DURHAM, N.C. — Slowly suffocating Duke like a snake wrapped around its prey, there was never any doubt about what would happen when NC State faced the rival Blue Devils.
NC State handled Duke with no trouble, disposing of the Blue Devils with a 32-7 win and taking eight of 10 bouts in an impressive show of dominance.
“Before the match, Trent Hidlay, he gave us a speech,” said No. 25 sixth-year Zach Redding. “Going into it, we knew we were kind of a little bit better than the team we were facing tonight. So just like finding a way to make it personal … so you can go out there and dominate the way you usually do.”
The Wolfpack (14-4, 4-1 ACC) concluded its ACC season with a strong showing that marked NC State’s 11th straight win over the Blue Devils (6-12, 0-5 ACC). The Pack’s consistency over Duke is impressive, never losing a dual meet in Durham under head coach Pat Popolizio.
“Just like every competition we just wanna go out there, we wanna perform as best we can,” said sixth year Don Cates. “That’s what we did today. It means the same to me all around, competition is competition. Put your best foot out there no matter who it is.”
Leaning on its most experienced wrestlers, the Wolfpack dominated throughout the night. In a match emblematic of the evening, Cates earned a gritty 7-2 victory in the 184 pound bout. Like a wolf patiently awaiting its prey, Cates remained steady for the first two periods before striking in the final period with a pair of impressive takedowns.
“I would want to be remembered as being relentless,” Cates said. “I think a lot of people coming into the season after two years of being off and taking some Ls at the beginning of the season or throughout the season in general, I think they would get really discouraged, but luckily I got a good team and people that keep me in a good head space and getting a bounceback tonight.”
For Cates, the win was especially rewarding. A Durham native wrestling in Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time, Cates represented the Bull City well with his showing on the mat.
“I think this was actually my first time wrestling at Duke,” Cates said. “Extra good that I don’t have a long drive home.”
Another veteran wrestler, Redding, earned the first points of the night for the Wolfpack. Securing an impressive 18-2 tech fall, Redding’s performance set the tone for the rest of the night, showing no mercy in the 133 pound bout. Even as an experienced wrestler, Redding is improving and learning with each match — tonight’s win showed the progress and improvement he is making.
“Until you actually go out, you really feel it, then you really learn,” Redding said. “Just taking every match that we wrestle and just going back to the drawing board and learning from each match, not only losses but also wins.”
In the heavyweight bout, No. 2 sixth year Isaac Trumble displayed impressive toughness. Despite taking a shot to the eye from No. 23 Connor Barket, Trumble continued to battle. Earning an 11-3 major decision, Trumble lived up to former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers’ famous words “Wolfpack ain’t for soft people” by performing at his best through adversity.
“We’re battling there everyday in the room, so stuff like that is honestly nothing,” Redding said. “We put so much time into this, so a little eye poke isn’t gonna stop Isaac from going out there and dominating that guy like he did.”
Elsewhere, the Pack won the 141, 149, 157, 165 and 197 pound bouts. While the Pack dropped the 125 and 174 pound bouts, NC State’s usual starters were not competing. With No. 5 redshirt sophomore Vince Robinson and No. 6 redshirt junior Matty Singleton not taking the mat, there should be no concern over the Pack’s two losses tonight.
Next up, NC State will conclude the regular season with a dual meet against Cornell. The match will be the Wolfpack’s senior night and is set for Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum. The matchup will be televised via ACC Network.
