North Carolina State University Athletics
@PackWrestle Season Preview: Middle Weights - 149, 157, 165
10/30/2015 8:30:00 AM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. - With the start of NC State's 2015-16 season 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. We started with a preview of the lower weights earlier this week. Today we look at the middle weights - 149, 157, and 165 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 middle weights:
"Our middleweights are strong as both Tommy Gantt (157 pounds) and Max Rohskopf (165 pounds) are ranked to be All-Americans already. Both bring a lot of intensity to our program. We feel like we have a lot of experience at these weights, as we project all three to have prior experience in big dual meets. The fans will get a lot of excitement watching them wrestle as they each have a unique style that scores a lot of points. At 149, it will by far be the most interesting weight this year as we have a lot of guys who have thee ability to compete with the top guys in the country. That will be a spot where whoever is the most determined will find a way into our lineup."
149 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-So. Beau Donahue, So. Sam Melikian, R-So. Rodney Shepard, R-So. Jake DeAngelo, R-Jr. Cohl Fulk, R-Fr. Chandler Pyke
If the NC State coaching staff has some tough decisions choosing a starter at both 125 and 133 pounds, the decision at 149 pounds looms even tougher. Six NC State wrestlers were mentioned to have the ability to be the everyday starter, with a pair already having seen actions in duals against nationally ranked foes.
Donahue and Melikian alternated as the Pack's starter at 149 pounds at the end of last season, as they combined to start the final 11 duals of the year. Donahue produced some big wins last year in duals vs. Kent State (4-2) and Oklahoma State (9-7 SV-1), and finished with a record of 17-9. This year, he has a preseason ranking of No. 33 according to The Wrestling Report. Melikian scored a 7-5 (SV-1) road win in the dual win at Oklahoma and was 10-9 wrestling at 149 pounds.
Shepard split time between 149 and 157 pounds last season, starting four duals for the Pack. DeAngelo showed a lot of improvement this off-season according to the coaches, and placed at the UWW Junior Nationals. Fulk is a veteran with a lot of experience while with the Pack, and Pyke is coming off his redshirt year where he also placed at UWW Junior Nationals.
Popolizio on 149:
"This is a weight where we need someone to emerge this season and have a breakthrough. We need one of them to establish himself as a consistent starter. I see this weight as up for grabs, and six guys have the potential to establish himself as the full-time starter and as one of the top guys in the country. I am looking forward to see how this weight class plays out this year and who establishes himself."
157 Pounds
Projected starter: R-Sr. #8 Tommy Gantt
Also expected to see action: R-So. Chad Pyke
Expected to redshirt: Jr. Brian Hamann
After redshirting last season, Gantt returns to the Pack's lineup for his final season. Last time he wore the State singlet, he was one win away from earning All-American honors at the 2014 NCAA Championships. He competed in four open tournaments last year, bringing home top honors at four, and placing third at the Southern Scuffle gaining three wins over ranked foes - #7, #10 and #17. In the preseason rankings, Gantt is ranked 9-11, and the coaches expect him to compete for a National Title.
Pyke gained valuable experience last season, as he was the Pack's starter at 157 pounds. He finished with a record of 13-17, including 7-11 in duals, and brought home a 11-3 major decision over the No. 10 wrestler at Missouri. Pyke will be the first Wolfpack wrestler in action this year, as he competes in the NWCA All Star Classic as a 'Local Feature' on Nov. 1 in Atlanta.
Popolizio on 157:
"This is another weight where we have really good depth and experience. Tommy Gantt has put himself in a position to compete for a National Title this year due to his great work ethic and attitude. He has the mentality you need to accomplish his goal of becoming a national champion. Chad Pyke has improved tremendously from last year and he gained valuable experience as our starter last year at 157. Brian Hamann is coming up a weight, and our plan is to redshirt him to let him adjust to the new weight."
165 Pounds
Projected Starter: Jr. #10 Max Rohskopf
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Lee Davis
At 165 pounds, returning NCAA Qualifier Max Rohskopf leads the way. In his first season as a starter for the Pack, Rohskopf finished with a record of 25-16, 23-16 at 165, and went 14-8 in duals in earning his NCAA at-large bid. He dad a stretch during the season of winning 18 of 21 matches, and knocked off the #16 seed in the first round at NCAAs. In the preseason rankings, Rohskopf ranks from 8-12 in all the polls.
Lee Davis is a utility guy for the Pack, a veteran leader that has seen action at multiple weights during his Pack career. He wrestled at 165 and 174 pounds last year, wrestling in four duals and four open tournaments. He will be joined on the 2015-16 squad by younger brother Roderick (184 pounds).
Popolizio on 165:
"Since the season ended last year, Max Rohskopf has worked relentlessly to improve on some technical issues, and this will make a huge impact on his success this year. Max has all the right tools to put himself on the podium at the NCAA Championships this year, he is an exciting wrestler to watch. Lee Davis was selected captain this year due to his leadership skills, outstanding attitude, and the way he represents NC State Wrestling. He will be contributing to our team this year."
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 middle weights:
"Our middleweights are strong as both Tommy Gantt (157 pounds) and Max Rohskopf (165 pounds) are ranked to be All-Americans already. Both bring a lot of intensity to our program. We feel like we have a lot of experience at these weights, as we project all three to have prior experience in big dual meets. The fans will get a lot of excitement watching them wrestle as they each have a unique style that scores a lot of points. At 149, it will by far be the most interesting weight this year as we have a lot of guys who have thee ability to compete with the top guys in the country. That will be a spot where whoever is the most determined will find a way into our lineup."
149 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: R-So. Beau Donahue, So. Sam Melikian, R-So. Rodney Shepard, R-So. Jake DeAngelo, R-Jr. Cohl Fulk, R-Fr. Chandler Pyke
If the NC State coaching staff has some tough decisions choosing a starter at both 125 and 133 pounds, the decision at 149 pounds looms even tougher. Six NC State wrestlers were mentioned to have the ability to be the everyday starter, with a pair already having seen actions in duals against nationally ranked foes.
Donahue and Melikian alternated as the Pack's starter at 149 pounds at the end of last season, as they combined to start the final 11 duals of the year. Donahue produced some big wins last year in duals vs. Kent State (4-2) and Oklahoma State (9-7 SV-1), and finished with a record of 17-9. This year, he has a preseason ranking of No. 33 according to The Wrestling Report. Melikian scored a 7-5 (SV-1) road win in the dual win at Oklahoma and was 10-9 wrestling at 149 pounds.
Shepard split time between 149 and 157 pounds last season, starting four duals for the Pack. DeAngelo showed a lot of improvement this off-season according to the coaches, and placed at the UWW Junior Nationals. Fulk is a veteran with a lot of experience while with the Pack, and Pyke is coming off his redshirt year where he also placed at UWW Junior Nationals.
Popolizio on 149:
"This is a weight where we need someone to emerge this season and have a breakthrough. We need one of them to establish himself as a consistent starter. I see this weight as up for grabs, and six guys have the potential to establish himself as the full-time starter and as one of the top guys in the country. I am looking forward to see how this weight class plays out this year and who establishes himself."
157 Pounds
Projected starter: R-Sr. #8 Tommy Gantt
Also expected to see action: R-So. Chad Pyke
Expected to redshirt: Jr. Brian Hamann
After redshirting last season, Gantt returns to the Pack's lineup for his final season. Last time he wore the State singlet, he was one win away from earning All-American honors at the 2014 NCAA Championships. He competed in four open tournaments last year, bringing home top honors at four, and placing third at the Southern Scuffle gaining three wins over ranked foes - #7, #10 and #17. In the preseason rankings, Gantt is ranked 9-11, and the coaches expect him to compete for a National Title.
Pyke gained valuable experience last season, as he was the Pack's starter at 157 pounds. He finished with a record of 13-17, including 7-11 in duals, and brought home a 11-3 major decision over the No. 10 wrestler at Missouri. Pyke will be the first Wolfpack wrestler in action this year, as he competes in the NWCA All Star Classic as a 'Local Feature' on Nov. 1 in Atlanta.
Popolizio on 157:
"This is another weight where we have really good depth and experience. Tommy Gantt has put himself in a position to compete for a National Title this year due to his great work ethic and attitude. He has the mentality you need to accomplish his goal of becoming a national champion. Chad Pyke has improved tremendously from last year and he gained valuable experience as our starter last year at 157. Brian Hamann is coming up a weight, and our plan is to redshirt him to let him adjust to the new weight."
165 Pounds
Projected Starter: Jr. #10 Max Rohskopf
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Lee Davis
At 165 pounds, returning NCAA Qualifier Max Rohskopf leads the way. In his first season as a starter for the Pack, Rohskopf finished with a record of 25-16, 23-16 at 165, and went 14-8 in duals in earning his NCAA at-large bid. He dad a stretch during the season of winning 18 of 21 matches, and knocked off the #16 seed in the first round at NCAAs. In the preseason rankings, Rohskopf ranks from 8-12 in all the polls.
Lee Davis is a utility guy for the Pack, a veteran leader that has seen action at multiple weights during his Pack career. He wrestled at 165 and 174 pounds last year, wrestling in four duals and four open tournaments. He will be joined on the 2015-16 squad by younger brother Roderick (184 pounds).
Popolizio on 165:
"Since the season ended last year, Max Rohskopf has worked relentlessly to improve on some technical issues, and this will make a huge impact on his success this year. Max has all the right tools to put himself on the podium at the NCAA Championships this year, he is an exciting wrestler to watch. Lee Davis was selected captain this year due to his leadership skills, outstanding attitude, and the way he represents NC State Wrestling. He will be contributing to our team this year."
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