#ChampionshipTradition: 2009 NCAA Champion Darrion Caldwell
1/14/2016 10:04:00 AM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. - The 2015-16 NC State wrestling team has ascended to a program-best No. 3 national ranking, and currently sits a perfect 16-0 on the season - the most consecutive wins in school history to start a season. But before this season, NC State wrestling previously enjoyed a rich championship tradition - crowning six different individuals National Champions in its storied history.
One of the Pack's former National Champions will be returning to Raleigh this weekend, as Darrion Caldwell will be honored during the NC State-Virginia ACC dual on Sunday at Dorton Arena. #3 NC State hosts #17 UVA at 1 p.m., admission is free.
A native of Rahway, N.J., Caldwell took top honors in 2009 as the National Champion at 149 pounds, and in the process was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Going in as the No. 3 seed, Caldwell shocked the college-wrestling world by taking out defending national champion Brent Metcalf of Iowa in the finals, 11-6.
Metcalf was often referred to as the best collegiate wrestler that season. He came in with a perfect 37-0 record, 72-1 for his career. That one loss was when Caldwell pinned him the season before - but since that time Metcalf won 69 straight including a 19-3 tech fall exhibition win over Caldwell earlier in the 2009 season.
None of that fazed Caldwell, who came out strong and scored two first-period takedowns to set the tone of the match.
"I knew I had to dominate at the beginning of the match. I knew I had to get it done in the early periods," Caldwell told ESPN afterwards.
Caldwell scored the first four takedowns of the bout, and by the time Metcalf recorded his lone takedown, late in the final period, Caldwell was well on his way to victory.
"I love when the chips are stacked up against me," Caldwell told GoPack.com once returning from St. Louis. "I had nothing to lose, I could only gain. I just stuck to my offense and tried to stay in control. I just kept attacking."
It wasn't just Caldwell's 2009 season that made him one of the top NC State wrestlers of all-time, but it was his entire career that has made Caldwell stand out.
A two-time All-American, and four-time ACC champion, Caldwell finished his Wolfpack career with a 109-13 record - his .893 winning percentage currently ranks second best in school history among wrestlers who have completed their eligibility. Caldwell also finished his career second in school history with 109 career victories and 58 career pins. He posted a career record of 12-5 at the NCAA Championships.
After his collegiate wrestling career, Caldwell has made the smooth transition into MMA. In the summer of 2012 he signed with Legacy Fighting Championship. In November of 2013 he moved on to compete for Bellator, and made his debut with them on March 14, 2014.
He currently holds a professional record of 8-0, and just moved down a weight class to Bantamweight, where he has won both of his fights thus far.
• Caldwell made his bantamweight debut against Rafael Silva on May 15, 2015 at Bellator 137. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
• Caldwell next faced Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via submission (rear naked choke) 2:35 into the first round.
His next fight will be against Joe Warren on March 4.
Â
One of the Pack's former National Champions will be returning to Raleigh this weekend, as Darrion Caldwell will be honored during the NC State-Virginia ACC dual on Sunday at Dorton Arena. #3 NC State hosts #17 UVA at 1 p.m., admission is free.
A native of Rahway, N.J., Caldwell took top honors in 2009 as the National Champion at 149 pounds, and in the process was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Going in as the No. 3 seed, Caldwell shocked the college-wrestling world by taking out defending national champion Brent Metcalf of Iowa in the finals, 11-6.
Metcalf was often referred to as the best collegiate wrestler that season. He came in with a perfect 37-0 record, 72-1 for his career. That one loss was when Caldwell pinned him the season before - but since that time Metcalf won 69 straight including a 19-3 tech fall exhibition win over Caldwell earlier in the 2009 season.
None of that fazed Caldwell, who came out strong and scored two first-period takedowns to set the tone of the match.
"I knew I had to dominate at the beginning of the match. I knew I had to get it done in the early periods," Caldwell told ESPN afterwards.
Caldwell scored the first four takedowns of the bout, and by the time Metcalf recorded his lone takedown, late in the final period, Caldwell was well on his way to victory.
"I love when the chips are stacked up against me," Caldwell told GoPack.com once returning from St. Louis. "I had nothing to lose, I could only gain. I just stuck to my offense and tried to stay in control. I just kept attacking."
It wasn't just Caldwell's 2009 season that made him one of the top NC State wrestlers of all-time, but it was his entire career that has made Caldwell stand out.
A two-time All-American, and four-time ACC champion, Caldwell finished his Wolfpack career with a 109-13 record - his .893 winning percentage currently ranks second best in school history among wrestlers who have completed their eligibility. Caldwell also finished his career second in school history with 109 career victories and 58 career pins. He posted a career record of 12-5 at the NCAA Championships.
After his collegiate wrestling career, Caldwell has made the smooth transition into MMA. In the summer of 2012 he signed with Legacy Fighting Championship. In November of 2013 he moved on to compete for Bellator, and made his debut with them on March 14, 2014.
He currently holds a professional record of 8-0, and just moved down a weight class to Bantamweight, where he has won both of his fights thus far.
• Caldwell made his bantamweight debut against Rafael Silva on May 15, 2015 at Bellator 137. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
• Caldwell next faced Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via submission (rear naked choke) 2:35 into the first round.
His next fight will be against Joe Warren on March 4.
Â
Vincent Robinson 2025 125 lb National Championship Feature
Thursday, June 05
National Champion Vince Robinson
Friday, April 04
Vince Robinson National Championship Press Conference
Saturday, March 22
Leaders of the Pack Trent Hidlay
Tuesday, March 05