North Carolina State University Athletics
@PackWrestle Season Preview: Upper Weights 174, 184, 197, 285
11/2/2015 4:00:00 PM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. - With the start of NC State's 2015-16 season less than 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. Last week we previewed the lower and middle weights, and today we look at the upper weights - 174, 184, 197, and 285 pounds.
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2015-16 squad this Thursday afternoon, 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 upper weights:
"This is a great group of young men and a very strong part of our line-up. We have very high expectations with our upper-weights this year as all four guys right now are currently returning starters. We are excited about the weight change for both (Pete) Renda and (Nicky) Hall, as we think the new weight class with help both of them. Having a two-time national champion in our line-up will help elevate the competitive nature of our program as Nick (Gwiazdowski) has set he bar high and many of the guys now see what it takes to be the best in the country."
174 Pounds
Projected starter: So. Nicky Hall
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Lee Davis
Overcoming an early ankle injury that forced him to miss almost all of the first two months of his rookie season, Hall came back strong last year, as was the Pack's starter at 184 pounds. Hall went 10-8 on the season, including 7-4 in duals. In high school, he was the National Prep Champion at 182 pounds (two-time champion) and a top-100 recruit. He will now move down to 174 pounds, a move the coaches think first his style of wrestling better.
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.
Popolizio on 174:
"I am very excited to see Nicky Hall at his new weight class, it is a much more natural fit for him. His style of wrestling will help him tremendously at a lighter weight. I really like the focus he has put in this summer and the improvements he has made on the mat. I expect this to be a breakout year for Nicky."
184 Pounds
Projected starter: Jr. Pete Renda
Also expected to see action: Fr. Roderick Davis
Expected to redshirt: Jr. Michael Macchiavello
An NCAA Qualifier in each of his first two seasons with the Pack at 174 pounds, Renda will be making the switch up to 184 pounds for his junior season. Renda went 20-16 last year, 9-9 in duals, and picked up two wins at the NCAA Championships. He has a 47-27 career mark entering 2015-16.
Davis, the younger brother of redshirt-junior Lee Davis, won the Georgia state title at 195 pounds as a senior in high school.
Popolizio on 184:
"After the season ended last year, we made the decision as a staff to put Pete (Renda) at a more natural weight. His style of wrestling is a great fit for 184 pounds. Pete has focused a lot this summer on improving his power and agility and it will make a big impact on this years success. We see Pete as a guy that can go deep into the NCAA Tournament come March. Rod (Davis) will see time in the line-up and is working hard in the room. We project to redshirt Michael Macchiavello so he can continue to improve, he will be a valuable option if needed."
197 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: So. Michael Boykin and R-Fr. Malik McDonald
Expected to redshirt: Fr. Tyler Johnson
Boykin was the Pack's starter at 197 pounds, competing in every dual except for one. He posted a record of 18-12 overall, including 13-87 in duals. He was named ACC Wrestler of the Week after his win over the 19th-ranked wrestler in dual win vs. Pittsburgh, and had two wins over ranked opponents overall.
McDonald redshirted last season with the Pack, he saw action in two open tournaments at 184 pounds and three at 197 pounds, posting a record of 15-3 overall and claimed two titles. This past summer, he was an UWW Junior All-American, which followed a seventh place showing at 182 pounds at the 2014 NHSCA Senior Nationals.
Popolizio on 197:
"This is a weight that we feel that both guys are ready to break through. Malik (McDonald) has shown tremendous improvement this off season, and we expect him to be a contributing factor at this weight throughout the year. (Michael) Boykin had a very solid true freshman year and has learned and grown tremendously as a student-athlete. The sky is the limit for Boykin if he sets his mind to accomplish his goals. Both guys have the ability to compete with anyone in the country and we are excited to see who steps-up and earns the spot. With two high quality wrestlers, we look to redshirt (Tyler) Johnson this year so he can focus the year on improving. Johnson is a valuable option at this weight if needed.
285 Pounds
Projected starter: R-Sr. Nick Gwiazdowski
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Mike Kosoy
Gwiazdowski is looking to make history in his final campaign, as he is hoping to become a three-time NCAA Champion. Only 25 wrestlers in history have accomplished the feat, just two previous heavyweights. He enters the 2015-16 season with an NCAA-best 55 match winning streak dating back to Jan. 2, 2014.
Kosoy has seen a lot of action at heavyweight during his career at NC State. He went 19-7 last year, competing in four duals (3-1) and open tournaments. This summer he placed fourth and fifth at University Nationals in two different styles, including getting a win over the current sixth-ranked wrestler nationally according to FloWrestling.
Popolizio on 285:
"This is going to be a special weight class for us having a two-time national champion. Nick (Gwiazdowski's) leadership, experience, and confidence is truly priceless for our program. He has set his goals high to make history for NC State and is looking another NCAA title. To date, this has been Nick's best off season and preseason of training in the last five years; he remains extremely hungry and focused on accomplishing his goals. (Mike) Kosoy will definitely get a lot of mat time throughout the year as he has made tremendous gains as well. He plays a vital role in the success at this weight class."
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2015-16 squad this Thursday afternoon, 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 upper weights:
"This is a great group of young men and a very strong part of our line-up. We have very high expectations with our upper-weights this year as all four guys right now are currently returning starters. We are excited about the weight change for both (Pete) Renda and (Nicky) Hall, as we think the new weight class with help both of them. Having a two-time national champion in our line-up will help elevate the competitive nature of our program as Nick (Gwiazdowski) has set he bar high and many of the guys now see what it takes to be the best in the country."
174 Pounds
Projected starter: So. Nicky Hall
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Lee Davis
Overcoming an early ankle injury that forced him to miss almost all of the first two months of his rookie season, Hall came back strong last year, as was the Pack's starter at 184 pounds. Hall went 10-8 on the season, including 7-4 in duals. In high school, he was the National Prep Champion at 182 pounds (two-time champion) and a top-100 recruit. He will now move down to 174 pounds, a move the coaches think first his style of wrestling better.
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.
Popolizio on 174:
"I am very excited to see Nicky Hall at his new weight class, it is a much more natural fit for him. His style of wrestling will help him tremendously at a lighter weight. I really like the focus he has put in this summer and the improvements he has made on the mat. I expect this to be a breakout year for Nicky."
184 Pounds
Projected starter: Jr. Pete Renda
Also expected to see action: Fr. Roderick Davis
Expected to redshirt: Jr. Michael Macchiavello
An NCAA Qualifier in each of his first two seasons with the Pack at 174 pounds, Renda will be making the switch up to 184 pounds for his junior season. Renda went 20-16 last year, 9-9 in duals, and picked up two wins at the NCAA Championships. He has a 47-27 career mark entering 2015-16.
Davis, the younger brother of redshirt-junior Lee Davis, won the Georgia state title at 195 pounds as a senior in high school.
Popolizio on 184:
"After the season ended last year, we made the decision as a staff to put Pete (Renda) at a more natural weight. His style of wrestling is a great fit for 184 pounds. Pete has focused a lot this summer on improving his power and agility and it will make a big impact on this years success. We see Pete as a guy that can go deep into the NCAA Tournament come March. Rod (Davis) will see time in the line-up and is working hard in the room. We project to redshirt Michael Macchiavello so he can continue to improve, he will be a valuable option if needed."
197 Pounds
In contention to be the starter: So. Michael Boykin and R-Fr. Malik McDonald
Expected to redshirt: Fr. Tyler Johnson
Boykin was the Pack's starter at 197 pounds, competing in every dual except for one. He posted a record of 18-12 overall, including 13-87 in duals. He was named ACC Wrestler of the Week after his win over the 19th-ranked wrestler in dual win vs. Pittsburgh, and had two wins over ranked opponents overall.
McDonald redshirted last season with the Pack, he saw action in two open tournaments at 184 pounds and three at 197 pounds, posting a record of 15-3 overall and claimed two titles. This past summer, he was an UWW Junior All-American, which followed a seventh place showing at 182 pounds at the 2014 NHSCA Senior Nationals.
Popolizio on 197:
"This is a weight that we feel that both guys are ready to break through. Malik (McDonald) has shown tremendous improvement this off season, and we expect him to be a contributing factor at this weight throughout the year. (Michael) Boykin had a very solid true freshman year and has learned and grown tremendously as a student-athlete. The sky is the limit for Boykin if he sets his mind to accomplish his goals. Both guys have the ability to compete with anyone in the country and we are excited to see who steps-up and earns the spot. With two high quality wrestlers, we look to redshirt (Tyler) Johnson this year so he can focus the year on improving. Johnson is a valuable option at this weight if needed.
285 Pounds
Projected starter: R-Sr. Nick Gwiazdowski
Also expected to see action: R-Jr. Mike Kosoy
Gwiazdowski is looking to make history in his final campaign, as he is hoping to become a three-time NCAA Champion. Only 25 wrestlers in history have accomplished the feat, just two previous heavyweights. He enters the 2015-16 season with an NCAA-best 55 match winning streak dating back to Jan. 2, 2014.
Kosoy has seen a lot of action at heavyweight during his career at NC State. He went 19-7 last year, competing in four duals (3-1) and open tournaments. This summer he placed fourth and fifth at University Nationals in two different styles, including getting a win over the current sixth-ranked wrestler nationally according to FloWrestling.
Popolizio on 285:
"This is going to be a special weight class for us having a two-time national champion. Nick (Gwiazdowski's) leadership, experience, and confidence is truly priceless for our program. He has set his goals high to make history for NC State and is looking another NCAA title. To date, this has been Nick's best off season and preseason of training in the last five years; he remains extremely hungry and focused on accomplishing his goals. (Mike) Kosoy will definitely get a lot of mat time throughout the year as he has made tremendous gains as well. He plays a vital role in the success at this weight class."
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