Pack Preview: Appalachian State & Cleveland State

Pack Preview: CKLV 2013

The 32^nd Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational is today and tomorrow.  Nine members of the Wolfpack will be competing in this prestigious tournament.  Flowrestling.org will cover the tournament, so if you have a paid subscription to flowrestling.org, you can watch the tournament live.  If you do not have a flowrestling.org subscription, you can follow along with the tournament website at www.cklvwrestle.com.  Brackets should be posted sometime today at http://postedresults.escapesports.com/Results.php.  In addition, intermatwrestle.com will have a live blog throughout the event.  As always, you can follow results for the Wolfpack on Twitter @PackWrestle. 

Here is a look at the thirty-three teams in this year’s field:  #5 Oklahoma, #6 Northern Iowa, #7 Nebraska, #8 Iowa State, #11 Cornell, #12 Ohio State, #14 Oregon State, #18 Boise State, #20 Virginia, #21 Virginia Tech, #22 Michigan, #23 NC State, #25 Wyoming, #33 Air Force, #36 (tied) American, #36 (tied)Hofstra, #41 (tied) Arizona State, #41 (tied) Navy,#44 (tied) Brown, #44 (tied) Cal Bakersfield, #44 (tied) Citadel, #44 (tied) Utah Valley, #52 (tied) Cal Poly, #52 (tied) , #52 (tied) Purdue, #52 (tied) Rutgers, Army, Harvard, Grand Canyon, #1 (NJCAA) North Idaho, #15 (NJCAA) Western Wyoming, Cal Baptist, Colorado State – Pueblo, and San Francisco State (Note:  all rankings are from intermatwrestle.com)

125 pounds – Micah Perez will start for the Wolfpack.  This will be his third tournament of the season.  He is doing a nice job as a freshman and is looking for some breakout wins this weekend.  He currently sits at 11-2.  Expected to compete are six wrestlers ranked in the top ten and another four in the top twenty nationally.  The highest ranked wrestler in the field is Nahshon Garrett, ranked 2^nd nationally, of Cornell.

133 pounds – Chris Wilkes will enter his second tournament of the season for the Wolfpack.  He is coming off a 2-1 showing at the North East Duals.  Chris is 9-2 on the season.  If Chris opens up and is offensive, he will have a great weekend.  In this weight class, there are six top twenty ranked wrestlers with another two wrestlers who were ranked in the top twenty last week.  The highest ranked wrestler in this weight class is #4 Joe Colon of Northern Iowa.

141 pounds – Sam Speno is coming off a great showing at the North East Duals.  Sam is 10-1 so far this season.  He went 3-0 last weekend and is looking to make a name for himself this weekend.  There are ten wrestlers in this weight class who have been ranked in the top twenty nationally over the last two weeks.  Defending NCAA Champion Logan Stieber is the wrestler to beat at 141 pounds.  Speno was pre-seeded eleventh.

149 pounds – Brian Hamann (10-2) notched his first win over a top fifteen ranked wrestler this past weekend.  He is looking to build momentum with that win.  He will have plenty of chances to do that this weekend as he will see eight wrestlers ranked in the top fifteen and nine wrestlers in the top twenty nationally.  Defending NCAA Champion, Kendric Maple anchors the list of title contenders this weekend.

157 pounds – Tommy Gantt is looking to rebound from last weekend’s performance.  Tommy is 8-2 so far this year.  Watch for him to “upset” some ranked wrestlers this weekend.  The 157 pound weight class features seven top twenty wrestlers, highlighted by #4 ranked Jake Sueflohn of Nebraska.

174 pounds – Peter Renda (9-1) is coming off a breakout performance this past weekend where he beat a top ten ranked wrestler.  Watch for more of that this weekend.  There are nine top twenty wrestlers in his weight class, including NCAA Champion Andrew Howe of Oklahoma.  Peter was pre-seeded twelfth.

184 pounds – Shayne Brady (6-2) has been a steady performer as a freshman.  He is looking for his first breakout win of the season.  With nine top twenty wrestlers in this weight class, he will have the opportunity to get some great wins.  Fourth-ranked Ryan Loder is the highest ranked wrestler in the weight class.

197 pounds – Lee Davis will start for the Pack this weekend.  Lee wrestled well in his last competition at the Wolfpack Duals.  He is 8-5 on the season and is improving every week.  There are seven top twenty ranked wrestlers in this weight class, including #2, #3, #5, and #6.

285 pounds – Nick Gwiazdowski has dominated the competition so far this year.  He is 10-0 and has picked up bonus points in every match.  With eight top twenty wrestlers in this weight class, he will see several quality opponents.  TJ Felix of Boise State is the second highest ranked wrestler in the weight class (to Gwiazdowski) as he enters with a #5 ranking.  Nick is seeded first.

Pat's Pop In

Pack Preview: Northeast Duals

A Wolfpack Thanksgiving

Pat's Pop In

Featured Freshman Series: Micah Perez

Micah Perez

125 lbs.

Central Union High School (El Centro, CA)

• 2nd Place NHSCA Senior Nationals (120 lbs)
• 2X 3rd Place California State Championships (103 & 113 lbs)
• 7th Place California State Championships (120 lbs)
• 3rd Fargo Junior Freestyle Nationals
• 2nd NHSCA Freshman Nationals (103 lbs)
• Undefeated (8-0) at 2011 Junior Freestyle National Duals
• Freestyle Champion Western Junior Regional (112 lbs)
• Greco Champion Western Junior Regional (112 lbs)
• 2nd Place Doc Buchanan 2012 (113 lbs)
• Las Vegas Freak Show Champion 2010
• 2nd Place Las Vegas Freak Show (2011 & 2012)
• 2nd Place Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt 2011 (103 lbs)
• 3rd Place Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt 2013 (120 lbs)

• Favorite Athlete: Johnny Hendricks
• Favorite Movie: Django Unchained
• Fun Fact: Considers himself an excellent dancer

This concludes our Featured Freshman Series for the 2013-2014 season.

Pack Preview: Wolfpack Duals

Pat's Pop In

Jamill Kelly NYAC Interview

Featured Freshman Series: Lee Davis

Lee Davis

197 lbs.

Mercer University / Holy Innocents' Episcopal School (Powder Springs, GA)

• 2012 GA State Champion 182 lbs.
• 2011 3rd Place GA State Championships 160 lbs.
• 2010 3rd Place GA State Championships 152 lbs.
• Sectional Champion
• 3X Area Champion
• 2X Team Captain
• 44-2 Senior Record
• Holy Innocents' Football Player of the Year
• 1A All-State Running Back Honorable Mention
• North Fulton/Forsyth Running Back of the Year

• Favorite Movie: The Last Dragon
• Favorite Athlete: Julio Jones
• Fun Fact: "I switched from football to wrestling because I saw a kid I lost to in high school wrestling and I still want revenge."

Wolfpack Open Preview: 197 lbs & HWT.

Wolfpack Open Preview: 174 & 184 lbs.

Wolfpack Open Preview: 157 & 165 lbs.

Wolfpack Open Preview: 141 & 149 lbs.

Wolfpack Open Preview: 125 & 133

Featured Freshman Series: Michael Macchiavello

Michael Macchiavello

184 lbs.

Sun Valley High School (Monroe, NC)

• 2012 and 2013 Flo-National All-American
• 3rd place at Flo 2013 as Senior
• 6th place at Flo 2012 as Junior
• 2012-2013 NC 4A State Champion
• First State Champion for the Sun Valley High School since 1993
• NC State Placer (3rd) in 2011-2012
• Career Record 185-28
• 3X SCC Conference Champion
• 2X SCC Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2012 and 2013
• 2X Team Captain for Wrestling team in 2012 and 2013
• Started for HS Football and Club Soccer teams
• Captain of the Football team recorded 156 tackles his senior year and led Union County as "Tackles Leader"
• Defensive MVP in 2012-2013
• Club Soccer team was 2x state finalist in the Classic A division (Kepner Cup)
• Finished in top 25% of class and was also Senior Class President
• Academic All-american for football senior year (4.0)

• Favorite Movie: All of the "Rush Hour" movies
• Favorite Athlete: Muhammed Ali and Ronaldinho
• Fun Fact: Thinks it would be awesome to play in the World Cup! 

Pat's Pop In

Featured Freshman Series: Shayne Brady

Shayne Brady

184 lbs.

Carthage Central High School (Carthage, NY)

• 2013 New York Division I State Champion (182 lbs)
• 2012 8th place Super 32 (182)
• 2012 New York Division I Runner-Up (170)
• 2011 New York Division I State Qualifier
• 2X NYS DI Section 3 Champion
• 2X Team Captain
• 2X NYS DI Section 3 Wrestling of the Year
• Carthage Central High School Athlete of the Year
• Senior Record: 32-1
• 215 Career Wins
• 4-year Honor Roll Student

• Favorite Athlete: Steve Prefontaine
• Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
• Fun Fact: Shayne likes to ice fish after weekend tournaments

Featured Freshman Series: Brian Hamann

Brian Hamann

149 lbs.

Jackson Memorial High School (Jackson, NJ)

• 3X New Jersey State Place-winner
• 5th Place Beast of the East
• Senior Record: 36-6

• Favorite Athlete: Frankie Edgar
• Favorite Movie: Rainman
• Fun Fact: Good with numbers ("Some friends call me Rainman")

Featured Freshman Series: Peter Santos

Peter Santos

165 lbs.

Oakmont High School (Antelope, CA)

• 2013 California State Champion (170 lbs)
• 2012 5th Place California State Championships (152 lbs)
• 3rd Place Ironman 2012
• 2012 Freakshow Champion
• 7th Place FloNationals 2012
• 2nd Place Doc Buchanan 
• 4X California State Qualifier
• Senior Record: 44-2
• Career Record: 179-22
• 3X Team Captain

Watch more video of Wrestling Prep 2013-2014 on flowrestling.org

Pat's Pop In

Wrestle-Offs Preview: Part 2

Wrestle-Off Preview: Part 1

Pat's Pop In

Pat's Pop In

Featured Freshman Series: Marshall Brown

Marshall Brown

125 lbs.

Onconee County High School (Watkinsville, GA)

• 2X Georgia AAA Runner-Up (106 & 113 lbs)
• 3X Georgia AAA Qualifier
• Member of Team finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th Georgia AAA
• Senior Record: 65-4
• Career Record: 217-51
• 2X Team Captain
• Academic Honor Roll

• Favorite Athlete: David Taylor
• Favorite Movie: Talladega Nights
• Fun Fact: Marshall is an Eagle Scout.

Featured Freshman Series: Jake DeAngelo

Jake DeAngelo

141 lbs.

Southern Alamance High School (Burlington, NC)

• 2013 North Carolina 4A State Champion - 132 lbs.
• 2012 North Carolina 4A Runner-up - 126 lbs.
• 3rd Place 2011 North Carolina 4A - 119 lbs.
• 3rd Place 2010 North Carolina 4A - 103 lbs.
• Senior Record: 53-0
• Career Record: 178-11
• Team Captain
• Graduated 6th out of 291 students
• 4.6 GPA

• Favorite Athlete: Derek Jeter
• Favorite Movie: Semi-Pro
• Fun Fact: "Mosquitoes refuse to bite me purely out of respect."

GoPack Press Release: NC State's 2013 Hall of Fame Class: Sylvester Terkay

Link to original release

Sylvester Terkay

Oct. 17, 2013

Purchase tickets | 2013 Hall of Fame Class

RALEIGH, N.C. - Sylvester Terkay arrived at NC State 23 years ago harboring more doubts than dreams.  

As a walk-on athlete he wondered if he could even make the Wolfpack’s highly regarded wrestling team. He also was apprehensive about the academic challenge at a school that turned out engineers and architects.  

More than more than 500 miles from his small, coal-mining hometown of Lawrence, Pa., he was in a different world. But Terkay adapted and the cloud of doubts eventually dissipated.  

He made the wrestling team, earned a scholarship, won four straight ACC titles, the 1993 NCAA championship, and set several school records.  

Turns out he was about as good in the classroom as on the mat, making first-team Academic All-American three years and graduating with a political science degree.  

In November, the Wolfpack’s big “Bear” will be reliving many fond memories when he returns to campus as a member of the 2013 NC State Athletic Hall of Fame class.  

“It’s humbling,” Terkay said of being one of the first 20 people elected. “It might be a little overwhelming for me.”  

Since leaving State, Terkay has been a pro wrestler, a pro fighter, and appeared in commercials and films. Now he’s back in Lawrence, single, and manning a sales position with Washington Automall.    

Once all that seemed so improbable, the long journey to success from Lawrence, which Terkay remembers as having one store, a post office and no stoplights when he was growing up.  

He had good times, tough times and sad times there. His mother died when he was 13. His father underwent two cancer surgeries, leaving older sister June to raise him with an assist from sister Deb, who was married and had her own children to nurture.  

Wresting was Terkay’s outlet and his passion. Early on he competed in the 138-pound class, but became the “Incredible Growing Man” who weighed 190 as a high school senior and finished at NC State as a 265-pound giant.   

Wolfpack coach Bob Guzzo knew about him, but didn’t recruit him.  

Terkay didn’t win any prep state titles or other big events and received zero scholarship offers from major programs. So he went to Chowan University at the behest of a friend, got hurt, and left school after one semester.  

“One point (at Chowan) I considered giving it all up,’’ Terkay said. “My sister June said: ‘No, hang in there. I’ll get you to a doctor.’”  

Terkay hung in there, rehabbed and in the summer of 1990 cranked up his 1976 Buick, drove to NC State and introduced himself to Guzzo. Then a supple 6-5, 225 pounds, he looked like a modern Samson with short hair and was about as strong.  

“He was very green, not very skilled on the mat,” Guzzo said. “But he had incredible strength. Off the charts.”  

Despite his muscle and might, Terkay said he was initially intimidated. He recalls how veteran teammate Brian Jackson “beat the daylights” out of him in practice. Later his freshman year a shoulder separation added to the agony.  

But Terkay showed grit and faith. Very religious, he found a “good church” in Raleigh, practiced hard, lifted weights fervently and long (sometimes over two hours before going to class), and spent most nights studying.   
Though amiable and popular with teammates, who elected him captain two seasons, Terkay wasn’t the partying type. He was the quieter, business type.  

“A great kid, very moralistic, a good representative” for the university, Guzzo said.   

Terkay’s first big breakthrough came in the decisive match of the 1990 ACC tournament. The Pack needed a pin to win and it was up to the “Bear,” who had been sidelined much of the season.  

Suspense swirled. Nerves tingled. Pressure mounted. But Guzzo remembers Terkay telling him before stepping on the mat: “Don’t worry, coach, I know what I’ve got to do.”  

That was to pin Maryland’s Matt Groom, which Terkay did, to give NC State the first of back-to-back ACC championships.  

“It was a big deal to win the ACC at that time,’’ Terkay said. “I was still hurt, but didn’t have time to heal.”  

For the next three years, opponents probably had rather grappled with a real grizzly than tangle with the Wolfpack’s “Bear.”   

Terkay went on to finish runner up in the 1992 NCAA finals, losing a heartbreaker. Ever resilient, he came back to claim the crown a year later with a quick pin, capping a perfect 41-0 season and a memorable college career.  

He left with a school record 122 victories, 64 pins, an 89.7 winning percentage and about a 3.3 academic average.  

“God orchestrated the events to get me there,” Terkay said, reflecting on his circuitous route to NC State. “He gave me a coach who knew me. Coach Guzzo helped me a lot more than you will ever know.”   

Terkay also cited volunteer coach Greg Hicks, strength coach William Hicks, tough workout partners like Brian Jackson, and support from the athletic department.   

“A lot of people cared about me,’’ he said.  

Terkay had strong family backing as well. His father was unable to see him wrestle, but followed his son through the newspapers. Sister June frequently made the arduous, 8 hour-plus trip from Lawrence to Raleigh to watch her brother compete, and Deb often rode with her.  

When Terkay won the NCAA crown in Iowa in 1993, both sisters were in the stands.  

“June and Deb pretty much raised me,’’ said a grateful Terkay. “June worked to make sure I was taken care of, made sure I did what I needed to do.”  

Terkay has pictures and newspaper clippings of the NC State glory days, but doesn’t dwell on them.  

“You walk a fine line of not living in the past,’’ he said. “I wanted to make sure I pressed forward.”  

So Terkay pressed on. He wrestled with the WWE, participated in mixed martial arts, and saw much of the world, competing in China, Thailand, and Japan, where he was voted most popular professional wrestler in 2002.   

Traveling more than Gulliver, he stopped along the way to appear in more than 40 commercials and play small roles in several films.  

He also taught at Christian wrestling camps, supported Athletes In Action, and today speaks openly about his faith. Terkay is profoundly thankful he wound up at NC State, where Guzzo’s friend, Tad Boggs, encouraged him to go.    

“They took a chance on me (and) I to make the college proud of me, show gratitude; I’m glad I could win something and give back,” said Terkay, a walk-on who didn’t walk away when life was tough. 

By A.J. Carr

#PackMentality Rewind: Darrion Caldwell

D1CW Releases 2013-2014 ACC Preview

Link to entire conference preview

2013-14 ACC Preview

     It has become a yearly tradition in college athletics these days, the shuffling of conferences. Schools have been jumping to new conferences, generally in order to strengthen their football and basketball scheduling.  In this instance, at least for a season, wrestling and more specifically the ACC gets stronger.  Pittsburgh, the winner of the last three EWL Championships, will travel down south and form a seven-team ACC. It will be short lived as Maryland will leave following the 2013-14 season.

Pittsburgh, though they have lost two 2012-13 All-Americans to graduation, still brings a very tough team into the ACC.  The Panthers will likely get a boost, as soon as this season, from their 2012-13 recruiting class which was ranked #2 overall in the nation by D1CW.  Virginia Tech, now a full-fledged national power, is fresh off of their first ACC Championship and returns three All-American's.  In-state rival Virginia, will field another very solid dual team that should preform better than last season in tournaments.  Speaking of tournament strength, the Maryland Terrapins are built for brackets with their 184-285lbers all being ranked in the top 9, and each has won two ACC titles.  North Carolina has made their way into D1CW's preseason National Rankings and will be an excellent tournament team, with three wrestlers ranked in the top ten as well.  The NC State's rebuilding is well underway with the #4 overall recruiting class coming into Raleigh.  Finally, Duke which is still below their fellow conference competitors, does seem to be heading in the right direction.

D1CW's Preseason ACC All-Conference Team

125:#8 Anthony Zanetta (Pittsburgh)

133: #11 George DiCamillo (Virginia)

141: #3 Devin Carter (Virginia Tech)

149: #12 (157) Zach Neibert (Virginia Tech)

157: NR Thomas Gantt (NC State)

165: #4 Nick Sulzer (Virginia)

174: #21 Stephen Doty (Virginia)

184: #3 Jimmy Sheptock (Maryland)

197: #9 Christian Boley (Maryland)

285: #4 Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State)

Here is a team-by-team look at the ACC, a conference that just seven years ago failed to produce a single All-American, but is now arguably the third toughest behind only tradition powerhouses the Big Ten and Big 12.

NC State Wolfpack

Head Coach: Pat Popolizio (2nd season)

Projected Lineup:

125-Joe DeAngelo (Sr) 2013 NCAA Qualifier

133-Chris Wilkes (Fr)

141-Sam Speno (So) 2013 NCAA Qualifier

149-Matt Nereim (Sr) 2012 NCAA Qualifier, 2012 ACC Runner-Up/Rodney Shepard (Fr)

157-Thomas Gantt (Jr)

165-Nijel Jones (Sr) Ranked #25, 2013 NCAA Qualifier/Peter Santos (Fr)

174-Peter Renda (Fr)

184-Michael Macchiavello (Fr)/Shayne Brady (Fr)

197-Karonne Jones (Sr)

285-Nick Gwiazdowski (So) Ranked #4, 2012 NCAA 8th Place, 2012 CAA Champ

Freshman to Watch:  Peter Renda (174) It appears that Peter Renda could be the best Freshman amongst NC State's #4 ranked recruiting class. He is college ready and should win matches right away at 174.

Potential Breakout Watch: Thomas Gantt (157) It says something about what Thomas Gantt's teammates and coaches think about him, naming him a team captain this year, despite having fiver other wrestlers on the team who have qualified for National's in the past.  In fact, two seasons ago, Gantt had a sub-.500 record on the season.  That being said, Gantt reportedly had a great offseason and made tremendous gains.

- Culture Change:  One of the biggest obstacles the Wolfpack coaching staff faced was changing the culture surrounding the team.  The team's cumulative GPA, which as once among the worst at NC State, has now risen above 3.0.  Not only are the grades up, the team is also very active in community service. 

-  Promotion:  It is apparent from the recruiting rankings that High School wrestlers have taken notice of the Wolfpack program.  The coaching staff is very active promoting the team through social media.  Just last week the team had a successful turnout for their "Brickyard Bash", a series of drills and practices outside which attempted to promote the sport to students on campus.

GoPack Press Release: Pack Wrestling Adds to Staff

GoPack.com Release

RALEIGH, N.C. - Head coach Pat Popolizio has announced additions to his staff, in preparation for the upcoming 2013-2014 season. Former Wolfpack head coach Bob Guzzo returns as the Director of High School and Alumni Relations, Olympic Bronze medalist Noel Loban is now the Director of Student-Athlete Development, and two-time NCAA qualifier Matt Kaylor has been named the volunteer assistant.

"We are excited to expand upon an already exceptional staff," said Popolizio, entering his second season at NC State. "The additions of Matt Kaylor and Bob Guzzo will benefit our student athletes and program tremendously. Noel Loban enters a reassigned role on the staff that will allow him to continue to work with and improve our team."

Bob Guzzo returns to the NC State wrestling staff as the Director of High School and Alumni Relations.  Guzzo led the Pack for 30 years in a storied career that produced 356 wins, 115 ACC wins, 13 ACC Tournament Championships, 24 All-Americans, and 4 NCAA National Champions.

"Coach Guzzo has a tremendous connection to the NC State alumni as well as high school coaches in North Carolina and across the country," said Popolizio. "He is going to help us build those relationships both locally and nationally."

Guzzo will also serve as a Wolfpack Wrestling Club coach where his years both coaching and competing at the highest levels will benefit the club greatly.

Kaylor is now the volunteer assistant coach for the Wolfpack, after spending last season as the volunteer assistant at Binghamton University.  Kaylor wrestled for Popolizio at Binghamton, and won 112 matches in his standout career.

"Matt brings outstanding work ethic to our program," said Popolizio. "Having coached him, I know he is very motivated and will be a huge benefit for our student athletes. He is a model of the character, work ethic, and integrity, characteristics we want as a part of our program at NC State."

Noel Loban is now serving as the Director of Student-Athlete Development, and as a Wolfpack Wrestling Club Coach.  Loban's background as an Olympic Medalist, multiple-time national champion, and certified personal trainer, will allow him to provide innovative training methods for the team and keep the program on the cutting edge.

"We are thrilled to have Noel Loban continue his work with the team," said Popolizio. "He is instrumental to the development of our team, especially technically and strategically.  In addition, he has helped a lot with cross-training and muscular conditioning."

The Pack opens its season November 1st with the Red and Wrestle-Offs in Carmichael Gym at 7 p.m.

Pat's Pop In

#PackMentalityRewind: Dustin Kawa

Featured Freshman Series: Dylan Ceravalo

Dylan Ceravalo

165/174 lbs.

Washington High School (Charles Town, WV)

• Career Record: 188-29
• Overall high school record (including off-season): 240-33
• Senior season record: 38-3
• 2011 WV AAA State Tournament (140lb): 1^st place Champion
• WV All Time Wins Ranking (Century Club): Ranked 8^th with 188 wins
• 3X Washington High School MVP Wrestling Award
• 3X Team Captain
• Washington High School’s first wrestling state champion
• WHS – Most Wins in a Season (56)
• WHS – Most Wins in a Career (188)
• WHS – Highest Season Winning % (93.3%)
• WHS – Highest Career Winning % (86.2%)
• WHS – Most Career Tech Falls
• WHS – Most Career Major Decisions
• 2013 WVSSAC AAA State Tournament (160lb): 2^nd place
• 2013 Region II (160lb): 1^st place
• 2013 Potomac Valley Conference (160lb): 1^st place
• 2012 Penn Manor Holiday Tournament (160lb): 1^st place, Most Outstanding Wrestler
• 2012 WVSSAC AAA State Tournament  (145lb): 3^rd place
• 2011 WVSSAC AAA State Tournament (140lb): 1^st place Champion
• 2010 WVSSAC AAA State Tournament (135lb): 3^rd place
• 2013 FloNationals (Indiana University, PA): Top 12 finish
• 2012 Super32 Challenge (Greensboro, NC): Top 12 finish
• 2012 Super32 Qualifier (Skyline HS, VA): 2^nd place
• 2012 Super32 Qualifier (Shippensburg University, PA): 1^st place
• 2012 MAWA Eastern National Championships (Salisbury, MD):1^st place Champion
• 2012 MAWA West Regional (Shippensburg University, PA): 1^st place Champion
• 4X Honor Roll
• 4.2 GPA (Summa Cum Laude)
• 4X WV-Mat Academic All-State Team
• Top 5% of class

• Favorite Movie: Saving Private Ryan
• Favorite Athlete: Joe Montana
• Fun Fact: Unlike most people, Dylan likes math.

Also, check out this GoPack.com press release on yesterday's #BrickyardBash. 

Pat's Pop In

#PackMentality Rewind & Outdoor Practice Announcement

GoPack.com Press Release:

NC State Wrestling to Host First Outdoor Practice

Fans and students invited to watch and interact with coaches and wrestlers in the Brickyard

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State students with a break between classes on Tuesday, October 8, will have a unique way to pass the time, as the Wolfpack wresting team will hold an outdoor practice in the Brickyard. Workouts will be held in one-hour segments from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. between the Atrium and the NC State Bookstore. 

“We are excited to showcase our program in this unique way,” said second-year head coach Pat Popolizio. “The recent events with Olympic wrestling being restored has taught the wrestling community to market more creatively.

“We want to have a strong student fan base here at NC State.  The outdoor practice is designed to help build that fan base, and show off the future of our program.”

T-shirts and posters will be given away throughout the day, and fans will get the chance to ask questions and learn about the sport of wrestling with both the coaching staff and the wrestlers.

In the event of rain, the outdoor practice will be canceled but members of the team and coaching staff will distribute posters and t-shirts inside the Atrium. GoPack.com will provide information if weather becomes an issue.

The Pack is concluding its preseason workouts, and this outdoor event will serve as a transition heading into the season, which begins November 17 with the Wolfpack Open.

Featured Freshman Series: Mikey Amorando

Mikey Amorando

165 lbs.

New Fairfield High School (New Fairfield, CT)

• 2X Connecticut Class M State Champion
• 2013 New England Champion
• Senior Record: 35-1
• Career Record: 132-17

• Favorite Movie: Get Him to the Greek
• Favorite Athlete: Eli Manning
• Fun Fact: Member of his high school choir and A Capella group.