Five-Time All-American Hayden Hidlay to Continue Journey with @PackWrestle
3/25/2022 1:32:00 PM | Wrestling
Four-time ACC Champion to stay with Wolfpack Wrestling program
RALEIGH, N.C. – A five-time All-American, four-time ACC Champion and one of the winningest wrestlers in NC State school history, Hayden Hidlay will remain with the Wolfpack Wrestling program and transition into the role of student-athlete development coordinator. The position will allow him to stay in Raleigh, and work closely with all the student-athletes of the NC State Wolfpack Wrestling program on their life skills.
"Thank you to Coach Popolizio and the entire Wolfpack staff for giving me this opportunity," said Hidlay. "I'm excited to begin my coaching career by staying in Raleigh with the goal of developing the future of NC State Wrestling."
Hidlay finished his career second in school history in career winning percentage (110-11, .909), and his 110 career wins are tied for third-most in NC State history.
He was the first-ever five-time All-American in school history. He was an NCAA Finalist in 2018, placed fourth in 2019, was a first-team selection in 2020 when NCAAs were cancelled, fifth in 2021 and placed third this year after moving up two weight classes to 174 pounds.
Hidlay became only the 10th wrestler in ACC history to claim four individual titles and he won the 157 pound weight class four straight seasons, 2018-21.
He was named the 2020 ACC Wrestler of the Year and also the ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year that same season.
"Hayden has been one of the most impactful student-athletes that I have ever seen. Not only just within our program, but both at the conference and national levels too," said head coach Pat Popolizio. "I am extremely excited for this opportunity to keep him in Raleigh and around our team. He will continue to develop and mentor both our current wrestlers and all of our future commits here at NC State."
A native of Lewistown, Pa., he was a 2015-16 ASICS All-American at 152 pounds as a senior at Mifflin County High School. He finished his prep career with a PIAA 3A state title as a senior going 40-1. In his prep career, he posted a 149-15 record with a pair of top-three PIAA finishes (third as a junior). He was a top-10 overall recruit by FloWrestling, and ranked No. 2 at 152 pounds by both Flo and Intermat.
He graduated with an undergrad degree in Business Administration in May 2020, and then earned a grad certificate in NC State's Nonprofit Management Graduate Program. He is currently enrolled in NC State's Professional Communication and Managerial Skills grad program.
"Thank you to Coach Popolizio and the entire Wolfpack staff for giving me this opportunity," said Hidlay. "I'm excited to begin my coaching career by staying in Raleigh with the goal of developing the future of NC State Wrestling."
Hidlay finished his career second in school history in career winning percentage (110-11, .909), and his 110 career wins are tied for third-most in NC State history.
He was the first-ever five-time All-American in school history. He was an NCAA Finalist in 2018, placed fourth in 2019, was a first-team selection in 2020 when NCAAs were cancelled, fifth in 2021 and placed third this year after moving up two weight classes to 174 pounds.
Hidlay became only the 10th wrestler in ACC history to claim four individual titles and he won the 157 pound weight class four straight seasons, 2018-21.
He was named the 2020 ACC Wrestler of the Year and also the ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year that same season.
"Hayden has been one of the most impactful student-athletes that I have ever seen. Not only just within our program, but both at the conference and national levels too," said head coach Pat Popolizio. "I am extremely excited for this opportunity to keep him in Raleigh and around our team. He will continue to develop and mentor both our current wrestlers and all of our future commits here at NC State."
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— NC State Wrestling 🤼♂️ (@PackWrestle) March 20, 2022
He graduated with an undergrad degree in Business Administration in May 2020, and then earned a grad certificate in NC State's Nonprofit Management Graduate Program. He is currently enrolled in NC State's Professional Communication and Managerial Skills grad program.
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