The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1456098
TRACKING THE PACK 12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER wolfpacker spotlight HAYDEN HIDLAY Wrestling Sixth-year senior 174-pounder Hayden Hidlay brought one of the wrestling program's most incredi- ble feats into the final weekend of the regular season, a pair of home matches against nationally ranked foes North Carolina (No. 22) and Virginia Tech (No. 7). The four-time ACC champion was 32-0 against con- ference competition, but his Senior Night against the rival Tar Heels did not go as planned. Despite jump- ing out to a 3-0 lead, Hidlay was thrown to his back and pinned by his top-10 opponent. Hidlay later estimated it was the first time he had been pinned since fifth grade. It also marked his first dual meet loss since De- cember 2018 (he had won 42 straight), and the first time he lost by bonus points in college (against 71 such victories). On the night he was celebrated, his career record dropped to 102-9 … and the tougher test awaited Sunday against Virginia Tech star and former NCAA champion Mekhi Lewis, who had not suffered a non- injury-related college loss since the 2018-19 season. Hidlay responded with a 3-1 overtime victory over Lewis, after which he let out a celebratory roar to the delight of most of the 2,680 fans in attendance. Although his Senior Night had been ruined by one of the most shocking losses of the entire college wrestling season, the program's first four-time All- American bounced back to be sent off in spectacular fashion after the victory. "Friday night against Carolina is up there with one of my worst career losses, and this is for sure my biggest career win," he said. "It's crazy how all that happened within the span of about 48 hours. "It was a career loss that was haunting and embar - rassing for me. Then I turn around two days later and … I've never beaten an NCAA champion before. Tonight was the night. I felt in control, and I stuck to the game plan." All three super seniors in the lineup — Hid- lay, All-American 149-pounder Tariq Wilson and 165-pounder Thomas Bullard — won against the Hokies, securing the squad's third unbeaten confer- ence campaign in the last five years. Many longtime wrestling observers felt after Hidlay's win it was the loudest Reynolds has ever been for a match. "To see how they responded to Thomas, to me and to Tariq was beyond my wildest dreams," Hidlay said. "The crowd was as good as I can ever remem- ber here. … It was great to put on a show for them one last time." — Ryan Tice/Photo courtesy NC State athletics