The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1364233
38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE he NC State wrestling pro- gram has won eight individ- ual NCAA championships, a total that is tied for 23rd in the sport's history. While winning gold at na- tionals is the pinnacle of col- lege wrestling, a feat that has proven to be even more rare in Wolfpack history is placing among the top three at NCAAs multiple times. Fifth-year senior Tariq Wilson became the fourth to do so this season, taking third for the second time in his career. This year's run came at 141 pounds and allowed him to join a trio of former national champions (Nick Gwiazdowski, Scott Turner and Syl- vester Terkay) in the exclusive club. Perhaps as impressive as the accomplish- ment is the fashion in which Wilson did it. After being pinned in controversial fashion with one second left in the first period of the semifinals, Wilson dominated his two remaining foes in the consolation bracket by a combined score of 27-6. He won both by such a wide margin that they were major decisions, earning the Wolf- pack "bonus points" in the team standings. Wilson tweeted the night after his semi- finals loss: "You have high points and low points in life, but what you do after you hit that low point will speak volumes about yourself." There couldn't have been a more re- sounding response from Wilson after his loss, and in a team race that was expected to be close — and was, with only six team points separating the sixth-place Wolfpack from fourth, which earns a coveted team trophy — those points were crucial. NC State finished four team points ahead of the two squads that tied for seventh for its second-best finish ever, and Wilson's bonus points alone in his final two bouts provided half that difference. "After I lost in the semis, we got back to the hotel and had a meeting with Pat [Popolizio, the head coach]," Wilson remembered. "He told us that it was up to us to decide where we wanted to finish; the ball was in our court. We could be satisfied with being an All-American [semifinal losers are guaranteed a top-six fin- ish], or we could push on the back end with guys getting wins and major points. "That was a main emphasis, to go out there and get bonus points. I kept that in my mind, and the coaches kept telling me to score points, get the major. … It made me feel good that I went out there after a tough loss, had fun and finished third, got the next best thing." It was actually a familiar position, and result, for Wilson. During his redshirt freshman season, he en- tered the NCAA Championships unseeded at 133 pounds and shocked the wrestling world by beating a pair of top-five seeds to make an unexpected run to the semifinals, where he took the No. 1 seed and eventual national champ to overtime before being pinned. He bounced back with another strong statement, showing the semifinal run was no fluke and racking up a pair of major deci- sions (30-11 combined score) en route to his first third-place finish. Every team point mattered back then as well. NC State was able to claim its first — and the ACC's second — NCAA team trophy by tying for fourth place, which wouldn't have been the case without Wil- son's bonus points. "In my mind, I knew that wasn't the end for me," he said of his mindset following both semifinal losses. "The tournament wasn't over, and I could still go back and get third. Just because I didn't accomplish my goals of being in the finals and winning, I still had the team to think about. I had to be selfless about that, and go out there and compete for my team. I fell short, but that happens." "It shows true character," Popolizio added. "Tariq knew that team points were going to be extremely valuable, and for him to go out there and dominate, put up points like that, speaks volumes. They're All-Americans that he's wrestling at that point, and his results were very impressive." In both instances, Wilson noted the key was for him to just go out there and en- joy competing — something that may have been easier in 2021, after having his NCAA opportunity taken away the year prior. "When I All-Americaned my freshman year, I had to wrestle tough guys, needed razor-sharp focus and had to have fun," he admitted. "That's the same mindset I had this past season. I went out there and just enjoyed the moment of wrestling, not really thinking too much ahead, but being in the moment and having fun. T TARIQ THE FREAK All-American Wrestler Tariq Wilson Looks To Continue Reaching Uncommon Accomplishments