North Carolina State University Athletics
Renda and Jack to Compete at 52nd NWCA All-Star Classic
10/17/2017 3:08:00 PM | Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. – For the first time in school history, the NC State wrestling team will be sending a pair of wrestlers to compete NWCA All-Star Classic main event matches. Seniors Kevin Jack (141 pounds) and Pete Renda (184) will be competing in the preseason event in Princeton, N.J. on November 5.
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To start the 2017-18 season, Jack is ranked No. 2 nationally by both FloWrestling and Win Magazine at 141 pounds, while Renda is No. 3 nationally in both preseason polls at 184 pounds.
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"This is a very prestigious honor for both Kevin and Pete," said NC State head coach Pat Popolizio. "This will kick off the season with a lot of excitement. The NWCA does a great job promoting this event, and going back for the fourth straight year, I know it will be a first class event and a very good early test for both guys." Â
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Renda will be facing All-American Drew Foster from Northern Iowa, who placed seventh at last year's NCAA Championships. Jack will face former NC State teammate and Wyoming's Bryce Meredith. The two have faced off three times in the last two NCAA Championships, with Jack winning the last contest by pin in last year's third place bout.
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Last year, Kevin Jack became NC State's ninth two-time All-American, as he placed third at the 2017 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds – following up a fifth place finish as a freshman in 2015. In addition, Jack has won back-to-back ACC titles at his weight.
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Pete Renda returns to the Wolfpack lineup this season after redshirting last year. The last time he was in an NC State singlet, Renda upset four top-10 seeds in the 2016 NCAA Championships and earned All-American honors with a third place finish.
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While this is the first year two from NC State will be featured in the main event matches, this will be the fourth straight year NC State has been represented in the event overall.
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Nick Gwiazdowski was the first Wolfpack wrestler to compete at the event in 2014, and each of the last two seasons former Wolfpack wrestler Max Rohskopf notched victories to get the Wolfpack's season underway.
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The matches at the All-Star Classic are exhibitions, and do not count towards the season records.
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For more information on the All-Star Classic, click HERE.
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To start the 2017-18 season, Jack is ranked No. 2 nationally by both FloWrestling and Win Magazine at 141 pounds, while Renda is No. 3 nationally in both preseason polls at 184 pounds.
Â
"This is a very prestigious honor for both Kevin and Pete," said NC State head coach Pat Popolizio. "This will kick off the season with a lot of excitement. The NWCA does a great job promoting this event, and going back for the fourth straight year, I know it will be a first class event and a very good early test for both guys." Â
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Renda will be facing All-American Drew Foster from Northern Iowa, who placed seventh at last year's NCAA Championships. Jack will face former NC State teammate and Wyoming's Bryce Meredith. The two have faced off three times in the last two NCAA Championships, with Jack winning the last contest by pin in last year's third place bout.
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Last year, Kevin Jack became NC State's ninth two-time All-American, as he placed third at the 2017 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds – following up a fifth place finish as a freshman in 2015. In addition, Jack has won back-to-back ACC titles at his weight.
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Pete Renda returns to the Wolfpack lineup this season after redshirting last year. The last time he was in an NC State singlet, Renda upset four top-10 seeds in the 2016 NCAA Championships and earned All-American honors with a third place finish.
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While this is the first year two from NC State will be featured in the main event matches, this will be the fourth straight year NC State has been represented in the event overall.
Â
Nick Gwiazdowski was the first Wolfpack wrestler to compete at the event in 2014, and each of the last two seasons former Wolfpack wrestler Max Rohskopf notched victories to get the Wolfpack's season underway.
Â
The matches at the All-Star Classic are exhibitions, and do not count towards the season records.
Â
For more information on the All-Star Classic, click HERE.
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