy's in the history of the conference. One by NC State and one by Virginia Tech.

Coach Pop and staff are doing an excellent job with the program.
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SportManagementEngineer
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2:56p, 3/1/21
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.
Twitter: @JJwith2Jays
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Jtilley
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In reply to SportManagementEngineer • 3:24p, 3/1/21
SportManagementEngineer said:
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.
I think you could see Scott and Reenan get a wild card.

There are six wild card spots at 149 with currently three ranked wrestles in the coaches poll needing one and Scott is one of them.

Same with Reenan at 197 where there are 7 wild card spots and currently four ranked wrestles.

Now that could change if something crazy happens this weekend at the Big 10 and Big 12 tournaments.

I wouldn't be surprised either way but right now both have a decent shot.
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SportManagementEngineer
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In reply to Jtilley • 3:29p, 3/1/21
Jtilley said:
SportManagementEngineer said:
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.
I think you could see Scott and Reenan get a wild card.

There are six wild card spots at 149 with currently three ranked wrestles in the coaches poll needing one and Scott is one of them.

Same with Reenan at 197 where there are 7 wild card spots and currently four ranked wrestles.

Now that could change if something crazy happens this weekend at the Big 10 and Big 12 tournaments.

I wouldn't be surprised either way but right now both have a decent shot.
I don't really see Scott as deserving (which is why I left him off). Hard to really know what they'll do with this season, he likely would have racked up a bunch on non-conference wins.
Twitter: @JJwith2Jays
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Jtilley
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In reply to SportManagementEngineer • 3:44p, 3/1/21
SportManagementEngineer said:
Jtilley said:
SportManagementEngineer said:
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.
I think you could see Scott and Reenan get a wild card.

There are six wild card spots at 149 with currently three ranked wrestles in the coaches poll needing one and Scott is one of them.

Same with Reenan at 197 where there are 7 wild card spots and currently four ranked wrestles.

Now that could change if something crazy happens this weekend at the Big 10 and Big 12 tournaments.

I wouldn't be surprised either way but right now both have a decent shot.
I don't really see Scott as deserving (which is why I left him off). Hard to really know what they'll do with this season, he likely would have racked up a bunch on non-conference wins.
He's 6-6 with three of those loses to top 12 guys and two of the other three to Milner from App (Started season top 15 and is 13-1) and Finesilver from Duke who he split with. He might not get in but I think he has a good shot.

I am honestly more worried about Reenan.
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GuerrillaPack
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In reply to SportManagementEngineer • 3:46p, 3/1/21
SportManagementEngineer said:
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.


No doubt that winning 5/6 in the finals was an amazing performance. But the margin of victory over VT is deceptive due to Lewis defaulting. I'm still unclear as to how many total points you get as a champ at a weight class (14?)..but if he wrestles and wins, our 24 point margin of victory goes down to around 10, and if Trent and one or two of our other guys didn't win in the final, it could have been a close race for 1st.

That said, we do look positioned to do well at NCAAs if our guys perform like they did yesterday and having 3/4 guys who have a shot at finishing in the top 2/3 in their class.
"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:19
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Jtilley
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In reply to GuerrillaPack • 3:58p, 3/1/21
GuerrillaPack said:
SportManagementEngineer said:
Said this in the tournament thread, but yesterday went about as well as possible for State. We could've gone 0-6 in the finals and still won. This was domination. We got 8 automatic bids to NCAAs, and we'll wait to see if we get one at 197 (unlikely but not impossible).

If the guys are as locked in at NCAAs as they were yesterday, a top 4 finish is not just possible, but probable. Calling my shot here, I think Camacho finally beats Latona at NCAAs. He was the better wrestler in the finals, just needed a few more seconds.


No doubt that winning 5/6 in the finals was an amazing performance. But the margin of victory over VT is deceptive due to Lewis defaulting. I'm still unclear as to how many total points you get as a champ at a weight class (14?)..but if he wrestles and wins, our 24 point margin of victory goes down to around 10, and if Trent and one or two of our other guys didn't win in the final, it could have been a close race for 1st.
It still wouldn't have mattered. For perspective, Hayden scored 14.5 team points and there is no way Lewis would not have put up that much. He probably puts up around 12-13 if he wins the whole thing but Wentzel was handing it to him in their last match before he Inj Def out.

You could also say that Camacho could have won as well.
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FourOaksWolf
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7:48p, 3/1/21
Give Coach Pop tenure!
CALS Alumni
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Wolfer79
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6:28p, 3/2/21
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grandpack1
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3:42p, 3/3/21
Why in the H---- would anyone be dumb enough to speculate how close we would have been if such and such did not win? Heck if we lost every first round match, we would not have scored a single point. Why would anyone do that. That is the worst post I have seen this year. And it isnt even close.
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SportManagementEngineer
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In reply to grandpack1 • 4:28p, 3/3/21
grandpack1 said:
Why in the H---- would anyone be dumb enough to speculate how close we would have been if such and such did not win? Heck if we lost every first round match, we would not have scored a single point. Why would anyone do that. That is the worst post I have seen this year. And it isnt even close.
LOL
Twitter: @JJwith2Jays
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GuerrillaPack
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In reply to grandpack1 • 4:34p, 3/3/21
grandpack1 said:
Why in the H---- would anyone be dumb enough to speculate how close we would have been if such and such did not win? Heck if we lost every first round match, we would not have scored a single point. Why would anyone do that. That is the worst post I have seen this year. And it isnt even close.


"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:19
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Wolfer79
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10:45a, 3/7/21
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