FanPost

N.C. State crowns NCAA wrestling champ




The North Carolina State Wolfpack just crowned a national champion in wrestling. Nick Gwiazdowski of the Wolfpack defeated Tony Nelson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tonight in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gwiazdowski of Delason, New York is the first titleist for North Carolina State since Darrion Caldwell won a title for the Pack in 2009. Gwiazdowski transferred to State from Binghamton University in New York. He followed Wolfpack head coach Pat Popolizio to Raleigh. Gwiazdowski is a red shirt sophomore and has two years of eligibility remaining. This was a nice upset. Nelson was a two time defending national champion and was obviously going for his third title. It would have made him the first three time titleist for the Golden Gophers who have a long history of wrestling success, especially at heavyweight. Popolizio has the State wrestling program headed in the right direction. Gwiazdowski is sure to be a contender for two more titles.

Editor's note: The last time I watched an N.C. State team or athlete win a national championship live was in 1983, so suffice it to say that I was a little jacked for Gwiazdowski's bout tonight. I excused myself from the little dinner party my wife and I were having to watch it, but by the end of the bout everyone was in the living room with me. I'm not sure if they were watching the wrestling or watching me screaming, but suffice it to say that it was an awesome moment I'll never forget. Whoooooooooooooooo!

Gwiazdowski won 4-2, scoring two take-downs. In the realm of the NCAA championship round, that is a BEAT DOWN. After a scoreless first period, he owned Nelson. Though Nelson won 1-0 when the two met in the regular season, it's not a huge surprise, as Gwiazdowski had beaten Nelson twice over the summer in the world team trials. Dude is a beast. Hats off to him and Popolizio, another one of Dr. Yow's great hires.

Thanks to gerrylovesnathalie for fanposting the content above the editor's note.

~OW