Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

N.C. State Wrestling Alumnus Makes 2025 U.S. Senior Freestyle World Team

NEWARK, N.J. – NC State wrestling class of 2024 alumnus Trent Hidlay has earned a spot on the 2025 U.S. Senior Freestyle World Team at 92 kg and is set to represent the United States at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, September 13-21.

The two-time NCAA Finalist for the Wolfpack has torn through the freestyle circuit this season. Hidlay made his way to Newark after winning the U.S. Open in Las Vegas in April, automatically punching his ticket to compete at Final X. The series was best two-of-three at the Prudential Center but it only took the Lewistown, Pa. native the first two bouts to knock out current Penn State wrestler Josh Barr.

Hidlay becomes just the second alumnus of the NC State wrestling program to make the U.S. Senior Freestyle World Team. Two-time heavyweight national champion for the Pack Nick Gwiazdowski was the first … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/6/16/wrestling-alumnus-makes-2025-us-senior-freestyle-world-team

June 27, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

N.C. State Wrestling Adds Malik McDonald as Assistant Coach

RALEIGH – NC State wrestling head coach Pat Popolizio has added former Wolfpack wrestler Malik McDonald to his staff as an assistant coach.
The Hope Mills, N.C. native wrestled for Popolizio from 2014-2019, qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the 2017 and 2019 seasons at 197 lbs. During the 2018 season he competed at the U23 World Team Trials, garnering All-American honors with a fourth place finish at 97kg. In 2019 he won the ACC title for his weight class, helping the squad earn the 2019 ACC team trophy. After graduating from NC State with a degree in Social Work, McDonald has continued to pursue his passion for wrestling.  McDonald first worked as a volunteer coach for Clarion for the 2019-20 season, followed by taking the head assistant role at Long Island for the 2020-21 season. The Pack alumnus rejoins his alma mater after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at Kent State from 2021-25 where he also gained his Master of Arts in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
While wrestling for Popolizio he finished his career with 83 wins and two 20-win seasons. … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/6/24/wrestling-adds-malik-mcdonald-as-assistant-coach

June 27, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kent State Names Josh Moore as Wrestling Program’s Seventh Head Coach

KENT, Ohio – Kent State Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond announced today the hiring of Josh Moore as the seventh head coach in Golden Flashes wrestling history. Moore, who previously served as head coach at Cleveland State University for seven years, returns to Kent State, where he began his coaching career as an assistant coach from 2004-2015.
“We are very excited to welcome Josh and his family back to Kent State,” said Richmond. “His deep connection to our program and his proven track record of developing championship caliber wrestlers on the mat, in the classroom, and throughout the community makes him the ideal leader for the next era of Golden Flashes wrestling.”
Moore brings 21 years of Division I coaching experience to the position, including impressive achievements at Kent State and Cleveland State. During his tenure as head coach at Cleveland State, he guided the program to national recognition, helping the Vikings achieve one of the top team GPAs in the nation over the past five years while leading the MAC in Individual Academic All-Americans.
His coaching accomplishments include mentoring 10 All-Americans and 69 NCAA Division I qualifiers throughout his career. At Kent State, Moore was instrumental in developing the program’s first-ever NCAA champion, Dustin Kilgore, and helped guide the Golden Flashes to four top-25 team finishes at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. “Coming back to Kent State as the Head Coach is truly a dream come true for my family and me,” said Moore. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and fired up to bring the energy, passion, and purpose every single day. Ohio wrestling family, Let’s build something special-together!”
Beyond his coaching success, Moore has demonstrated exceptional leadership in academic achievement and community engagement. He helped Cleveland State Wrestling earn a perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2023-2024 and has been instrumental in maintaining team GPAs above 3.25 throughout his career. His fundraising efforts have generated significant support for wrestling programs, including leading Cleveland State as the top Giving Day Ambassador and securing over $200,000. … more at … https://kentstatesports.com/news/2025/6/13/kent-state-names-josh-moore-as-wrestling-programs-seventh-head-coach.aspx

June 27, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment