The N.C. State wrestling team faces two tough challenges this weekend as it travels to Chapel Hill on Friday to take on the Tar Heels at 7 p.m., then hosts Old Dominion in Reynolds Coliseum at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The last time out on the mat for the Wolfpack (8-6 overall, 1-1 ACC) was one wrestlers would like to forget, losing 43-3 against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. In fact, the only wrestler who won a match in the contest was 149-pounder Darrion Caldwell, who defeated his 16th opponent ranked inside the top-10 this season.
But coach Carter Jordan said the team can learn from competing against much tougher opponents on the road.
“When we wrestle teams like [Oklahoma State], you know what you have to do,” Jordan said. “Even though we didn’t get the win, it makes the conference matches not quite as difficult.”
One wrestler who has been showing improvement over the last few matches is heavyweight Eloheim Palma. While Palma did not win his match against Oklahoma State, he has been competing much better recently.
Out of all the weight classes that the Pack competed in this past weekend, Palma lost by only four points, and won the previous match against conference foe Duke.
Jordan said he loves to see the improvement from Palma, but when the Pack competes against the Tar Heels, he wants to see everyone battling for a good seeding in the ACC Tournament.
“We need to win this dual for seeding in the ACC Tournament,” Jordan said. “It’s tough to come out and wrestle after a loss like we had this past weekend, but they need to know they are wrestling against guys that they will be competing against later for a championship.”
The feud between State and UNC is unmatched to any rivalry, and if it is not apparent just ask any Pack fan. Whatever the sport is, State fans want to see a win over their cross-town rival and wrestling is no exception.
Some wrestlers, like Durham native Colton Palmer, a redshirt junior in the157-pound weight class, feed off the rivalry and feel the same hatred for North Carolina as the fans.
“I definitely do not like UNC,” Palmer said. “My brothers were Duke and UNC fans, being from Durham, but I always liked N.C. State. I’m really looking forward to competing against them and the fact that the guy I’m going against is a guy who is ranked makes it even better.”
On the other hand, some wrestlers, like redshirt junior 141-pounder Darrius Little, view the conference match as just another match that will help him later on in the year.
“I know that the fans get into the UNC rivalry, but I just have to look at it as another match,” Little said. “If I win the match it will help me towards my own goals that I have for myself this season of competing in Nationals.”
While Old Dominion may not be quite as important to Pack fans, the Monarchs have competed in and won some crucial matches so far this season. This first two matches will be substantial for State, as the 125-pounder for the Monarchs, James Nicholson, is ranked No. 4 in the nation and their 133-pounder, Kyle Hutter, is ranked No. 12 in the nation.
But the Pack will be able to combat its two ranked opponents with Little and Caldwell, who are ranked No. 24 and No. 1 in the nation, respectively. Palmer knows that the Pack will have its hands full with both opponents, but he hopes to see a lot of fans come out and support the team.
“I really hope that fans come out and support us,” Palmer said. “We need some support to win both of these matches. We need some fan support at Carolina and at home.”
