Preseason #1 Hayden Hidlay Sets the Bar High

RALEIGH, N.C. – High expectations are nothing new for R-Jr. Hayden Hidlay.

He was a top-15 overall recruit out of Lewistown, Pa., when he committed to the Wolfpack.

After redshirting his first season on campus, Hidlay nabbed the No. 1 overall seed at 157 pounds at the 2018 NCAA Championships. That year he was an NCAA finalist, placing second with only one loss on the season.

Last year, Hidlay repeated the All-American feat with his fourth place finish and also represented the U.S. on the U23 World Team in Romania.

Now entering his third season in the Wolfpack lineup, those expectations have only grown. He is ranked No. 1 nationally at 157 pounds in all six college wrestling polls heading into his first action of the season this weekend.

"There are expectations for him, nothing new, nothing he isn't used to," said NC State head coach Pat Popolizio. "He has set the bar high in everything he does inside and outside our room. He is a perfectionist.

"I think he is ready for (this season) by the growth he has showed. He trains so hard. He will be in a position to win every single match he competes in this year."

When asked to talk about his high preseason ranking, Hidlay takes it all in stride.

"I know there is a target on my back," said Hidlay. "You can come in with a number beside your name, but at the end of the day you have to get something done."

Hidlay is one of only three wrestlers in school history to All-American as both a freshman (2^nd in 2018) and as a sophomore (4^th in 2019). He also currently sits second in the NC State record books with a .909 career winning percentage (50-5).

"For me, my job is not over until it is all said and done," said Hidlay. "Once that smoke settles, and everything clears out, that is when I can sit back and think about my accomplishments.

"Right now, you have to break up with your last accomplishment and get ready to go because there are plenty of guys that are ready to try to take you out. That is the approach I am taking this year."

This summer was a bit different for Hidlay, as NC State fans did not see him competing in as many freestyle tournaments as he has done over recent years.

"My summer was mostly training to get ready for this NCAA Tournament," said Hidlay. "I didn't have a great Trials here in Reynolds (in May of 2019), but after that happened I looked back and saw the things I need to get better on.

"I focused on those deficiencies, and that is what the summer was mostly built around. I lifted really hard, trained hard, and I think it is ready to come out to show what I have gotten better at after last season."

There is no better, or bigger way, to start the season for Hidlay then this weekend. The Wolfpack's first dual of the 2019-20 season will feature a marque bout at 157 pounds, a top-five battle.

When the #9 Wolfpack hosts #25 Old Dominion this Friday night in Reynolds Coliseum, the bout everybody is looking forward to will be Hidlay going up against #4 Larry Early.

"There are no easy matches, that is why I came to NC State," said Hidlay. "I was promised that I would be put in big dual meets, in big matches that are high profile, and that is why I wanted to come down here."

Early and Hidlay have matched up each of the last two seasons in the NC State-Old Dominion dual. Hidlay scored a 13-5 major decision two years ago, but Early answered last season in his home gym with a 4-2 decision thanks to a third period takedown.

"I know leading into this match it is a familiar guy," said Hidlay. "We wrestle them every year, they may as well be in our conference.

"Last year when I wrestled him, he took it to me in that match and he was ready to go and I was not firing on all cylinders. I feel ready to go this year. It is the first match of the season, and there is going to be some rust that needs to be shaken off, but I am really excited for a big time match up.

"I feel confident that with our training throughout the year, that when I wrestle no matter when it is during the season, I am going to be good to go. It is going to take a very creative effort. It is going to take seven minutes."

North Carolina State University Athletics

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