Semifinals Surge: Wrestlers Punch Tickets to 2026 NCHSAA State Finals

Greensboro, NC.— Semifinals of the 2026 NCHSAA State Wrestling Championships lit up First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro Friday night across seven classifications—1A/2A combined through 8A—punching finalists into Saturday's title clashes. Freshman Carson Raper of South Rowan High School barreled into the 4A 106-pound finals with non-stop gas, straight from a pre-match nudge: "Before the match, Jacob Cox (Coach), just told me go score points, like usual. And then I just went out there, scored as many points as I could, keep the pace high. Basically all there was to it." Darkhorse Wrestling Club built his foundation: "The good partners, good coaches, the consistent training... has been just all my wrestling skill." Big brother Garrison, last year's state champ sidelined this year, pushed hard: "It's been really good. Just almost having to beat out your brother, it’s really motivated me. You know, he didn't get to wrestle this year, but I'm kind of replacing him in a sense, where I need to win for him." No holding back tomorrow: "Score tons of points. Just don't regret anything. Make sure that I show all my skills on the mat, just score as many points as possible."

Sophomore Matt Atkins of Pinecrest High School crushed an 18-4 semifinal at 8A 113 pounds, mastering mind and body. "Before the match, the 1st thing I like to focus on is preparation. I like to make sure I'm hype, but not too hype that I get in my head. I like to do some breathing techniques before my match. Just get locked in," he broke it down. He read his opponent like a book: "During the match I knew that he went for big moves. I knew how to get to my offense... once I got to my offense and I got that scoreboard going, I knew that he would try to do big moves. So I was mostly just score first, trying to get my shots, get my takedowns, get points on the board. Also, playing it safe, making sure that he won't get any big moves. You know, I've gone all this way. I don't want to get lat dropped or head locked and have it all be ruined."

Adrian Feliciano of Hough High School scrapped to a 7-2 8A 120 finals berth in pure wrestle-fest fashion. "It was a grilling match, man. It came down to really to who wanted it the most. Man, it was such a great match, man. A lot of scrambles, a lot of hard wrestling. And I just want to give a shout out to him for being such a good wrestler and he was a good kid and yeah, just got it done," Feliciano said. No upset surprise in the rematch: "No, I knew I was surprised because I wrestled him at state playoffs and it was a close match and I knew he was going to come back stronger. So I had to push the pace and be even more stronger, so I got it done." Darkhorse daily dose: "Coaches are great. My practice partners are great. They push me to get better every day and I'm just glad to be there." Finals keys: "Really, just control my emotions, try not to get nervous or anything. And just wrestling how I do. and just being the best I can be."

Defending 3A 126 champ Ayden Sumners of Wheatmore High School pinned through semifinals "I went in there just like every other match, no matter who the kid is, you know? I wrestle to win. I don't look at anything, you know, like, we're 00. I am not a state champion here. I'm just another kid trying to win it," he emphasized. State champ Legacy on line: "I think it really builds my legacy and ensures that I am supposed to be on the top." Grind never stops: "I've traveled hours, day, every day just to get the best training. I mean, the work that you put in is the result that comes out. So, I mean, I'm gonna put in every single day as much as I can, as much work as I can, try to be better than I was the day before." Repeat plan: "I want to dominate finals. I don’t want it to be a, you know, like a nail biter like it was last year. I'm here to win it and show that I'm supposed to win it."

Jace Barrier of Mooresville High School, 7A 126 defending champ and two-time finalist, gutted out injuries for finals return. "Well, I went into the match, knowing I had to wrestle a good, really good kid, similar to me in, like, my style. So then I just had to work, I had to like do new stuff and work my attacks in the inside control, controlling his elbows, moving my feet, moving my feet, and just like finishing hard and yeah," he recapped. Brutal road: "At the beginning of the season, I sprained my MCL and then I did something in my patella and then so I was out for a while. So I only went into the regional tournament with like 16 matches. And then at regionals, I got a concussion in the finals and I thought my season was over from there, but then I just told myself that I could do it and got cleared." Senior fire: "It's my last year... It's one in a lifetime thing... I have a really good community, like family and friends that would push me." Nod to late Ben Watson: "He always said I could be just like my dad, like how he was a state champ. And I would just literally listen to him every day saying that I could do it." Big stage final vow: "I want to score more. I want to really show people who I really am... all the years that I've worked hard and just want to be me."

Bentley Sly of Stuart Cramer High School teched into 4A 150 finals eyeing four straight titles. "Feels great. Not being content. I just feel like everything leading up to this, on my training. eyes on the future, eyes on college. You know, this is a stepping stone, but never consent about anything," Sly reflected. Motivation source: "Always eyes on the bigger picture, college, always going to college opens, just trying to get better. prepare myself for the next level." Thoughts on tomorrow "A quick one. Get it done. Get out here."

Abdul Zaggout of West Forsyth High School powered to an 11-3 8A 132 finals spot. "He was strong. It was really hard to turn him, but... I had to find a way to score on him. I couldn't turn him, but I got to my front headlock and got behind him for my takedown. He got some really strong shots, really strong defense as well. Really fast, so I give props... took me a lot of strength... proud. I'm able to be in the finals this year," he said. Simple finals script: "Just wrestle. I don't really have a strategy. Let's go out there, wrestle my hardest. Learn my opponent 1st before I start making moves and have fun out there." Team lift: "Amazing having a full team like family... motivation to push forward... support me and push me past my limits."

Aidan Szewczyk of Davie High School made 7A 138 finals chasing first gold. "It's a great feeling. But I've not experienced a championship yet, and that's what I want right now. I feel like I can get it... I got to win it," he declared. No more heartbreak: "Failure's okay. But... you gotta win these. They're big matches."

Will Varner of Kings Mountain High School muscled into 6A 165 finals nursing tweaks. "Get in the lungs. been dealing with small injury... affected me a little mentally and physically, but... trying to blow the lungs out early... job's not done," Varner said. Attack mode: "Looking to score a lot of points... attack and go, go, go, go, go."

Lorenzo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy closes in on 4 timer in the 4A 175 division, would be the first in school history. "Feels good. I'd be the first to do it in my school history... always dreamed about doing... ever since I started wrestling," he remarked. Repeat fuel: "I'm just competitive... easier to win it the first time, but... to defend it... harder, because... people coming after you... more motivated to wrestle you."

Jake McCord of Grimsley High School tilted to a tech in 7A 157 semis after finals miss last year. "Semifinals match... close... 3-0 maybe 4-0? ... hit a Jonesy then another turn, Easy Tech," he detailed. All in now: "Last year, I made it to the finals... settling for being a state finalist... this year, I'm definitely hungry for the chip." Room props: "School of hard knocks wrestling room, good guys that can push me... great coach... all the tools."