North Carolina State University Athletics
Caldwell Seeking New Milestones
1/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 8, 2011
Wrestling Hosts NC State Duals on Saturday
RALEIGH, N.C. - Within NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell's reach are several major milestones that will enhance his claim as the greatest wrestler in NC State history.
One of those marks - becoming the second Wolfpack wrestler to reach 100 career victories - could happen today, when Caldwell and his teammates participate in the all-day NC State Duals at Reynolds Coliseum. The first of the team's five matches begins at 1 p.m.
Caldwell, who returned from a 16-month absence following shoulder surgery with two wins earlier this week, begins the day with a career mark of 96-12, which is tied for second with former Wolfpack All-America Mike Lombardo. They both trail former All-America heavyweight and NCAA champion Sylvester Terkay, who compiled a 122-14 mark from 1990-93.
Caldwell, who won the individual national championship at 149 pounds at the 2009 NCAA Championships, knows that his injury, which wiped out all of last season and the entire fall tournament schedule, will prevent him from surpassing Terkay's record.
But that won't prevent him from reaching other marks. He can close in on Terlay's school record for pins in the coming weeks. He's currently in third place with 51 in three seasons, which trails former NCAA heavyweight champion Tab Thacker's 54 and Terkay's record of 64.
"Those things are important to me and my family and my peers around me," Caldwell said Friday afternoon. "They are all hyped about me getting that mark. They are excited for me and that's a great feeling."
In reality, however, these are mile-markers to his ultimate dreams: to become the first wrestler in NC State history to win two national titles and to make the United States Olympic team.
"I do want to be considered the best wrestler ever here at NC State," Caldwell said. "I really believe I can get another championship and go on to my Olympic dreams."
Wolfpack head coach Carter Jordan believes Caldwell has the same edge he had when he was at the top of the wrestling world in March 2009, when his dominating performance at the national championships earned him the Most Outstanding Wrestler award following his win in the 149 weight class.
"He looked fantastic in his first match back," Jordan said. "The second match was perfect for him, because he got to see what he'll see quite a bit from guys who know they can't beat him, but want to try to keep it close and frustrate him.
"It's the first time he's had to deal with the returning national champion thing. That's going to happen throughout the season."
Even after more than a year of rehab and preparation, Caldwell believes he's still at the top of his abilities and ready to reclaim his spot at the top of his sport.
"I don't think you lose your wrestling edge," he said. "I think you might lose the timing and the feeling. The two or three months of preparation leading up to this week were enough to give me my edge back.
"I don't think there's anything missing."
• By Tim Peeler, tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
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