After dominating its nonconference schedule, winning every match by double digits, the No. 5 NC State wrestling team is set to begin ACC play Friday, Jan. 24 when it hosts Virginia.
The Wolfpack (10-0) is coming off blowout wins last weekend on the road of Drexel and Hofstra, with scores of 44-3 and 37-2, respectively.
On the other hand, Virginia (7-2) is coming off dominant wins as well, defeating UT-Chattanooga 29-9, and Virginia Military Institute 44-3.
NC State has relied on the strong depth on its roster for its matches thus far, but with ACC play starting, these are the guys Wolfpack fans can look to lead the way, including two pairs of brothers.
It all starts with the Hidlay brothers for the Wolfpack, who have a combined three losses between each other this season. Redshirt junior Hayden Hidlay is the No. 2 ranked player in the 157-pound weight class, with a record of 21-1, while his brother, redshirt freshman Trent Hidlay, sits at No. 3 in the 184-pound weight class, with a record of 18-2.
Redshirt juniors and twin brothers Thomas and Daniel Bullard have also been quite the dominant duo for NC State. Thomas is ranked No. 12 at 165 pounds, with a record of 18-5, while Daniel, who is one weight class above Thomas at 174, is No. 16 in the country with a record of 20-4.
Junior Nick Reenan, despite having a record of just 5-3, is ranked No. 16 at 197. Reenan is just returning from injury (ACL), so don’t be surprised if the former No. 2-ranked wrestler at 184 finds his rhythm soon in the new weight class. Lastly, redshirt junior Tariq Wilson is another name to look out for Friday night. The Ohio native is No. 13 at 141, and comes in with a record of 19-4.
The Cavaliers have three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight classes, led by Jack Mueller at No. 2 for the 125-pound weight class, who is undefeated at 8-0 this season. Next, Louie Hayes is No. 19 in the 133-pound weight class, with a record of 16-7. Lastly the Cavaliers have Jay Aiello at 197, who is ranked No. 9, with a record of 20-4. Ranking wise, his match against Reenan will be the most anticipated match of the night.
Both of the Cavaliers’ losses this season have come against ranked competition, so Virginia will be on the hunt to spoil a perfect season and pick up a huge win Friday night at Reynolds Coliseum.
The match is set to start at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum, and will be streamed online via the ACC Network Extra. For those wanting to follow along with social media, follow @TechSports on Twitter for live updates.
