#4 PackWrestle defeats App State in home opener, 24-12

Things got dicey there for a bit, but NC State (2-0) opened their home schedule with a win over visiting App State (0-1) on Friday night. The Pack claimed six of ten bouts, and made the final score look a little more comfortable than it was through four bonus point victories. As promised, the Mountaineers came in to Reynolds and wrestled tough, showing why they are expected to be the class of the SoCon this season. But in the end, it wasn’t enough, and the Pack escaped with the 24-12 victory.

The dual began at 125 pounds where Jakob Camacho tallied his first ranked win of the season, 11-4 over #23 Codi Russell. Jarrett Trombley followed that up at 133, with a tight 4-2 victory over #25 Sean Carter. He was able to secure a huge first-period takedown and rideout to accumulate some riding time and avoid giving up the crucial escape point. This rideout along with multiple timely scrambles throughout the rest of the bout were incredibly impressive and ended up being enough for his first ranked win as well.

At 141, Tariq looked like Tariq with a dominant 14-1 major decision to push the team score to 10-0 after three bouts. Next came the marquee matchup of the night as true freshman Ed Scott squared off with #21 Jonathan Millner. Things started well for Scott as he secured the first takedown of the bout, but after choosing bottom to start the second, Ed spent too much time and energy looking for a reversal rather than the escape. This allowed Millner to accumulate over a minute of riding time heading into the third and put the Pack freshman in a position where he had to chase a takedown late. He was unable to secure it, and ultimately ended up falling 5-3. However despite the result, Scott looked like the better guy - he just ran into a savvy veteran who knew how to squeak out the win.

At 157, Hayden Hidlay would do what he does and win by bonus. By this point, this dual had all the makings of a blowout, with the Pack leading 14-3 and the Bullard twins coming up. But App State came for a fight, and the Mountaineers next two guys came perfectly prepared for the scrambly style that the twins present. #25 William Formato and #21 Thomas Flitz both stifled the Bullards and closed the team score to 14-9 with their decision victories. Then at 184, Julian Gorring took out Jacob Ferreira, who was wrestling in relief of the sidelined Trent Hidlay, by a score of 3-1.

Three straight losses for the Pack and just like that it’s a one-match dual. Tensions were high and I started getting flashbacks to the UNC dual from last year, where it may come down to the big man Deonte Wilson to close this out. However, Nick Reenan had other plans. He came out at 197, and looked like the Reenan of old, securing two quick takedowns and locking up back-to-back cradles - the second of which tight enough to get the pin.

The pin and six team points that came with it put the dual out of reach, but nonetheless Deonte Wilson closed it out with a major decision. This victory was the 19th straight for NC State and the 200th dual win of Popolizio’s career.

#4 NC State 24-12 App State

• 125: #3 Jakob Camacho (NCSU) dec. #23 Codi Russell (App); 11-4 (3-0 NCSU)
• 133: #17 Jarrett Trombley (NCSU) dec. #25 Sean Carter (App); 4-2 (6-0 NCSU)
• 141: #11 Tariq Wilson (NCSU) major dec. Anthony Brito (App); 14-1 (10-0 NCSU)
• 149: #21 Jonathan Millner (App) dec. Ed Scott (NCSU); 5-3 (10-3 NCSU)
• 157: #2 Hayden Hidlay (NCSU) major dec. Cody Bond (App); 14-5 (14-3 NCSU)
• 165: #25 William Formato (App) dec. #7 Thomas Bullard (NCSU); 4-0 (14-6 NCSU)
• 174: #21 Thomas Flitz (App) dec. #10 Daniel Bullard (NCSU); 6-4 SV1 (14-9 NCSU)
• 184: Julian Gorring (App) dec. Jacob Ferreira (NCSU); 3-1 (14-12 NCSU)
• 197: Nick Reenan (NCSU) pin Mason Fiscella (App); 2:16 (20-12 NCSU)
• 285: #16 Deonte Wilson (NCSU) major dec. Tim Warren (App); 11-2 (24-12 NCSU)

While it’s concerning that both Bullards dropped their matches, that disappointment is slightly offset by the apparent return of Nick Reenan. Stepping up big for the team in that way is going to be huge for his confidence. If he can put together an All-American type season for the Pack, it would do wonders for our team trophy hopes.

In an effort to log matches for depth guys and get some extra reps for some starters, NC State and App State rolled out the mats again this morning. Here are the results from those matches:

Next up is a trip to Charlottesville on Friday evening to face Virginia.