North Carolina State University Athletics
Gwiazdowski Claims Title at World Team Trials
6/11/2017 10:57:00 AM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. – Former NC State wrestling national champion Nick Gwiazdowski claimed victory at the 2017 U.S. World Team Trials this weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska, and now will be part of the U.S. national team at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships to be held in Paris, August 21-26.
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Gwiazdowski received a bye into the best-of-three finals at 125 kg at the World Team Trials held on Saturday. Gwiazdowski won two straight bouts to clinch the series, and in the process clinched his first-ever spot on the World Team for the U.S.
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In his first bout against former two-time All-American Dom Bradley, ranked No. 3 in the U.S. rankings, Gwiazdowski jumped out to a 5-0 lead and ended up with a 5-1 win. In the second bout later in the night, the score was tied 2-2 late, and when a Bradley challenge for a force out was not overturned, Gwiazdowski secured the final point for the 3-2 win.
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Also in action at the World Team Trials on Saturday was former Wolfpack All-American Tommy Gantt at 70 kg. Gantt entered as the No. 7 seed, and narrowly dropped his first bout to the No. 2 seed Nazar Kulchytskyy, 10-7. In the consolation bracket, Gantt dropped an 8-2 contest to Jason Chamberlain.
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Three current members of the Wolfpack wrestling team were in action in the Junior World Team Trials on Friday, also in Lincoln.
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Sophomore Nick Reenan won the challenger tournament, and advanced to the best-of-three finals at 84 kg. Reenan breezed through the tournament as the top seed, as he went a perfect 4-0 to advance to the night session. All of Reenan's wins were by tech fall (at least 10 points), and he won his four matches by a combined 45-4. In the best-of-three finals, Reenan dropped both bouts to Arizona State All-American Zahid Valencia.
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Redshirt-freshman Hayden Hidlay advanced to the challenger finals at 74 kg. Hidlay started out with a 14-2 tech fall win, then 9-4 over Wisconsin's Evan Wick, in a battle of two of the top-three wrestlers in the weight class in the 2016 freshman rankings. In the challenger finals, Hidlay dropped a 6-0 contest to Iowa's Alex Marinelli, a top-three nationally ranked recruit from a year ago.
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Fellow redshirt-freshman Tariq Wilson dropped both of his bouts at 60 kg.
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Gwiazdowski received a bye into the best-of-three finals at 125 kg at the World Team Trials held on Saturday. Gwiazdowski won two straight bouts to clinch the series, and in the process clinched his first-ever spot on the World Team for the U.S.
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In his first bout against former two-time All-American Dom Bradley, ranked No. 3 in the U.S. rankings, Gwiazdowski jumped out to a 5-0 lead and ended up with a 5-1 win. In the second bout later in the night, the score was tied 2-2 late, and when a Bradley challenge for a force out was not overturned, Gwiazdowski secured the final point for the 3-2 win.
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Excited to have the opportunity to represent the USA! Thanks to all those behind me coaching and sponsors! @WolfpackWC @NittanyLionWC
— Nick Gwiazdowski (@NGWIZZZ) June 11, 2017
Congrats big @NGWIZZZ on making Team USA! Hard work pays of! From 518>607>919>Paris you make @PackWrestle Proud. #STATEment #WPN
— The Skip (@pat_popolizio) June 11, 2017
Congrats to @NGWIZZZ for making his first Senior World Team. He advance to be part of Team USA in Paris in July! #PackMentality https://t.co/KRTYXQbr7x
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) June 11, 2017
Also in action at the World Team Trials on Saturday was former Wolfpack All-American Tommy Gantt at 70 kg. Gantt entered as the No. 7 seed, and narrowly dropped his first bout to the No. 2 seed Nazar Kulchytskyy, 10-7. In the consolation bracket, Gantt dropped an 8-2 contest to Jason Chamberlain.
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Three current members of the Wolfpack wrestling team were in action in the Junior World Team Trials on Friday, also in Lincoln.
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Sophomore Nick Reenan won the challenger tournament, and advanced to the best-of-three finals at 84 kg. Reenan breezed through the tournament as the top seed, as he went a perfect 4-0 to advance to the night session. All of Reenan's wins were by tech fall (at least 10 points), and he won his four matches by a combined 45-4. In the best-of-three finals, Reenan dropped both bouts to Arizona State All-American Zahid Valencia.
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Redshirt-freshman Hayden Hidlay advanced to the challenger finals at 74 kg. Hidlay started out with a 14-2 tech fall win, then 9-4 over Wisconsin's Evan Wick, in a battle of two of the top-three wrestlers in the weight class in the 2016 freshman rankings. In the challenger finals, Hidlay dropped a 6-0 contest to Iowa's Alex Marinelli, a top-three nationally ranked recruit from a year ago.
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Fellow redshirt-freshman Tariq Wilson dropped both of his bouts at 60 kg.
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