The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1249704
MAY/JUNE 2020 ■ 19 "I've been given some pretty rough hands, in terms of the cards I've gotten, but I don't really dwell on those things," he said. "I know if I can have my moment where I truly maximize my potential, that's good enough for me. I still have a whole year to do that, and things are on track for me to do what I came here to do." In the end, his college career may wind up very similar to his high school days. Though he was a highly touted recruit, Hid- lay did not win a coveted state champion- ship until his senior year. "I was never able to crack the code; I never really beat somebody that I wasn't supposed to beat," he recalled of his first three years in high school. "Then, my senior year, I just put so much work in, there was such a high level of focus that whenever I went out there it was all domination. "There was never any looking back and saying, 'Wow, I only have one more oppor- tunity to do this.' I never did that because I was too focused on what was ahead of me. "Next year, it's the same thing. I was an 18-year-old kid when I did that; now I'm al- most 23 years old and I'm back in the same spot. Things are starting to come full circle. "If I go out there and do the best I can, I'm going to be in position where I can win every match. … The ultimate goal is to win it all next year and be dominant. That's re- ally the only thing that I have in my mind." While in Hidlay's own words next year counts for double, there will be a second title he is chasing in addition to the indi- vidual gold medal. "I think this team is going to be as good and as talented as any other team out there," he said. "All I want is for us to really be able to maximize our potential, and that has to happen at the NCAA Tournament. It's the expectation that we win ACCs — dual meets and tournament — but I think this is a team that can really push for a team national title. "I know there are not a whole lot of peo- ple out there that believe that, but as long as we do that's the only thing that matters. That's going to be the ultimate goal." Fortunately, the Pack will have the ulti- mate leader to follow on its quest. ■ Hidlay was named both the ACC Wrestler and Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the sport after he went 28-1 and earned the No. 2 seed for the NCAA Championships. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS " I guess next year is just worth double. … I encourage you all to double down with me. Hidlay in a post-coronavirus letter to his teammates that the athletics department turned into a viral video on Twitter