North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 9 NC State wrestling team opens 2022 season against App State
11/3/2022 4:37:00 PM | Wrestling
RALEIGH The NC State wrestling team will kick off the 2022-23 campaign, hosting Appalachian State inside Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack, winners of four consecutive ACC titles, start the season ranked No. 9 in the NWCA Preseason Coaches Poll. NC State is the highest ranked ACC school.
"I think we feel it and we see it when we go to compete," veteran head coach Pat Popolizio said about the preseason ranking and the expectations that follow the Wolfpack. "You get everyone's best lineup and you get a hard fought match, which makes us better in the end. It's competitive, you know."
Popolizio, entering his 11th season in Raleigh, returns eight wrestlers with experience on the national stage. He also has a roster with 19 redshirt or true freshmen.
According to Popolizio, the youth movement makes it exciting for the staff.
"I think in the past we knew our guys so well, we knew what to expect," Popolizio said. "This year we have a lot of new faces and we're excited for a new challenge. And not the challenge of competing and producing and accomplishing our goals, but the challenge of developing new guys and making a name for new guys in our programs."
One established name in the program is redshirt junior Trent Hidlay. Hidlay is fresh off a silver-medal winning performance at the U23 World Championships.
The two-time ACC champion returns in the 184 pound class. While Hidlay is a household name, Popolizio and his staff are curious to see who will step up.
"Now it's who's going to be the new name that emerges from the 10 starters?," Popolizio said. "We're on the cusp of breaking through with a few guys, but we are talking on the national level. Who are the new guys?"
NC State held its annual Wrestle-Offs last week. Popolizio came out of that with a clearer understanding of who might take a step forward this season.
He likes Brock Delsignore down at 174 this season. Popolizio is excited about Jarrett Trombley at 125 and added that Kai Orine at 133 has "looked the best we've ever seen him."
That's also the case with Jacob Cox.
"They look better with a true year under their belt," Popolizio said. "We're young, but we're mature, so it's a good combination."
ABOUT APP STATE
The Mountaineers earned a top-30 spot in the NWCA Coaches Poll. App returns six starters from last season's team that produced five NCAA qualifiers.
In the last eight seasons, the Mountaineers have eight victories against teams from Power 5 leagues. A year ago, App won three of the first six matches against NC State before falling 25-10.
How to watch: The match will start at 7 pm and will air on ACC Network Extra and can be streamed on the ESPN App.
