You can run from it, you can hide from it, but you can never escape it — that is, NC State wrestling beating North Carolina.
“I’ve never been a big fan of them,” said No. 2 sixth year Isaac Trumble.
Trumble and the rest of the No. 8 Wolfpack (12-3, 3-0 ACC) embrace the annual tradition of beating No. 11 Carolina (8-2, 1-1 ACC). NC State wrestling delivered on that goal like clockwork, now winners of 13 straight over the Heels.
“Guys get up for this kind of match,” Popolizio said. “NC State’s got a lot of pride, our wrestling program’s got a lot of pride and our fans here have a lot of pride. So our guys represent, they know what’s at stake and they wanna show up and put on a show.
Taking seven of ten bouts, NC State wrestling put its foot down when it mattered most, winning the final four matches. Emerging with a 24-10 victory, the red-and-white maintained the natural order of things, drawing enthusiastic cheers in a sold-out Reynolds Coliseum.
“I’m grateful that they showed up, it makes a huge difference,” Trumble said. “Especially when they start chanting, it kinda builds momentum behind you, takes the weight off your shoulder. Those guys are going to love you, whether you win or lose.”
The Wolfpack brought everything together in one of the season’s best showings. While the Tar Heels entered confidently and visibly fired up, the Wolfpack maintained a steady composure, symbolic of the Wolfpack’s consistency over the years.
No. 15 Freshman Will Denny set the tone early for NC State. Pulling off a stunning victory over No. 10 Bryce Hepner in the 165-pound bout with a 10-2 major decision. Denny opened the match with relentless offense, quickly earning a takedown in the first period. The freshman sensation never looked back and stunned Hepner, much to the delight of a raucous Reynolds crowd.
“This week I realized how much we actually hate them,” Denny said. “Growing up, I’m from Chicago, so my dad and brother were basketball players, so they were UNC fans cause of Jordan, so I gave them a text at the beginning of the week, I was like ‘No more light blue.’”
The Pack and the Heels spent the first six matches trading blows, each taking three of the first six bouts. However, after a premature celebration from Carolina coaches and fans following No. 13 Jake Dailey’s major decision over sixth year Don Cates shifted the tide. An already rowdy crowd came fully alive, fueling NC State during the final four matches — all of which went NC State’s way.
No. 26 redshirt sophomore Patrick Brophy started the run with a pivotal 8-1 decision over No. 33 Robert Platt. After joining the Wolfpack as a midseason transfer from The Citadel, Brophy is already delivering for the Pack. Without an established star at the 197-pound slot, Brophy took another step towards shoring up the spot with an impressive win in a bout that turned the tide.
“I saw composure,” Popolizo said. “Everyone’s gotta remember that kid was at another school less than a month ago. So now you’re walking into a whole new team, whole new arena and you’ve got a guy that’s working his tail off.”
Trumble followed up Brophy’s performance by blanking No. 28 Nolan Neeves 8-0. The win capped an incredible run for Trumble against the Heels, showing how much Trumble’s grown on and off the mat. Now one of the faces of the program, it was only natural for Trumble to put on one final route against the Tar Heels.
“I think I’ve grown a lot,” Trumble said. “I’ve gotten married, my wife’s pregnant now, I’ve continued to rise with my wrestling career. It’s taken a long time to get here; six years is a long time. I’ve spent a quarter of my life here now that I’m 24… This is home to me now.”
With the tide rapidly turning in NC State’s favor, No. 5 redshirt sophomore Vince Robinson officially clinched the dual meet for the Pack. Like a shark smelling blood in the water, Robinson hounded No. 15 Kysen Terukina from the start. While he only posted one takedown, it was enough to seal the bout and emerge with a 4-2 decision.
“He was a team player this week and stepped up big for our team,” Popolizio said. “He was day to day if he could wrestle… That’s what you get out of a national champ.”
Despite early-season struggles, sixth year Zach Redding found his footing in the final bout of the evening. While the dual meet was already secured for the Wolfpack, Redding didn’t let up. Instead, he put on his best showing of the season and upset No. 18 Ethan Oakley with an 8-2 statement victory in the 133-pound bout.
“I think he wrestled really well,” Popolizio said. “He’s dangerous, and he’s really good at wrestling, and now it’s a lot more consistent with him. As we get to the end of the year and everything’s in check with health and weight, he’s gonna be good.”
Next up, the Wolfpack will host No. 7 Virginia Tech on Friday, Jan. 30. The Wolfpack and the Hokies are regularly competing for the top spot in the ACC, and the dual meet could very well determine the regular season ACC championship. The match is set for 7 p.m. and will be available on ACC Network.
