North Carolina Wrestler Lorenzo Alston Eyes Historic Four-Time Title

Asheboro, NC- Lorenzo Alston, a star wrestler from North Carolina, has set his sights on becoming a four-time state champion, a distinction held by very few in the state. He shared, “That’s definitely one of my main goals — to become a four-time state champion. Not many wrestlers get to be part of that group in North Carolina, and I want to leave my mark before I graduate.” As he finishes high school, he is also focused on preparing to compete immediately at NC State and make an impact at the college level. Alston feels a strong sense of pride in representing his home state and hopes to elevate wrestling in North Carolina by inspiring younger athletes to stay in-state, explaining, “It means a lot to represent North Carolina. I want to show that our state produces elite talent who can compete nationally. By staying in-state, I hope to inspire younger wrestlers to do the same to realize they don’t have to leave to chase greatness.”

Reflecting on his career, Alston considers winning his first state title as the most memorable moment, stating, “Winning my first state title will always stand out. That moment taught me that all the late practices were worth it. It gave me confidence that I could achieve anything with the right mindset and work ethic.” He offers advice to younger athletes on overcoming challenges, saying, “Adversity is part of the sport. You’ll have days where things don’t go your way, but how you respond defines you. My advice is to stay patient, stay disciplined, and always remember why you started.”

Serving as team captain has shaped his perspective on leadership, with Alston noting, “Being captain has made me realize it’s not just about my success. It’s about setting the tone for everyone else. I try to lead by example, whether that’s through my effort in the room or how I carry myself outside of it.” After securing three consecutive state titles, he stays motivated by reminding himself that, “There’s always someone out there training just as hard, maybe harder. My goal isn’t just to win, it’s to keep improving every day. That mindset keeps me hungry.” His experience at the NHSCA Nationals, where he finished as a finalist, also increased his mental and physical preparation, as he explained, “Nationals was a different level. I had to prepare mentally as much as physically. Every match felt like a state final. Making the finals showed me that I belong among the best, but it also pushed me to keep raising the bar.”

When facing high-pressure matches and national expectations, Alston’s approach remains grounded: “I focus on controlling what I can. Rankings and pressure don’t win matches, preparation does. When I step on the mat, I remind myself that it’s just another opportunity to wrestle and prove my hard work.” He chose NC State because it “just felt like home.

The coaches believe in me, and their program has a strong culture built on toughness and development. I’m excited to train with guys who share the same goals and to represent my home state at the next level.” He especially looks forward to learning from NC State wrestlers like Trent and Hayden Hidlay, who have set the standard for the program.

Alston described his training routine as balancing fine-tuning during the wrestling season with strength and conditioning in the off-season: “During the season, it’s all about fine-tuning — drilling technique, staying sharp, and managing weight. In the off-season, I focus more on strength, conditioning, and improving specific areas of my game.” Over the past year, he has worked hard on “my defense and counter offense — staying solid in scrambles and turning defense into points. At the national level, those small details make the biggest difference.” Mental preparation plays a huge role in his approach, as he stated, “I visualize my matches, go through my positions in my head, and focus on breathing and composure. If I’m calm and confident, I can wrestle my best no matter who’s across from me.”

Family has been a pillar of his support system, with his father being his biggest influence: “My dad has been my biggest influence. He’s always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. He taught me to never settle and to carry myself with humility.” His family’s sacrifices and encouragement have been crucial, as he expressed, “They’ve been my foundation. From driving me to tournaments to encouraging me after tough losses, they’ve sacrificed a lot for me to chase my dreams. I’m grateful every day for that.” A key coaching lesson that resonates deeply with him is, “Don’t chase wins, chase improvement. That changed my mindset. Focusing on getting better every day makes the winning part take care of itself.”

The toughest match Alston faced so far was the NHSCA finals, which he lost narrowly: “The NHSCA finals match stands out — I came up just short. It taught me that even when you lose, you can gain something valuable. It made me hungrier to fix mistakes and come back stronger.” He takes losses personally but uses them productively: “I take every loss personally, but in a productive way.

I go back, watch film, and figure out what I can improve. Knowing I haven’t reached my ceiling yet keeps me motivated.” Injuries have been part of his experience as well, reinforcing the importance of care and toughness: “I’ve dealt with minor injuries before. It’s frustrating, but it reminds me how important it is to take care of my body. It also builds mental toughness — you learn to push through challenges.”

Looking to his transition to NCAA wrestling, Alston is prepared but realistic about the challenges ahead: “It’s going to be a challenge — the pace, the physicality, the competition. But I’m ready for that. I know I’ll be pushed every day, and that’s exactly what I want.” To balance the demands of athletics, academics, and social life, he plans to rely on disciplined time management: “Time management will be key. I take pride in being disciplined — on and off the mat. I’ll focus on my studies and training first, but I also want to enjoy the college experience and build good relationships.” He admires NC State alumni like Trent and Hayden Hidlay and looks forward to learning from them.

Outside wrestling, Alston enjoys relaxing by “hanging out with friends, watching sports, and listening to music. Sometimes just stepping away from wrestling for a bit helps me reset mentally.” His long-range goals extend beyond college competition: “My ultimate goal is to become an NCAA champion and, eventually, compete internationally. I want to represent the U.S. and test myself against the best in the world.” He offers this advice to younger wrestlers in North Carolina: “Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you. Stay consistent, work hard, and remember your effort will always show up when it matters most.”