Nick Gwiazdowski was an NCAA runner-up to Kyle Snyder this past season (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)RALEIGH, N.C. -- Two new additions to the Wolfpack Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC) will be familiar faces for NC State wrestling fans. 2016 All-Americans Tommy Gantt and Nick Gwiazdowski will both continue their wrestling careers staying in Raleigh, and training at the Wolfpack Olympic Regional Training Center.
The training center is already home to multiple US Open place winners, University National All Americans, and World Team Members. Continuing to build upon that success, NC State head coach Pat Popolizio is excited to announce two additions to the RTC here in Raleigh.
"Tommy and Nick staying in Raleigh is a great asset to our program," said Popolizio. "They bring a wealth of knowledge to our practice room. Most importantly, their attitude and character will help mentor future and current athletes here at NC State.
"We are looking to grow our Regional Training Center and are looking to do it the right way, and bring the right attitudes into our program. All of our RTC guys represent first class individuals. Anyone associated with the RTC will have an immediate impact on NC State's growth and development, as they are paving the way for future RTC athletes."
Gwiazdowski goes down as one of the best wrestlers in NC State history. A four-time All-American, Gwiazdowski was the NCAA champion at heavyweight in both 2014 and 2015, and was runner-up in 2016. After transferring from Binghamton, Gwiazdowski went 110-3 during his Wolfpack career, including a perfect 55-0 in duals.
He was also one of the most dominant wrestlers in ACC history. In his three-year NC State career, he was 28-0 against all ACC competition, with 23-bonus point wins. In all three of his seasons, he led the conference with the most individual dual points in conference action, going a perfect 16-0 in ACC duals. Gwiazdowski was only the second wrestler in the conference's history to be named ACC Wrestler of the Year three times.
"I've had a lot of success here in Raleigh and here at NC State there are a lot of individuals who care a lot about me and my career," said Gwiazdowski. "I'm with people I trust and training along side athletes that I can positively impact their careers, while working toward my own goals of being the best in the world"
It was a long journey for Gantt at NC State. They only leftover from the previous coaching staff, Gantt went 12-13 as a freshman in 2012. Improvement was shown as a sophomore going 16-9, but it wasn't until his junior season he made noise nationally.
Gantt went 35-10 as a junior in 2014, and was one win away from All-American honors. The coaching staff decided to redshirt him in 2015, and the benefits paid off as he won his first ACC Championship and earned All-American honors at 157 pounds at the 2016 NCAA Championships.
"I constantly improved during my time wresting here at NC State," said Gantt. "We have all the resources, coaches and training partners you need to take that next step. I consider NC State my home, and I look forward to working at the RTC and improving as a wrestler."
Gantt (74 kg) and Gwiazdowski (125 kg) are joined in training at the Wolfpack Olympic Regional Training Center by: current NC State assistant coaches Obe Blanc (57 kg) and Adam Hall (70 kg), former Wolfpack wrestler Quinton Godley (70 kg) and former Wisconsin wrestler Timmy McCall (86 kg).
Just within the last year, the Wolfpack Olympic Regional Training Center has posted positive results in international competitions.
Gwiazdowski (125 kg) Hall (70 kg) both won their weight classes at the University Nationals in June, and advanced to compete for the U.S. at the University World Championships in Corum, Turkey October 25-30. Gantt placed third in his weight class, going 6-1 with four tech fall wins.
Back in April, Blanc, Godley, Gwiazdowski and Hall all traveled to Iowa City and competed at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling.
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