The 2018 ACC Champion at 125 pounds, Fausz enters his final season as a three-time NCAA Qualifier and three-time All-ACC selection. He was one win from All-American honors in 2017, and was the No. 5 seed entering the NCAAs last year but suffered an injury and went 1-2. Overall last season, he went 15-4 only seeing action in four duals (3-1). This offseason, Fausz earned All-American honors at the U23 World Team Trials with a fourth place finish at 61 kg and will represent the U.S. at the U23 World Championships in November in Romania.
DEPTH
Jr. Tommy Cox (Deer Park, N.Y.)
Pack’s starter in 13 of the 17 duals at 125 pounds last season. Went 16-7 on the season, 8-5 in duals, 10-3 in bonus point bouts. Placed second at the National Collegiate Open (3-1) and third in the Wolfpack Open (3-1). This offseason, went 2-2 at 57 kg at the U23 World Team Trials.
R-Fr. Zurich Storm (New Oxford, Pa.)
Redshirted last season. Saw action in five open tournaments at 125 pounds, going 16-6 on the year with nine wins were for bonus points. Placed second in three tournaments; Hokie Open, Pembroke Classic, and Wilkes Open. In high school, was a four-time sectional winner and top-three regional all four years with a career record of 127-20.
R-So. Charlie Lenox (Erie, Pa.)
Redshirted last season. Went 19-10 in seven open tournaments at 125 pounds, with seven bonus point wins, including four by fall. Won the Pembroke Open, going a perfect 4-0 and was third at the Hokie Open and fourth at the National Collegiate Open.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Jakob Camacho (Danbury, Conn.)
Ranked the #19 overall recruit by InterMat, also #11 at 126 pounds and #23 overall by FloWrestling. Was the 2018 FloNationals champion, after placing second in 2017. Also 2017 Super 32 national champion and Junior National Freestyle All-American. Missed most of senior season due to injury, but was a three-time Connecticut State Open champion. Attended the same high school as three-time former NC State All-American Kevin Jack.
After one of the most memorable NCAA Championship runs, in just his first season of action, Wilson is the starter at 133 pounds. Started the NCAAs unseeded, he finished in third place and garnered All-American honors. Wilson upset three top-five seeds at the NCAAs and reached the semifinals before falling in OT to the eventual national champion. He went 5-1 during his run, and was 24-2 in takedowns. He went 27-10 overall on the season (leading the team in wins), 10-4 in duals and 14-2 in bonus point matches. In the offseason, started the U23 World Team Trials with a 2-0 mark at 61 kg, before having to injury default.
DEPTH
R-So. Kellen Devlin (Amherst, N.Y.)
Went 5-4 last season at 133 pounds, all in tournament action. Placed second at the National Collegiate Open with a 3-1 record.
R-Fr. John Devine (East Greenbush, N.Y.)
Redshirted last season. Saw action in seven open tournaments at 133 pounds and went a combined 13-13. Placed second at the Newberry Open, going 3-1. Finished his high school career with over 200 wins.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Jarrett Trombley (Owosso, Mich.)
Ranked the #52 overall recruit, and No. 7 at 132 pounds, by InterMat. A four-time state champion, finished with a career record of 194-1. His only loss came as a freshman by one point, and he is the 23rd wrestler in Michigan history to win four state titles. Went a perfect 59-0 in capturing the Division 3 state title at 130 pounds as a senior, set a national record for single season takedowns with over 550.
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The battle for the spot at 141 is between R-Sr. Jamal Morris, R-Sr. Jamel Morris and R-Fr. A.J. Leitten.
Jamal Morris: A two-time NCAA Qualifier at 133 pounds (2016 and 2017), and also All-ACC in 2017. Moved up from 133 pounds to 149 pounds last season. Went 20-6 on the season, 2-1 in duals. Also 8-3 in bonus point matches. Won the Wolfpack Open with a perfect 5-0 mark and placed second at the Edinboro Open, going 4-1.
Jamel Morris: Went 23-5 last season, including 1-2 in duals mainly at 133 pounds. Finished fifth nationally with 10 tech falls and was 14-3 overall in bonus point matches. In the dual at Pitt, bumped up to 141 pounds and scored a 12-8 win over #18 Zanetta. Placed fifth at the Southern Scuffle and third at Reno TOC, in addition won the Wolfpack Open, National Collegiate Open, and the Appalachian State Open.
Leitten: Redshirted last season. Went 16-6 in five open tournaments at 149 pounds and had nine bonus point wins. Took top honors at the Newberry Open, going 4-0 with a fall and three tech falls (combined 50-2) and placed third at both the National Collegiate Open (4-1) and the Appalachian State Open (4-1). In high school, won three state titles and won the last 110 matches of his career, and went 174-6 overall.
DEPTH
R-Jr. Will Clark (Cary, N.C.)
Wrestled at both 133 and 141 pounds last season, going a combined 10-10: 5-4 at 133 and 5-6 at 141. Went 1-1 in duals, with a pin over UNC Pembroke. Placed sixth in the Wolfpack Open. This offseason, went 2-2 at 65 kg at the U23 World Team Trials.
NEWCOMERS
Fr. Matt Fields (Brunswick, Ohio)
Could see action at both 141 and 149 pounds. As a senior, went 41-5 and placed seventh at the state championships at 132 pounds. Division I state champion as a junior at 126 pounds, allowed just one point in tournament, with a record of 38-6.
Fr. Jarred Papcsy (Bethlehem, Pa.)
Finished his prep career with a 108-34 record. Went 26-8 as a senior, but missed the state tournament due to injury. Was fourth at the 3A PA state championships as a junior. Was a 2017 Fargo Greco All-American with a sixth place finish.
Fr. Alex Urquiza (Miami, Fla.)
Florida 3A state champion at 138 pounds as a senior, going 56-2 on the season. Placed third at 132 pounds as a junior with a record of 59-3.
Oliver transferred to NC State for his final collegiate season from Central Michigan back in May. A 2016 All-American his freshman season, he reached the Round of 12 each of the past two years. Last season, he posted a 28-7 record and entered the NCAAs as the No. 6 seed. He went a perfect 6-0 and took top honors at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and was second at the Midlands Championships. Was the No. 9 seed at the NCAAs as both a sophomore (32-9) and a freshman (32-7). Also earned all-MAC honors in 2016.
NEWCOMERS
Fr. Matt Grippi (Bedford Hills, N.Y.)
A three-time New York state finalist who finished as his school’s all-time wins leader with over 240 career victories. Was runner-up at state championships as a senior at 152 pounds. Placed fifth at 2018 FloNationals and also earned All-American honors at 2016 FloNationals.
Fr. Josiah Rider (Grand Junction, Colo.)
Ranked the #56 overall recruit and #14 at 152 pounds by FloWrestling. Also #55 overall and #11 at 152 pounds by InterMat. A three-time state champion, he finished his prep career with a 159-4 record. Placed first at 152 pounds with a prefect record as a senior at 5A after going a combined 75-2 as a junior (145) and sophomore (152) in also winning state titles. Named ALL-USA Wrestling: third-team as a junior. Was a Cadet National All-American and Super 32 Runner-Up and Ironman Runner-Up in 2016.
Hidlay was a NCAA Finalist and 2018 All-American at 157 pounds in his first season of action last year. Went 26-1 on the season, including a perfect 15-0 in duals and 5-0 in ACC action. Was a perfect 7-0 versus ranked opponents in the regular season, with three top-10 wins and six wins over previous All-Americans. Entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 1 seed, NC State’s sixth all-time and went into the NCAAs the only undefeated freshmen nationally (both redshirt and true) in all weight classes. Was the 2018 ACC Champion, and named ACC Wrestler of the Week a league-best three times.
This offseason, won Gold at the 2018 U23 World Team Trials at 70 kg, and advanced to the World Championships in Romania in November. In the final match, was down 3-1 late, but scored the winning takedown with only one second left. In his first-ever senior-level event, placed second at 70 kg at the 2018 U.S. Open.
DEPTH
R-Sr. Sam Melikian (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.)
Wrestled in four different weight classes last season, including four different weight classes in duals. Went a combined 11-11: 0-4 at 149, 10-6 at 157, 1-0 at 165, and 0-1 at 174. Switched into the lineup after weigh-ins, and scored a 10-4 win over North Carolina at 165 pounds to start the ACC dual.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Alex Faison (Whispering Springs, N.C.)
Could see action at both 157 and 165 pounds. Only started wrestling once he got to high school. Placed fourth as a senior at the NC 3A state championships at 160 pounds. As a junior, won a 3A state title at 152 pounds and went 28-6.
Thomas Bullard redshirted last season after being an NCAA Qualifier as a freshman in 2017 at 157 pounds. Saw action in three open tournaments last year, all at 165 pounds, and went 12-3 with six bonus point wins. Placed second at both the National Collegiate Open and the Appalachian State Open. As a freshman in 2017, was pulled out of redshirt during the season and went 21-12 on the season, including 8-4 in duals, and earned an NCAA at-large bid.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Tyler Barnes (Rock City Falls, N.Y.)
Could see action at both 165 and 174 pounds. Ranked the #81 overall recruit and #14 at 170 pounds by FloWrestling. Also ranked #84 overall and #11 at 182 pounds by InterMat. Finished his prep career with over 220 wins. Was a state finalist as a senior at Division I 170 pounds, going 46-1 on the season. State champion as a junior with perfect 41-0 mark. Was a 2018 FloNationals champion. In 2017, was a NHSCA Junior National Champion and FloNationals All-American, placing fifth
Daniel Bullard was a 2018 NCAA Qualifier at 174 pounds in his first year of action last year. He went 17-11 on the season, including 9-7 in duals. Placed third at the ACC Championships to earn an automatic NCAA bid, and went 1-2 at the NCAAs with both losses being in OT to seeded wrestlers. Finished the season ranked #20 in FloWrestling’s final rankings, and was named to TheOpenMat’s All-Freshman second-team and the #3 rookie at 174 pounds by Amateur Wrestling News.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Trent Hidlay (Lewistown, Pa.)
Ranked the #18 overall recruit and #3 at 170 pounds by FloWrestling, and #22 overall and #2 InterMat. A 2017-18 ASICS All-America second-team selection at 170 pounds, he finished his prep career 154-14, and won the final 81 high school matches of his career, not conceding a single takedown. State champion as both a senior (43-0) and junior (38-0). Was the 2017 FloNationals Champion and a two-time Powerade Champion in 2016 and 2017. Younger brother of Hayden Hidlay, a 2017 NCAA Finalist as a redshirt-freshman with the Wolfpack.
Reenan redshirted last season after being an NCAA Qualifier as a freshman in 2017 at 174 pounds. Saw action in six open tournaments at 184 pounds last year, going 21-4. Placed fourth at the Southern Scuffle and won three other tournaments. As a freshman, went 20-13 on the season and earned an at-large NCAA bid. This offseason, wrestled at 86 kg against 2018 World Champion David Taylor at Final X after winning the U.S. World Team Trials. Also placed third at two senior-level events, the 2018 Bill Farrell International, and the 2018 U.S. Open.
DEPTH
R-Jr. Roderick Davis (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Last year, saw action at the National Collegiate Open at 184 pounds and went 1-2.
NEWCOMER
Fr. Jake Cook (Ballston Spa, N.Y.)
Placed fourth at the N.Y. state championships at 182 pounds as a senior after being a quarterfinalist as a junior. Also a two-time UWW Cadet National Freestyle All-American. High school teammate of fellow freshman Tyler Barnes and younger brother of former NC State wrestler Bill Cook (2013-15).
After competing at heavyweight, McDonald will move back to 197 pounds where he competed his first two seasons. Split time as the Wolfpack’s starter at heavyweight last season, going 20-4 on the season, including 9-2 in duals, 1-1 in ACC action. He was the Wolfpack's starter at 197 pounds as a junior in 2017 and was an NCAA Qualifier. This offseason, earned All-American honors at the U23 World Team Trials with a fourth place finish at 97 kg.
NEWCOMERS
Fr. Tyrie Houghton (Weddington, N.C.)
Finished his prep career with a record of 151-40. Was the North Carolina 3A state champion at 195 pounds as a senior, going undefeated and winning the title with a pin. Also won state titles in freestyle and greco-roman in 2018 to become a Triple Crown winner. Took third at the 2018 FloNationals and was a 2018 NHSCA All-American with a fifth place finish
Fr. Tony Wuest (Smyrna, Del.)
Ranked No. 19 by InterMat at 195 pounds. A three-time state champion, missed the honor as a sophomore after an injury. Won back-to-back state titles at 195 pounds as a junior and senior. Finished his high school career 129-18 with 108 of those wins were by pin, with 93 coming in the first period. Two-time NHSCA All-American and finished seventh at the 2018 FloNationals.
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The battle for the spot at heavyweight is between R-Jr. Tyler Johnson and true-freshmen Colin Lawler and Deonte Wilson.
Johnson: Went 9-8 last season at 197 pounds, with five of his nine wins coming via pin. Also 3-1 in duals, including in ACC action at Pittsburgh. Placed fourth in the Wolfpack Open, going 2-1.
Lawler: Ranked #20 incoming heavyweight by FloWrestling. Was a four-time Texas Prep state champion (heavyweight as a senior, 220 pounds previously). Went a perfect 36-0 as a senior, all wins came by pin. Was a 2018 National Prep Champion and also 2017 National Prep All-American, placing fourth and 2017 Fargo Junior Greco All-American.
Wilson: Ranked #12 incoming heavyweight by InterMat. Finished his prep career with a record of 166-23. Was a N.Y. state champion at 285 pounds as a senior going 31-2 as a senior, and his only two losses were forfeits. Finished second at state championships as a junior. Placed second at the 2018 NHSCA senior nationals.
Season tickets are currently on sale for the upcoming season. Buy them today!
Your first chance to see @PackWrestle in action will be at the annual Open Practice/Wrestle-Offs. It will be held on Sat., Nov. 3 prior to the NC State-Florida State football game at the Close-King Indoor Practice Facility. Admission is free, and action is set to begin at 12:45 p.m.
