NC State wrestling has finished the 2025-26 regular season ranked No. 8 in the final National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) team poll. This marks the 11th consecutive year that the program, led by head coach Pat Popolizio, has ended the regular season inside the top ten.
The team’s consistent performance at a national level began in 2016. In Popolizio’s fourth year as head coach, NC State jumped from a No. 17 finish in February 2015 to second in the country by February 2016. That season also saw a program-best dual record of 23-1 and included victories over several highly ranked opponents such as Iowa, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Old Dominion.
In recent years, NC State’s rankings have remained strong: third in 2023 and seventh in both 2021 and 2024. The team closed out this season with a dual record of 15-4 and currently has six wrestlers ranked among the top ten nationally in their respective weight classes according to InterMat.
Looking ahead to postseason competition in March, redshirt-sophomore Vincent Robinson will attempt to defend his national title at 125 pounds after winning last year at the NCAA Championships held in Philadelphia. Heavyweight Isaac Trumble enters his final national tournament with an undefeated record of 14-0 and ten bonus point wins; he previously earned All-American honors with a fourth-place finish despite competing on an injured knee.
“10 years later, and the Pack is still a top contender on the national level under Popolizio,” states the release.