North Carolina State University Athletics
Freshman Kevin Jack Finishes Fifth at NCAA Championships
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ST. LOUIS, MO. - He started the 2015 NCAA Championships unseeded and a relative unknown in the wrestling community. But after four upsets over seeded wrestlers, NC State freshman Kevin Jack came away with a fifth place finish at the 2015 NCAA Championships and All-American honors in his first year of collegiate wrestling.
"Coming in as a true freshman, it was great knocking off three seeded opponents to get to the semifinals last night," said Jack. "Being able to get there relaxed me, and allowed me to compete without all the pressure of trying to become an All-American.
"Honestly, there was nothing better than getting my hand raised in this arena and I got to experience that four times this weekend. Plus I ended my season with a win, it certainly has been a great experience."
Originally going to redshirt this season until an illness opened up a spot in the starting lineup very late in the regular season, Jack made the most of his opportunities after earning an NCAA automatic bid at 141 pounds.
In action on Saturday, Jack split his matches. He fell to #14 seed Dean Heil of Oklahoma State 12-6, but quickly recovered and won his fifth place bout over #11 seed Chris Mecate of Old Dominion 3-0.
Against Mecate, the two wrestled to a scoreless first period. Jack started the second in the down position and his escape was the lone point of the period. Jack started the third on top, and after a second stall was called on Mecate to give Jack a 2-0 lead, Jack rode him out the entire period and with ride time won 3-0.
Jack reached the semifinals with wins over #5 seed Dziewa of Iowa (6-3), #12 seed Joey Ward of North Carolina (6-5) and #4 seed and 2014 NCAA Finalist and four-time ACC champion Devin Carter of Virginia Tech (10-8). Jack's first loss of the 2015 NCAAs was to three-time defending national champion #1 seed Logan Stieber of Ohio State.
• Defeated the #5, #12 and then #4 seeds to reach the NCAA semifinals. Upset the #11 seed in today's 5th/6th place bout.
•31 wins this season most ever for a Pack freshman. 31 wins is also 14th all-time among all NC State wrestlers.
• Along with Nick Gwiazdowski, gives NC State its first pair of All-Americans in the same year since 1993.
• Topped former All-American Darrius Little's eighth place finish in 2012 as the Pack's top national result at 141 pounds.
• Became the first Division 1 freshman to earn All-American honors from the state of Connecticut.
• Originally scheduled to redshirt, he did not compete in first dual until Feb. 14, and in only three all year.
• Went 3-0 in duals before placing fourth at the ACC Championship.
Congrats to Kevin Jack. 5th place at NCAAs! 31 wins most ever for a Pack freshman. #PackMentality #STATEment pic.twitter.com/3R8eOmdGBm
-- NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) March 21, 2015
True frosh and upset specialist Kevin Jack (NC State) wins his 5th place match vs Mecate. Heck of a tournament for the young buck.
-- FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) March 21, 2015
Kevin Jack looks so unassuming, but man, this kid impressed me this week. #d1wrestle @PackWrestle
-- Jason Bryant (@jasonmbryant) March 21, 2015
141: Unseeded Kevin Jack (@PackWrestle), who didn't enter the starting lineup until February, finishes the tournament in 5th. #d1wrestle
-- NWCA (@nwcawrestling) March 21, 2015
Wrestling at NC State, Kevin Jack from Danbury CT becomes first D1 Frosh All-American from the state of Connecticut finishing 5th
-- Matt Bogumil (@matt_bogumil) March 21, 2015
