NC State Wrestling Extends Dominance Over Tar Heels With Convincing Dual Meet Victory
In one of college wrestling’s most heated rivalries, NC State once again reminded everyone who runs the state mat scene. The No.
8 Wolfpack delivered a commanding 24-10 win over No. 11 North Carolina, extending their streak to 13 straight victories over their in-state rival.
And make no mistake - this wasn’t just another win. This was a statement.
“This is a match our guys get up for,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “There’s pride in this program, pride in this fan base, and our guys know what it means when it’s NC State vs.
Carolina. They came out ready to represent.”
The Pack took seven of ten bouts in front of a packed Reynolds Coliseum, including a clean sweep of the final four matches. The atmosphere was electric, and the team fed off it, especially sixth-year veteran Isaac Trumble, who’s been through his share of these rivalry battles.
“I’ve never been a big fan of them,” Trumble said bluntly. “When the crowd gets going, it lifts you. You feel the momentum shift, and you just ride it.”
Freshman Firestarter: Will Denny Sets the Tone
The night kicked off with fireworks thanks to freshman Will Denny, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the dual. Denny, ranked No. 15, dominated No. 10 Bryce Hepner in the 165-pound bout, earning a 10-2 major decision that set the tone for the entire meet.
Denny attacked early and often, landing a takedown in the first period and never letting up. The crowd roared as the freshman controlled the pace and tempo, showing maturity beyond his years.
“This week I realized how much we actually hate them,” Denny said. “My dad and brother were UNC fans because of Jordan. I told them earlier this week - no more light blue.”
Trading Blows Early, Then Slamming the Door Shut
Through the first six bouts, the two teams went back and forth, each side claiming three wins. But a spark - or maybe a little premature celebration - lit a fire under the Wolfpack.
After UNC’s Jake Dailey picked up a major decision over Don Cates, Carolina fans and coaches got loud. Maybe too loud. Because from that point on, it was all NC State.
Redshirt sophomore Patrick Brophy, a midseason transfer from The Citadel, stepped into the 197-pound slot and delivered a crucial 8-1 decision over No. 33 Robert Platt. Brophy’s win flipped the momentum, and he did it with poise that belied his short time in Raleigh.
“I saw composure,” Popolizio said. “He was at another school less than a month ago, and now he’s stepping into this rivalry and putting on a performance like that? That’s big time.”
Trumble, Robinson, Redding Close It Out in Style
From there, it was Trumble’s turn. The sixth-year leader - and now a soon-to-be father - capped his final rivalry match with a dominant 8-0 shutout of No.
28 Nolan Neeves. It was a fitting end to his Carolina rivalry chapter.
“I’ve grown a lot here,” Trumble said. “I got married, my wife’s pregnant, and I’ve developed as a wrestler and a person.
I’ve spent a quarter of my life here. This is home now.”
With NC State rolling, No. 5 Vince Robinson sealed the deal.
Robinson, who was questionable to even wrestle during the week, gutted out a gritty 4-2 win over No. 15 Kysen Terukina.
He only needed one takedown - but it was enough.
“He was day-to-day,” Popolizio said. “That’s what you get out of a national champ. He stepped up big for the team.”
And even with the dual already in hand, sixth-year Zach Redding wasn’t about to let up. In the final match of the night, he delivered his best performance of the season, upsetting No. 18 Ethan Oakley with an emphatic 8-2 victory at 133 pounds.
“Zach’s dangerous,” Popolizio said. “He’s really good at wrestling, and now we’re seeing more consistency. If he keeps trending like this, he’s going to be a problem for people down the stretch.”
Next Up: A Showdown with Virginia Tech
The Wolfpack won’t have much time to bask in this one. Up next is a high-stakes showdown against No.
7 Virginia Tech on Jan. 30 - a matchup that could very well decide the ACC regular season title. These two programs have been neck-and-neck atop the conference in recent years, and Friday night in Reynolds should be another electric chapter in that rivalry.
For now, though, NC State can enjoy another win over the Heels - a streak that’s starting to feel less like a trend and more like tradition.