29 NC wrestlers earn seeds (MatScout, Wednesday, March 25), including 10 returning All-Americans
Virginia Beach, VA — North Carolina will send over 300 wrestlers to NHSCA High School Nationals this week in Virginia Beach, with 29 earning seeds in their respective divisions according to MatScout's NHSCA seeding released Wednesday, March 25. Last year, North Carolina sent 301 participants across all four divisions, and participation is expected to grow in 2026.
The three-day event represents North Carolina's most important recruiting weekend of the year. Last year, North Carolina finished #5 nationally with 25 All-Americans — the most in state history and a 60% increase from 2024. Ten of those All-Americans return with seeds this week.
Recent data from NC United Wrestling shows that 93% of the state's Division I college commits competed at NHSCA Nationals — the highest participation rate of any tournament in a comprehensive study of 86 college commits. With college coaches from across the country in attendance, NHSCA has become the state's premier recruiting showcase.
NC's 29 Seeded Wrestlers: 10 Returning All-Americans
The breakdown below reflects MatScout's Wednesday, March 25 update. North Carolina's seeded wrestlers include 10 returning NHSCA All-Americans, multiple multi-time All-Americans, and six undefeated state champions fresh off the NCHSAA State Championships in Greensboro.
Seniors (10 seeds) — Class of 2026
Multi-Time NHSCA All-Americans
#2 Bentley Sly (Cramer, 152 lbs) — 4A 150 State Champion (51-2), 2x NHSCA All-American (3rd '25, 6th '24), App State commit
The state's #1-ranked senior dominated the 4A state tournament with a first-period pin in the finals. After placing 3rd at NHSCA as a junior, Sly enters as the #2 seed and one of the favorites for a national title. Also earned All-American honors at Super 32 (4th place, 8-2).
#3 Cael Dunn (South Davidson, 195 lbs) — 1A/2A 215 State Champion (51-0, undefeated), NHSCA All-American (6th '23), Campbell commit
Four-time state champion competing up a weight class at NHSCA after winning 1A/2A 215 state title with a 25-second pin.
Other State Champions
#6 Gabe Rogers (Seaforth, 138 lbs) — 5A 144 State Champion (28-1), Binghamton commit
Won state title via tech fall (19-3 in 3:43). Competed at NHSCA as underclassman, now seeded 6th in senior division.
#7 Dominic Blue (Union Pines, 160 lbs) — 6A 175 State Champion (43-2) — Three-time state champion moving down to 160 for NHSCA. Won state title via tech fall (18-3).
#11 Trevelian Hall (Lumberton, 113 lbs) — 7A 113 State Champion (50-0, undefeated) — Perfect season continues. Four-time state placer looking for first NHSCA All-American honors.
#11 Cameron Gue (Mount Pleasant, 132 lbs) — 4A 132 State Champion (60-1), Lynchburg commit — Won state title with dominant 3:29 pin. Three-time state champion.
#13 Eli Oakley (Piedmont, 145 lbs) — 6A 150 State Champion (59-2) — Two-time state champion, NHSCA veteran with multiple years of experience.
#14 Andrew Meadows (Mount Airy, 170 lbs) — 3A 175 State Champion (51-2), NHSCA All-American (5th '23), Citadel commit — Three-time state champion. Won finals via tech fall (19-3). Multiple years at NHSCA with All-American honors.
#14 Joseph Trahan (Trinity, 285 lbs) — 3A 285 State Champion (59-0, undefeated) — Undefeated state champion seeking first NHSCA All-American honors.
#17 Cameron Massey (North Gaston, 126 lbs) — 5A 138 State Champion (43-1) — Won state title with narrow 13-7 decision. NHSCA veteran competing at 126.
Juniors (8 seeds) — Class of 2027
North Carolina's Class of 2027 represents one of the most accomplished sophomore groups in state history, featuring 12 state champions and 7 NHSCA All-Americans as freshmen. Three return to Virginia Beach as returning All-Americans.
Returning NHSCA All-Americans
#5 Keyshon Morrison (Lake Norman, 220 lbs) — 7A 215 State Champion (45-4), 2x NHSCA All-American (7th '25)
Won narrow 9-7 state finals decision. Returns as top-5 seed after earning AA honors as sophomore. Ranked #10 in Class of 2027.
#6 Gavin Lopez (Green Hope, 220 lbs) — 8A 215 State Champion (45-0, undefeated), NHSCA All-American (7th '25)
Undefeated state champion with 3:28 pin in finals. Returns after 7th place finish last year. Ranked #11 in Class of 2027.
#7 Tobin McNair (Wakefield, 160 lbs) — 8A 165 State Champion (44-0, undefeated), NHSCA All-American (6th '25)
Undefeated state champion who dominated finals 11-2. Returns after 6th place as sophomore. Ranked #3 in Class of 2027 and already drawing interest from UNC, NC State, Appalachian State, Binghamton, and Duke.
Additional State Champions
#12 Ayden Sumners (Wheatmore, 126 lbs) — 3A 126 State Champion (48-0, undefeated) — Perfect season continues. Won state finals 1-0. Ranked #6 in Class of 2027.
#13 Liam Myles (Union Pines, 106 lbs) — 6A 106 State Champion (42-3) — Won state title 7-4. Ranked #28 in Class of 2027.
#11 Mason Hocker (Hoggard, 285 lbs) — 8A 285 State Champion (39-3) — Won state title 8-2 decision.
Also seeded: #10 Judah Harris (220 lbs), #15 Michael Santoro (Hough, 113 lbs) — 8A 106 State Champion (4-0 decision).
With the NCAA contact period now open, this weekend provides critical early exposure for a class already generating unprecedented recruiting interest from college programs across the country.
Sophomores (7 seeds) — Class of 2028
The Class of 2028 made history as freshmen by producing 7 NHSCA All-Americans — tied for the most in North Carolina history. Six return to Virginia Beach this week with seeds.
Returning NHSCA All-Americans
#2 Aaron Ellison (Lumberton, 145 lbs) — 7A 150 2nd place (51-1), NHSCA All-American (4th '25)
State's #1-ranked sophomore lost heartbreaking sudden victory finals (20-17) but enters NHSCA as #2 seed. Placed 4th as freshman with 5-2 record.
#10 Connor Reece (Northwest Guilford, 138 lbs) — 8A 138 State Champion (42-3), NHSCA All-American (7th '25)
Dominated state finals via tech fall (17-2). Returns after 7th place as freshman. State's #2-ranked sophomore.
#6 Ryan Thompson (Cardinal Gibbons, 170 lbs) — 7A 165 2nd place (52-4), NHSCA All-American (6th '25)
Placed 6th as freshman. State's #3-ranked sophomore.
#8 Mitchell Rowland (Pinecrest, 132 lbs) — 8A 138 3rd place (34-5), NHSCA All-American (8th '25)
Returns after 8th place as freshman. State's #7-ranked sophomore.
#10 Jacob Perry (New Bern, 152 lbs) — 7A 150 4th place (59-7), NHSCA All-American (8th '25)
Placed 8th as freshman. State's #6-ranked sophomore.
#7 Aaron Ruiz-Angel (Mount Airy, 220 lbs) — 3A 215 2nd place (45-5), NHSCA All-American (5th '25)
Placed 5th as freshman. State's #11-ranked sophomore.
Additional Seed
#12 Drew Teeter (Mooresville, 182 lbs) — 7A 175 State Champion (41-4) — Won state title via tech fall (16-1). State's #9-ranked sophomore.
"The Class of 2028 is special because they're not waiting to compete nationally — they're already doing it," said Mike Macchiavello, NC United co-founder. "Seeing seven NHSCA All-Americans in one class tells you these athletes are serious about wrestling at the next level."
Six of the seven returning All-Americans from Class of 2028 are seeded — an unprecedented concentration of returning talent in a single class.
Freshmen (4 seeds) — Class of 2029
#1 Carson Raper (South Rowan, 106 lbs) — 4A 106 State Champion (37-3), #1 seed — Won state title 7-0. Enters NHSCA as top seed and immediate favorite for All-American honors.
#2 Isaac Young (Pisgah, 152 lbs) — 4A 157 2nd place (47-6) — Lost state finals 9-6 but enters as #2 seed.
#2 Braylen Yates (East Rowan, 160 lbs) — 5A 165 2nd place (33-3) — Lost state finals 8-6 but enters as #2 seed.
#12 Brandon Lefler (Hough, 113 lbs) — 8A 113 2nd place (46-2) — Lost state finals 4-3 but brings 46-2 record to Virginia Beach.
Why NHSCA Matters for North Carolina
With over 300 NC wrestlers competing and 29 earning seeds on MatScout's March 25 NHSCA list, NHSCA Nationals represents the single largest gathering of North Carolina wrestling talent at a national event all year. In 2025, North Carolina sent 301 participants (44 freshmen, 92 sophomores, 92 juniors, 73 seniors) and participation is expected to grow in 2026.
Last year, North Carolina finished #5 nationally with 25 All-Americans — the highest total in state history. The senior division led the charge with a 1st place national finish and 9 All-Americans.
The tournament has become North Carolina's premier recruiting showcase. Among Division I commits from the Classes of 2025 and 2026, 93% competed at NHSCA — producing 10 All-Americans and countless college commitments.
With the NCHSAA's expansion to seven divisions, NHSCA provides college coaches a clearer evaluation setting than state championships, where 98 state champions, 392 placers, and 784 qualifiers compete simultaneously across seven divisions.
Competition begins Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.