No. 11 North Carolina Wrestling Heads to Raleigh for Top-10 Clash with No. 8 NC State
The stakes are high and the rivalry is even higher as No. 11 North Carolina heads to Reynolds Coliseum this Friday night to take on No.
8 NC State in a marquee ACC wrestling showdown. This isn’t just another dual meet-it’s a battle between two nationally ranked programs with over a century of history between them.
The all-time series? Practically deadlocked, with NC State holding a narrow 64-62-3 edge heading into Friday’s matchup, which just so happens to fall on the 101st anniversary of their first meeting back in 1925.
A Century of Rivalry, A Decade of Drought
Carolina fans don’t need reminding-it’s been nearly 11 years since the Tar Heels last beat the Wolfpack in a dual meet. That win came on February 1, 2013, when UNC rolled to a dominant 30-6 victory. Since then, it’s been a frustrating stretch, but this year’s squad has the kind of depth, experience, and momentum that could finally swing the series back in Chapel Hill’s favor.
Momentum from Charlottesville
Last Friday, the Tar Heels opened their ACC slate with a strong 25-10 win over Virginia. Bonus-point wins from Jake Dailey and Robert Platt helped set the tone, both securing technical falls to energize the lineup. In total, seven Tar Heels walked away with their hands raised, including Ethan Oakley (133), Luke Simcox (141), Laird Root (157), Bryce Hepner (165), and Nolan Neves (285), who all notched decision victories.
That win marked UNC’s eighth victory in their last nine ACC openers and extended their win streak over Virginia to nine straight. It’s the kind of performance that builds confidence heading into a hostile environment like Reynolds Coliseum.
New Blood, Big Impact
Year three under head coach Roll Koll is already shaping up to be a breakthrough campaign. This offseason, Carolina reloaded with nine new additions-seven freshmen and two high-impact transfers.
And those transfers? They’ve delivered.
Bryce Hepner, formerly of Ohio State, and Kysen Terukina, who came over from Iowa State, have been mainstays in the lineup and are a combined 21-2 on the season. Terukina, in particular, has been lights out in duals, holding a perfect 6-0 record heading into this weekend.
Climbing the Rankings
At No. 11 in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll, this is the highest UNC has been ranked since January 2021. That year, they cracked the top 10, and they’re inching close again.
This is also the most highly ranked the Tar Heels have been heading into a dual with NC State since February 2021, when they entered the matchup ranked No. 8.
And it’s not just the team ranking that’s turning heads-eight Tar Heels are nationally ranked in their respective weight classes:
- 125: Kysen Terukina - No. 15
- 133: Ethan Oakley - No. 18
- 141: Luke Simcox - No. 17
- 157: Laird Root - No. 28
- 165: Bryce Hepner - No. 10
- 184: Jake Dailey - No. 13
- 197: Robert Platt - No. 33
- 285: Nolan Neves - No. 28
That kind of lineup depth gives Carolina a real shot to make noise-not just in this dual, but as the season pushes toward championship season.
Friday Night Lights: Matchups to Watch
There’s no shortage of compelling matchups in this one. At 125, Terukina will likely face off against NC State’s Vincent Robinson, ranked No.
- That’s a top-15 showdown that could set the tone early.
At 165, Hepner takes on No. 15 Will Denny in another ranked battle.
And at heavyweight, Nolan Neves will have his hands full with No. 2 Isaac Trumble, one of the most dominant big men in the country.
Here’s a look at the projected matchups:
- 125: No. 15 Kysen Terukina vs.
No. 5 Vincent Robinson or Brad Yokum
- 133: No. 18 Ethan Oakley vs.
Zach Redding or Troy Hohman
- 141: No.
17 Luke Simcox vs. No.
12 Ryan Jack
- 149: Nate Askew vs.
No. 5 Koy Buesgens
- 157: No. 28 Laird Root vs.
Luca Felix or Brogan Tucker
- 165: No.
10 Bryce Hepner vs. No.
15 Will Denny
- 174: Collin Carrigan vs.
No. 5 Matty Singleton
- 184: No. 13 Jake Dailey vs.
Don Cates
- 197: No.
33 Robert Platt vs. No.
26 Patrick Brophy or Cason Howle
- 285: No.
28 Nolan Neves vs. No.
2 Isaac Trumble
The Bottom Line
This is more than just a ranked dual-it’s a measuring stick. For North Carolina, it’s a chance to prove they belong among the nation’s elite and to finally snap a decade-long skid against their biggest rival. With a lineup full of ranked wrestlers, a coach with a vision, and a team that’s clicking at the right time, the Tar Heels are heading into Raleigh with confidence and purpose.
First whistle is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night, and you can catch all the action on ACCNX. Expect fireworks.