What Is NC United Blue
NC United Blue is the premier training and competition program for North Carolina's top high school wrestlers. It brings the state's best athletes together in one environment—training under common standards, pushing each other daily, and competing as a unified group on the biggest stages.
Blue is built on a simple idea: elite wrestlers grow faster when they train with other elite wrestlers. By setting shared expectations, demanding accountability, and competing together, NC United Blue creates a culture where North Carolina's best sharpen each other and represent the state with pride.
Next steps
Choose how you want to explore Blue.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to create opportunities for North Carolina wrestlers to train with the best coaches, compete against the best competition, and build a pipeline from high school to college and beyond. We aim to set the standard for what a state wrestling program can be—inclusively elite, transparent, and driven by results.
What Makes Blue Different
- Train With the Best — Blue practices feature high school standouts alongside current NCAA wrestlers. You are in the room with people who have been where you want to go.
- College coaches in the room — Regularly, college coaches from UNC, NC State, Mount Olive, Roanoke, Greensboro, Lynchburg, Belmont Abbey, and more lead or support practices so kids see a college-style cadence and environment. Coaches get to know athletes and huddle with them for Q&A on recruiting, college transitions, expectations, and more.
Opportunity & Obligation
Opportunity
Blue members gain access to training with college coaches, NCAA wrestlers, and peers who push them every day. They compete at national events, build relationships with recruiters, and develop skills that translate to the next level.
Obligation
With opportunity comes responsibility. Blue members represent North Carolina and NC United. They are expected to show up, work hard, support teammates, and carry themselves with integrity on and off the mat.
For all Blue members, national competition is the path to achieving the highest goals. The expectation is participation in tournaments at the caliber of NHSCA, Super32, Journeymen, Beast of the East, Ironman, and—where appropriate for age and weight—college opens.
Training Environment & College Partnerships
Blue practices are Sundays 1–3pm at the UNC wrestling room in Fetzer Hall—every other Sunday in season, every Sunday post season. View the NC United calendar →
- UNC serves as the primary home for Blue practices, giving members consistent access to Chapel Hill and the Tar Heel program.
- NC State provides additional support and access, reinforcing the depth of college partnerships.
- Partnerships across the Southeast — Our most elite groups sometimes train with other colleges (e.g., UVA) to maximize exposure and development.
Drop-ins
Drop-ins are welcome. We have limited availability per practice. To attend, sign up on the NC United calendar by clicking on the practice and completing the registration form.
National Team Pipeline & Competition
The NC United National Team competes in dual format and is among the most successful NC-based teams in state history. Last year, the National Team went 7–1 at NHSCA Duals and reached the Round of 16 before losing to a multi-state all-star team.
Learn more about the National Team →
Blue competes at national events throughout the year. The National Team schedule and competition calendar are linked below.
About our National Team →Competition Calendar →National Team Interest Form →
Recruiting Support & Exposure
College coaches want to see athletes training with the best, competing against the best, and beating the best. NC United is built to facilitate exactly that: Blue members train in a high-accountability environment, compete at national events, and build a résumé that speaks for itself. We bring clarity and real opportunity to the recruiting process by understanding each athlete's goals—academically, athletically, and personally—and by connecting college coaches with our athletes through RecruitNC and regular updates.
Our ecosystem raises the level for everyone. We host an annual College Coaches Lounge at the state championships, offer internship assistance and career planning programs, and celebrate commitments through signing announcements and our Signing Day podcast. Local college programs are deeply engaged with NC United and get to know our athletes long before recruiting decisions are made—so when it's time to commit, our wrestlers are ready.
Blue Roster (Current Members)
The current squad includes 40+ state titles, 70+ state qualifiers, 15 NHSCA / Super32 / Ironman All-Americans, and commits across D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and Juco.
Blue Alumni
Alumni matter. They return during breaks and summer, scrap live with current members, and mentor the next generation. Blue is a program, not a one-time experience—alumni stay connected and give back.
| Name | Class | High School | College | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Sullivan | 2025 | Union Pines | Roanoke | NCAA Division III |
| Colt Campbell | 2025 | Hickory Ridge | Appalachian State | NCAA Division I |
| Dantrell Wiliams | 2025 | Union Pines | Roanoke | NCAA Division III |
| Everest Ouellette | 2025 | First Flight | NC State | NCAA Division I |
Coaching Excellence
Led by Coach Macchiavello, Coach Palmer, and Coach Fisher.
Colton Palmer
Colton Palmer is a former NC State wrestler, four-year letter winner, team co-captain, and NCAA Tournament qualifier.
Mike Macchiavello
Mike Macchiavello is a North Carolina native, NCAA Division I National Champion at NC State, and Co-Founder of NC United.
Araad Fisher
Araad Fisher is a former Duke wrestler and four-year starter who competed at 184, 197, and heavyweight.
Testimonials
What coaches, parents, and wrestlers are saying about NC United.
Qualification & Selection
Blue is invite-led with structured pathways for consideration. A critical piece: we look for athletes who demonstrate they love the sport—competing year-round and actively seeking the best training partners and competition. Typically, that includes elite high school athletes who have qualified for states and want to wrestle at the next level.
We also consider edge cases: injuries that affected state qualification, athletes new to North Carolina, and standout middle school wrestlers when appropriate. We aim to be fair and inclusive while maintaining high standards.
Important: Expressing interest does not equal acceptance. Invites are extended based on merit, fit, and program capacity.
State Qualifier Interest & Blue Membership
State qualifiers are determined the weekend before States. We will review submissions and extend invites to those who fit the program.
Blue membership represents inclusion in a year-round training and development environment built on shared standards, accountability, and long-term growth. Membership is invite-led, not automatic, and is not defined by a single tournament. Invitations are extended throughout the year based on an athlete's body of work, commitment to improvement, and alignment with the culture of NC United Blue.
In addition to year-round invitations, a wave of invitations will be extended to select 2026 State Qualifiers, with official registration and Blue shirt pickup taking place at the State Championships. Invited athletes are asked to stop by Suite 109 at States to complete registration and receive their Blue shirt, which serves as a symbol of membership in the program.
Express interest in Blue
If you qualified for states and want to express interest, submit the form below.