44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER
BY BRIAN REINHARDT
oming off a sixth con-
secutive ACC champi-
onship, the NC State
w re s t l i n g te a m h a s
big expectations once
again for the upcom-
ing season. The Pack
returns six of its seven
ACC champs from last season, but there
are questions heading into the start of
coach Pat Popolizio's 13th campaign.
The lineup could look different from
what wrestling fans were expecting.
"We lose great leaders every year. Ev-
erybody moves on when their careers
come to end," Popolizio said. "I think
what has made us fortunate is we have
had great mentors and developed great
leaders to fill those roles. Our young guys
have been around greatness, and they
have seen what it takes to elevate this pro-
gram. Now it's their turn to take the lead."
Here is a breakdown of all 10 weight
classes before the wrestle-offs take
place:
125 pounds
Jakob Camacho came to NC State as
a freshman way back in the summer
of 2018, and this season will be his fi-
nal campaign. He's a three-time ACC
champion, but he's still trying to reach
the podium at NCAAs, where he has
gone 2-2 each of his three trips and
missed out on All-America honors.
Camacho will start his redshirt senior
season ranked in the top 10. He did miss
freestyle action this past summer af-
C
TOP POSITION
A Revamped Team Will Seek NC State's
Seventh Consecutive ACC Wrestling Crown
Redshirt senior Kai Orine, a two-time All-American and ACC champ at 133 pounds, is expected to move to 141 this season.
PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS
