NC State will play host to Virginia Tech on Friday, February 23 at 7:00 pm (ET) with the ACC dual title on the line. This incredible rivalry has the potential to feature 19 ranked wrestlers with amazing head-to-head matchups throughout. You can watch this dual on ESPN + but before it goes down, check out the probable lineups and a full preview with predictions for the dual in the below article.

NC State vs Virginia Tech Probables:

125: #7 Cooper Flynn, Virginia Tech vs #16 Jakob Camacho, NC State

133: #13 Sam Latona, Virginia Tech vs #5 Kai Orine, NC State

141: #13 Tom Crook, Virginia Tech vs #4 Ryan Jack, NC State

149: #2 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech vs #4 Jackson Arrington, NC State

157: #8 Bryce Andonian/Rafael Hipolito/Clayton Ulrey, Virginia Tech vs #17 Ed Scott, NC State

165: #19 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech vs #15 Derek Fields, NC State

174: #2 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech vs Alex Faison, NC State

184: #20 TJ Stewart, Virginia Tech vs #10 Dylan Fishback, NC State

197: #26 Andy Smith, Virginia Tech vs #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State

285: #18 Huter Catka, Virginia Tech vs  #12 Owen Trephan, NC State

125: #7 Cooper Flynn, Virginia Tech vs #16 Jakob Camacho, NC State

This dual will start with an awesome toss-up match between Camacho and Flynn that could set the tone for the night (that’s if they start at 125 of course). These two have never met in their college careers however they did wrestle last spring at the 2023 US Open where Camacho came out on top in a close, 4-2 decision. 

Despite that result, Cooper Flynn has put together a much better college season this year with wins over Brett Ungar, Noah Surtin, and Nico Provo while only suffering losses to Luke Stanich and Eric Barnett. Camacho hit a rough spell in the middle of the season losing 4 matches in a row to Troy Spratley, Brendan McCrone, Anthony Noto, and Trever Anderson. Camacho has wrestled better lately winning 5 in a row, but I’m predicting Flynn to come out top because of his consistency this year.

Camacho’s win over Flynn at the 2023 US Open:

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Prediction: Flynn by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 3, NC State 0

133: #13 Sam Latona, Virginia Tech vs #5 Kai Orine, NC State

Latona and Orine have wrestled 3 times in their career with Latona holding a 2-1 series lead. Despite the head-to-head results, Orine finds himself ranked 8 spots ahead of Latona due to Latona’s losses to lower-ranked wrestlers. Latona has dropped matches this year to Gabe Whisenhunt, Zeth Romney, Michael Colaiocco, Kade Moore, and Marlon Yarborough. However, Latona has proven throughout his career to wrestle his best at the end of the year. So what should we expect on Friday night? This is another coin-flip match that I expect to be highly competitive. I’m rolling with Orine year but I wouldn’t be surprised if Latona comes out on top.

Latona’s win over Orine at the 2023 NCAA Tournament:

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Prediction: Orine by decision 

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 3, NC State 3

141: #13 Tom Crook, Virginia Tech vs #4 Ryan Jack, NC State

Tom Crook and Ryan Jack met twice last season with Jack winning both matches - 2-1 and 8-2. Both Jack and Ryan have tallied impressive wins this season and I expect their match on Friday night to be decided by a takedown or less. Because of their history, I’m predicting Jack wins but this could be a weight where Virginia Tech pulls off an upset.

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Prediction: Jack by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 3, NC State 6

149: #2 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech vs #4 Jackson Arrington, NC State

Like at 141 with Jack and Crook, Henson and Arrington wrestled two times last season with Henson winning both matches - 4-2 and 6-1. While Arrington has been very good this year with several ranked wins, Henson has established himself as a title contender and is a significant favorite in this matchup. 

Prediction: Henson by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 6, NC State 6

157: #8 Bryce Andonian/Rafael Hipolito/Clayton Ulrey, Virginia Tech vs #17 Ed Scott, NC State

It’s highly unlikely that Bryce Andonian will be back in action Friday night against Scott. Rafael Hipolito will be a solid replacement for Andonian but All-American Ed Scott should be considered a big favorite. Scott already defeated Andonian this year at the CKLV and has established himself as one of the best 157-pound wrestlers in the country over the past few years. 

Ed Scott’s win over Bryce Andonian at the 2023 CKLV:

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Prediction: Scott by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 6, NC State 9

165: #19 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech vs #15 Derek Fields, NC State

The match at 165 between Brady and Fields isn’t the highest-profile match of the night but it’s a coin-flip match and could play a big part in deciding the outcome of the dual. The two have put together similar seasons but I’m picking Brady in this match simply because he’s more experienced than first-year starter Fields.

Prediction: Brady by decision 

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 9, NC State 9

174: #2 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech vs Alex Faison, NC State

Mekhi Lewis will be a big favorite in his potential match against Faison on Friday night. However, it’s worth noting that Faison pushed Lewis to the brink at the ACC tournament last year with Lewis winning in tie-breakers, 2-1. Even with Faison wrestling Lewis close, I’d be surprised if their match on Friday night goes to overtime again, and am expecting Lewis to win a controlling decision.

Hear Mekhi Lewis talk about the heated rivalry with NC State:

Prediction: Lewis by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 12, NC State 9

184: #20 TJ Stewart, Virginia Tech vs #10 Dylan Fishback, NC State

The potential matchup at 184 pounds between Fishback and Stewart is a fascinating one and will tell us a lot about what we can expect from both wrestlers moving into the postseason. Fishback has put together a solid freshman campaign highlighted by wins over All-Americans Chris Foca and Trey Munoz. Stewart has come on strong in the past few weeks and is coming off an impressive overtime win over Reece Heller (who notably defeated Fishback this year). Despite that win from Stewart, Fishback has proven to be the more complete wrestler this year and he’s my pick to win on Friday night. 

Prediction: Fishback by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 12, NC State 12

197: #26 Andy Smith, Virginia Tech vs #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State

Trent Hidlay has been a man on a mission this season compiling a 21-0 record with bonus points in 18 of his matches - 4 pins, 11 techs, and 3 majors. Hidlay and Smith have never wrestled in their college careers and although Smith is solid, Hidlay is the big favorite in this matchup. I expect Hidlay to control the bout from the first whistle and push for bonus points against Smith.

Prediction: Hidlay by major decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 12, NC State 16

285: #18 Huter Catka, Virginia Tech vs  #12 Owen Trephan, NC State

Owen Trephan and Hunter Catka have wrestled 4 times in their college careers with Trephan owning a 3-1 record over Catka in the rivalry. Trephan won both matches last season and interestingly enough, both matches were decided in overtime. All signs point to this being another tight bout that should be decided by the slimmest of margins. Trephan has put together a slightly better year than Catka up to this point so he’s my pick to win again on Friday night. 

Trephan’s win over Catka at the 2022 Southern Scuffle:

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Prediction: Trephan by decision

Team Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 12, NC State 19

Dual Summary - Is NC State A Lock To Win?

Although I have NC State winning by 7 points over Virginia Tech, the Hokies can absolutely come out on top. All it will take for the Hokies to win the dual is to flip 2 of the toss-up matches I have NC State winning at 133, 141, 184, and 285. Regardless of what happens on Friday, this is a can’t-miss dual and should be incredible from start to finish!