The Numbers in the NC State/Virginia Tech Rivalry

Earlier today, Robbie Wendell posted his preview of the weekend in the ACC, a slate that’s headlined by one of the best rivalries in the sport, #7 NC State hosts #12 Virginia Tech. 

This is a rivalry that has really grown over the past decade which really coincides with the arrival of Pat Popolizio, who was hired by NC State in the spring of 2012. At that point, Virginia Tech was under the direction of Kevin Dresser and had just finished in a tie for 11th place at the 2012 NCAA Championships, which was the best in school history. The Hokies had a bit of a head start on their way to becoming a consistent power. 

NC State’s rise got a boost from Nick Gwiazdowski, who wrestled for a year at Binghamton under Popolizio. After Popolizio accepted the head coaching position at NC State, Gwiazdowski came aboard, redshirted, and then won back-to-back national titles. Though the Hokies were significantly better in dual and at the ACC Championships, the Wolfpack had a national champion in only Popolizio’s second year in Raleigh. 

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