NC State wrestlers top Virginia Tech; Hidlay’s muscle out crucial victories

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: February 21, 2022

courtesy of NC State Athletics
RALEIGH, N.C. – The #4 NC State wrestling team completed its regular season by defeating rival #7 Virginia Tech for the fourth time in the past five years inside Reynolds Coliseum Sunday night, 21-10.

The Pack won the first four bouts all by decision to jump out to a 12-0 lead. The Hokies responded with the next three to pull it to within 12-10. But NC State won the last three bouts of the night.

The bout started at 165 pounds as #21 Thomas Bullard scored the bout’s lone takedown in the second period, and racked up 1:01 of ride time for a 4-0 decision.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the season, a top-five battle at 174 pounds, #4 Hayden Hidlay scored the lone takedown of the match with 24 seconds left in OT to come away with a 3-1 win over #3 Mekhi Lewis.

Brother, #3 Trent Hidlay, followed with his own hard-fought decision at 184 pounds with a 3-1 win over #14 Bolen. The bout didn’t feature a takedown, as both got an escape, but a second period illegal move by Bolen while on top was the difference.

#15 Isaac Trumble secured takedowns in both the first and third periods, and added in 2:43 of ride time, to get a 6-0 shutout over #30 Howard.

The Hokies first win came at heavyweight, as #14 Traxler scored the winning takedown with 18 seconds left to defeat Owen Trephan 3-2.

At the break, the Pack led 12-3.

#20 Sam Latona scored the upset over #14 Camacho at 125 pounds, with two takedowns and a two-point near fall in the third led for a 9-3 decision. The lone bonus point win of the dual was by the Hokies at 133 pounds, as #5 Myers scored a 14-6 major decision over #14 Kai Orine.

The Pack broke a three-bout winning streak at 141 pounds, as #24 Ryan Jack scored the only takedown of the bout in the first period and added in 1:37 of ride time for a 4-3 decision over #22 Gerardi.

The Pack clinched the dual with a top-5 win at 149 pounds. #3 Tariq Wilson collected takedowns in the first and third period – also with a reversal into a two-point near fall in the second – and went out in style inside Reynolds with a 9-3 decision over #5 Andonian.

#11 Ed Scott closed the dual with a 4-3 decision over #28 Brady.

Up Next: With the dual season completed, the Pack now heads to the postseason. The 2022 ACC Championships will be held at Virginia on Sunday, March 6.

#4 NC State 21, #7 Virginia Tech 10
165: #21 Thomas Bullard (NCSU) dec. Clayton Ulrey; 4-0 – 3-0
174: #4 Hayden Hidlay (NCSU) dec. #3 Mekhi Lewis; 3-1 (SV1) – 6-0
184: #3 Trent Hidlay (NCSU) dec. #14 Hunter Bolen; 2-1 – 9-0
197: #15 Isaac Trumble (NCSU) dec. #30 Dakota Howard; 6-0 – 12-0
285: #14 Nathan Traxler (VT) dec. Owen Trephan; 3-2 – 12-3
125: #20 Sam Latona (VT) dec. #14 Jakob Camacho; 9-3 – 12-6
133: #5 Korbin Myers (VT) major dec. #14 Kai Orine; 14-6 – 12-10
141: #24 Ryan Jack (NCSU) dec. #22 Collin Gerardi; 4-3 – 15-10
149: #3 Tariq Wilson (NCSU) dec. #5 Bryce Andonian; 9-3 – 18-10
157: #11 Ed Scott (NCSU) dec. #28 Connor Brady; 4-3 – 21-10