North Carolina State University Athletics
Wrestling Ranked for Third Straight Week
12/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. - Coming off a strong showing at the prestigious Cliff Keen Invitational this past weekend, the NC State wrestling team remains a nationally ranked squad for the third straight week. This week, the Pack checks in at #18 nationally according to FloWrestling and #21 in the USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
Along with the Wolfpack’s national ranking, this is the first week four individuals have been ranked in the various polls.
• Jr. Sam Speno (141 pounds)
A two-time NCAA qualifier, Speno is ranked #16 by FloWrestling and #19 by both InterMat and TheOpenMat. Speno is 5-5 on the season, with four of his losses coming to higher ranked foes. After previously falling to #15 Anthony Abidin of Nebraska in a dual, Speno evened the score this weekend and brought home a 7-4 decision over Abidin at the Cliff Keen Invite.
• So. Max Rohskopf (165 pounds)
The Pack’s new starter at 165 pounds is ranked for the first time this season: #14 by TheOpenMat, #15 by FloWrestling, and #17 by InterMat. Rohskopf is 14-5 at 165 pounds, also 2-0 at 174, and is tied for the team-lead with three wins over ranked foes. This past weekend Rohskopf went 5-2 and took seventh at the Cliff Keen Invite, including a pair of top-20 victories.
• So. Pete Renda (174 pounds)
A 2014 NCAA Qualifier as a true freshman last year, Renda sits at #13 according to TheOpenMat and #16 by InterMat. Renda is off to a 14-5 start this season having won the Wolfpack Open and taking seventh at the Cliff Keen Invite. He picked up an 11-0 major decision over #15 Duke Pickett of Cornell this past weekend.
• R-Jr. Nick Gwiazdowski (285 pounds)
The defending NCAA Champion maintains his #2 nationally rankings in all the major polls. Gwiazdowski is off to a perfect 15-0 having won both the Cliff Keen Invite (Dec. 5-6) and the Wolfpack Open (Nov. 16). He is 3-0 against ranked opponents, including a win over #9 Ty Walz of ACC rival Virginia Tech, and 11 of his 15 have been bonus point victories this year.
Up next for the Pack is a home dual versus Appalachian State on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Admission is free in Reynolds Coliseum.
