NC State Wrestling Overpowers App State, But Heavyweight Concerns Linger
NC State wrestling took care of business in Boone, picking up a 21-14 road win over Appalachian State in a dual that showcased the Pack’s firepower in the lighter weights-but also raised some red flags in the upper classes.
The Wolfpack (3-2) came out swinging, winning six of the first seven matches and building a lead that proved too much for the Mountaineers (2-4) to overcome. It was a fast start, fueled by three major decisions and a handful of dominant performances from NC State’s top talent. But once the heavier weights took the mat, the momentum shifted-and not in a good way for the red and white.
Let’s break it down.
Setting the Tone Early
At 125 pounds, No. 1 Vince Robinson continued to look every bit the top-ranked wrestler in the country.
The redshirt sophomore wasted no time imposing his will on Cooper Foster, cruising to an 11-2 major decision. Robinson’s pace, pressure, and precision were on full display-he set the tone for the dual and never let it slip.
That early energy carried over into the middle of the lineup, where No. 11 Ryan Jack and **No.
11 Jackson Arrington** reminded everyone why their returns to the mat matter so much. Jack, a redshirt junior at 141, and Arrington, a seasoned sixth-year at 157, both earned major decisions and looked sharp doing it.
After redshirting last season, they’re not just shaking off the rust-they’re making statements. These are two guys who could be serious ACC title threats come February.
And then there’s No. 21 Will Denny, the freshman from Illinois who’s quickly becoming a name to watch.
In the 165-pound bout, Denny posted an 11-4 win over Anthony Conetta, showing the kind of poise and consistency that’s rare for a first-year wrestler. He’s been a steady presence in a lineup that’s still finding its identity in spots.
Consistent Contributors Keep Delivering
No. 4 Matty Singleton and **No.
9 Koy Buesgens** also did what they were expected to do-win. Singleton battled through a tough 174-pound match to earn a 9-6 decision, while Buesgens edged out a 4-2 win at 149.
Both are emerging as reliable anchors for NC State, and their steady performances give the Pack a strong foundation in the middle of the lineup.
But not everything went according to plan.
A Miss at 133 and a Rough Finish
The Pack’s lone upset loss came at 133 pounds, where No. 26 Zach Redding dropped a 9-4 decision to App State’s Jarvis Little.
Redding, a sixth-year transfer from Iowa State, was brought in to fill the gap left by Kai Orine. But Sunday’s match highlighted some of the inconsistency that’s plagued him early on.
If NC State wants to hit its ceiling this season, Redding’s going to have to find another gear.
Then came the final three bouts-and they weren’t pretty.
The Wolfpack dropped the 184, 197, and heavyweight matches in lopsided fashion. Don Cates, a sixth-year vet, gave the best fight of the trio, falling 11-5 to **No.
33 Tomas Brooker**, App State’s only ranked wrestler. But for Andrew Macchiavello and Xavier Wilson, both making their season debuts, it was a rough welcome.
Macchiavello lost 13-0 at 197, and Wilson was overwhelmed in a 17-3 defeat at heavyweight.
What It Means Moving Forward
The good news? NC State locked up the dual early, and the top half of the lineup looked sharp.
The bad news? The struggles in the heavier weights are starting to become a trend-and in tight duals against top-tier teams, those back-end points matter.
If the Pack wants to contend on the national stage, they’ll need to shore things up in the upper weights and avoid giving away bonus points late.
There’s time to fix it, but the clock’s ticking.
What’s Next
NC State returns to the mat this Sunday, Dec. 7, for a doubleheader in Fuquay-Varina. The Wolfpack will face Morgan State at 1 p.m. before squaring off with **No.
14 Rutgers** at 3 p.m. It’s another chance for the lighter weights to keep rolling-and for the big guys to bounce back.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting it all together.