@PackWrestle Season Preview: Lower weights 125, 133, 141
10/27/2015 9:33:00 AM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. - With the start of NC State's 2015-16 season less then two weeks away, GoPack.com will conduct a three-part series previewing the roster and who Wolfpack fans can expect to see out on the mat. Today we start with the lower weights - 125, 133, and 141 pounds.
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2015-16 squad next Thursday (Nov. 5), as the Pack will host its annual Wrestle-Offs in NC State's Brickyard this year starting at 3 p.m.
Head coach Pat Popolizio on the lower weights:
"All three weights will be young, as all our projected starters in these weights are either in their first or second year of eligibility. Our lightweights will be interesting this year, as outside of 141 pounds, we are unproven nationally at this point. I expect our lightweights to make a pretty big impact right away, they will have the opportunity to do that with our schedule. With Kevin (Jack) being a returning All-American, I think that gives our other lightweights a lot of confidence. The key to our lightweights having success is their willingness to constantly improve throughout the challenging schedule that lies ahead."
125 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-Fr. Sean Fausz and So. Jamel Morris
Also expected to see action: Fr. Michael May and Fr. McKinnon Bowen
The Pack's 125-pound competitors might be the least known wrestlers to Pack fans, and also might see the most changeover of the starters spot from one dual to the next throughout the season. Of the four wrestlers who figure to see action this year, they have all combined to wrestle in just one collegiate dual.
Morris was planning to redshirt last season, but was called into duty in the ACC dual versus North Carolina. He also competed in two open tournaments, and posted a 6-3 season record. Morris captured a state title in high school, and twice placed in the top-12 at FloNationals. Fausz redshirted his first season on campus, and competed in six open tournaments, wrestling at both 125 and 133 pounds. He went 15-7, 10-3 at 125 and 5-4 at 133. In high school, Fausz was the NHSCA Senior National runner-up at 132 pounds (a three-time NHSCA All-American overall), and was ranked as a top-100 recruit who finished 234-24 with 115 career pins.
Bowen and May are a pair of true-freshmen who the coaches say are both good on the mat and hungry to compete for early competition. May placed eighth at Super 32 at 120 pounds in 2014, and Bowen was a two-time state runner-up in high school.
Popolizio on 125:
"We are looking for either Sean Fausz or Jamel Morris to display the growth and development they have made since last season. This is a weight class that will see some different faces throughout the year, until someone separates himself from the group. We need someone to step-up at this weight as it will have a big impact on our dual meet success throughout the season. We're unproven at this weight as of right now, but feel we have a very competitive 125 pounder. (Michael) May and (McKinnon) Bowen will also both see action thorough the season, as both have had quality high school careers."
133 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-Fr. Jamal Morris and Fr. Will Clark
Also expected to see action: Jr. Marshall Brown
If you thought the names at 125 looked unfamiliar, the group at 133 pounds competing to become the starter does not have any collegiate experience outside of wrestling in open tournaments.
Morris - twin brother of Jamel - redshirted last season for the Pack and competed in four open tournaments. He posted a record of 12-7, and captured a fourth place finish in the Wolfpack Open. The NC State coaches have said Morris is coming off a great summer and made big jumps since he arrived on campus. Clark is a product from local Cary High School, where he was the NC state champion at 138 pounds as a senior, and captured first place at the 2014 Junior NHSCA Nationals at 132 pounds.
Popolizio on 133:
"This is a weight that we need someone to step-up. We have two guys that have a great deal of talent, and we look for one of these guys to really step up and solidify the starting spot. Jamal Morris has shown that he has made some major gains. Will Clark has a large local following that is excited to see him compete in a State singlet. Marshall Brown will help provide depth."
141 Pounds
Projected Starter: So. #4 Kevin Jack
Also expected to see action: Jr. Robbie Rizzolino
Expected to redshirt: Sr. Sam Speno
Familiarity returns for Pack fans at 141 pounds, manned by returning All-American sophomore Kevin Jack. He was one of the main stories at last year's NCAA Championships, going from unseeded to a fifth place finish at 141 pounds and he became the Pack's first freshman All-American since 1991. He finished the year with a 31-9 record, a new NC State record for most wins by a freshman, and was named the 2015 ACC Freshman of the Year. Jack starts 2015-16 ranked in the top-five in every major poll.
Junior college transfer Robbie Rizzolino has been added to the mix this season, as he was a two-time All-American at Clackamas Community College. The coaches feel he adds great depth, and called him a hard-nosed competitor.
Popolizio on 141:
"This is a weight with tremendous depth and experience. Having a returning All-American at this weight instills a lot of confidence. Kevin (Jack) has made some tremendous gains this summer after this breakthrough performance at NCAAs. He has focused in on winning a National Title as he knows and understands the work, attitude, and lifestyle to make this a reality. Robbie (Rizzolino), being a two-time Junior College All-American, shows that he has potential and ability to win at this level. Having the amount of depth we have here, we elected to redshirt Speno this year so he can put himself in position to compete for a national title in 2017. If needed, he will be a very valuable option with NCAA experience."
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2015-16 squad next Thursday (Nov. 5), as the Pack will host its annual Wrestle-Offs in NC State's Brickyard this year starting at 3 p.m.
Head coach Pat Popolizio on the lower weights:
"All three weights will be young, as all our projected starters in these weights are either in their first or second year of eligibility. Our lightweights will be interesting this year, as outside of 141 pounds, we are unproven nationally at this point. I expect our lightweights to make a pretty big impact right away, they will have the opportunity to do that with our schedule. With Kevin (Jack) being a returning All-American, I think that gives our other lightweights a lot of confidence. The key to our lightweights having success is their willingness to constantly improve throughout the challenging schedule that lies ahead."
125 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-Fr. Sean Fausz and So. Jamel Morris
Also expected to see action: Fr. Michael May and Fr. McKinnon Bowen
The Pack's 125-pound competitors might be the least known wrestlers to Pack fans, and also might see the most changeover of the starters spot from one dual to the next throughout the season. Of the four wrestlers who figure to see action this year, they have all combined to wrestle in just one collegiate dual.
Morris was planning to redshirt last season, but was called into duty in the ACC dual versus North Carolina. He also competed in two open tournaments, and posted a 6-3 season record. Morris captured a state title in high school, and twice placed in the top-12 at FloNationals. Fausz redshirted his first season on campus, and competed in six open tournaments, wrestling at both 125 and 133 pounds. He went 15-7, 10-3 at 125 and 5-4 at 133. In high school, Fausz was the NHSCA Senior National runner-up at 132 pounds (a three-time NHSCA All-American overall), and was ranked as a top-100 recruit who finished 234-24 with 115 career pins.
Bowen and May are a pair of true-freshmen who the coaches say are both good on the mat and hungry to compete for early competition. May placed eighth at Super 32 at 120 pounds in 2014, and Bowen was a two-time state runner-up in high school.
Popolizio on 125:
"We are looking for either Sean Fausz or Jamel Morris to display the growth and development they have made since last season. This is a weight class that will see some different faces throughout the year, until someone separates himself from the group. We need someone to step-up at this weight as it will have a big impact on our dual meet success throughout the season. We're unproven at this weight as of right now, but feel we have a very competitive 125 pounder. (Michael) May and (McKinnon) Bowen will also both see action thorough the season, as both have had quality high school careers."
133 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-Fr. Jamal Morris and Fr. Will Clark
Also expected to see action: Jr. Marshall Brown
If you thought the names at 125 looked unfamiliar, the group at 133 pounds competing to become the starter does not have any collegiate experience outside of wrestling in open tournaments.
Morris - twin brother of Jamel - redshirted last season for the Pack and competed in four open tournaments. He posted a record of 12-7, and captured a fourth place finish in the Wolfpack Open. The NC State coaches have said Morris is coming off a great summer and made big jumps since he arrived on campus. Clark is a product from local Cary High School, where he was the NC state champion at 138 pounds as a senior, and captured first place at the 2014 Junior NHSCA Nationals at 132 pounds.
Popolizio on 133:
"This is a weight that we need someone to step-up. We have two guys that have a great deal of talent, and we look for one of these guys to really step up and solidify the starting spot. Jamal Morris has shown that he has made some major gains. Will Clark has a large local following that is excited to see him compete in a State singlet. Marshall Brown will help provide depth."
141 Pounds
Projected Starter: So. #4 Kevin Jack
Also expected to see action: Jr. Robbie Rizzolino
Expected to redshirt: Sr. Sam Speno
Familiarity returns for Pack fans at 141 pounds, manned by returning All-American sophomore Kevin Jack. He was one of the main stories at last year's NCAA Championships, going from unseeded to a fifth place finish at 141 pounds and he became the Pack's first freshman All-American since 1991. He finished the year with a 31-9 record, a new NC State record for most wins by a freshman, and was named the 2015 ACC Freshman of the Year. Jack starts 2015-16 ranked in the top-five in every major poll.
Junior college transfer Robbie Rizzolino has been added to the mix this season, as he was a two-time All-American at Clackamas Community College. The coaches feel he adds great depth, and called him a hard-nosed competitor.
Popolizio on 141:
"This is a weight with tremendous depth and experience. Having a returning All-American at this weight instills a lot of confidence. Kevin (Jack) has made some tremendous gains this summer after this breakthrough performance at NCAAs. He has focused in on winning a National Title as he knows and understands the work, attitude, and lifestyle to make this a reality. Robbie (Rizzolino), being a two-time Junior College All-American, shows that he has potential and ability to win at this level. Having the amount of depth we have here, we elected to redshirt Speno this year so he can put himself in position to compete for a national title in 2017. If needed, he will be a very valuable option with NCAA experience."
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