North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Wrestling Takes On Another Giant
1/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 21, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - Many coaches like a challenging non-conference schedule, but the non-ACC slate that the NC State wrestling team has faced this season has been a gauntlet of national powers.
The Wolfpack hit the road to face then-second-ranked Lehigh on November 12, competed in the Navy Classic a week later, went to Las Vegas for the always-loaded Cliff Keen Invitational on December 3-4, faced a vastly underrated North Dakota State squad on January 8 at the NC State Duals, and a week ago traveled to No. 2 Illinois.
The gauntlet ends on Saturday at 7 p.m., when sixth-ranked Nebraska comes to Reynolds Coliseum to take on the Wolfpack. The Cornhuskers, 13-1-1 in dual competition heading into action this weekend, return three All-Americans and seven NCAA qualifiers from last year's squad, which finished fifth at the NCAA Championships.
"I told our team this week that we're facing a tough schedule this year because it will make us better," Wolfpack head coach Carter Jordan said. "We have a lot of talent on this team, but we're very inexperienced. Facing this schedule will make our kids tougher, and give them a chance to measure themselves against top-flight competition."
The Wolfpack, 3-3, will continue to build and gain experience for its young lineup, which will probably start four freshmen and four sophomores against the veteran Huskers. The Wolfpack is led by redshirt-sophomore 125-pounder Garrett Cummings, a former walk-on who has blossomed this season and is 11-3 against a difficult schedule.
Senior 149-pounder and 2004 NCAA qualifier Alex Hernandez (5-5), redshirt-junior 174-pounder Kevin Gabrielson (9-6), sophomore heavyweight Jainor Palma (11-7), and true freshman 157-pounder Kody Hamrah (7-7) also have provided highlights this season for the Wolfpack. NC State will be without the services of redshirt-sophomore 133-pounder Jeremy Hartrum, who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to repair an injured knee.
NC State vs. Nebraska, probable lineups
125 - Garrett Cummings (11-3) vs. No. 9 Matt Keller (13-3) or Jeremy Emerson (5-6)
133 - Matthew Spengler (0-2) vs. Derek Pirner (0-0), Dominick Moyer (7-9), or Dusty Spaulding (4-3)
141 - Jeff Breese (1-2 / 5-7) vs. No. 7 Matt Murray (13-2)
149 - Alex Hernandez (5-5) vs. Chris Nedens (9-13) or David Ingalis (10-5)
157 - Kody Hamrah (7-7) vs. No. 11 B.J. Wright (15-6)
165 - Ryan Nowicki (2-4) vs. No. 6 Jacob Klein (15-2)
174 - Kevin Gabrielson (9-6) vs. Marc Harwood (16-4)
184 - Jeremy Colbert (5-9) vs. No. 5 Travis Pascoe (14-1)
197 - Zach Garren (5-6) vs. No. 16 B.J. Padden (15-7)
Hwt - Jainor Palma (11-7) vs. No. 18 Jon May (13-6) or Mitch Manstedt (13-7)
