NC United National Team Heads to Florida for AAU Scholastic Duals

RecruitNC News · June 2026

Fresh off a Round of 32 finish at the NHSCA National Duals, the NC United National Team will once again represent North Carolina on a national stage as it travels to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 2026 AAU Scholastic Duals.

Held June 24–26 at the Broward County Convention Center, the AAU Scholastic Duals is one of the nation's premier summer team wrestling events. The tournament brings together approximately 40–50 elite teams from across the country for three days of folkstyle dual meet competition, providing athletes an opportunity to compete against some of the nation's best wrestlers while gaining valuable exposure in front of college coaches and wrestling programs.

The event's dual meet format places an emphasis on team performance, lineup depth, and consistency across all weight classes. For many wrestlers, it is one of the most competitive summer opportunities available outside of national individual tournaments.

NC United National Team

Elite wrestlers representing North Carolina on the national stage.

Fort Lauderdale will mark the fifth national tournament in which NC United has sent a squad to compete as North Carolina's National Team — not a club, not a single high school, but a statewide roster wearing Carolina colors against the country's best programs.

Through four completed national-team events — including the 2026 NHSCA National Duals Round of 32 run — the program has built a track record worth carrying into Florida:

Stats reflect the NC United National squad through NHSCA Duals 2026 (Select teams excluded). Full archives, schedule, and registration live on the National Team hub.

Full tournament results, athlete cards, and highlights are on the AAU Scholastic Duals 2026 results page · Fort Lauderdale, June 2026.

A True North Carolina Team

The foundation of this team was built long before the trip to Florida.

Every athlete on the roster is part of NC United Blue, North Carolina's premier high school training and competition program. Throughout the year, athletes from across the state train together at weekly practices hosted at both UNC Chapel Hill and NC State, creating a unique environment where many of North Carolina's top wrestlers regularly push each other to improve.

Those relationships, training sessions, and shared experiences help create a true statewide team culture when national competition arrives.

This year's AAU roster represents 12 different high schools from across North Carolina and showcases some of the state's most accomplished athletes.

Collectively, the roster includes:

• 5 NHSCA All-American honors
• 13 Individual State Championships
• More than 20 State Placements
• Three NCAA Division I commits

Leading the group are Division I commits:

• Tobin McNair — Binghamton University
• Mac Johnson — Appalachian State University
• Tye Johnson — Appalachian State University

While these athletes represent different schools, clubs, and communities throughout North Carolina, they will compete together under one banner as they take on many of the top teams in the country.

2026 AAU Scholastic Duals Roster

NC United's starter lineup for Fort Lauderdale — full weight classes with the +5 lb bump per AAU rules. Tournament recap, dual scores, and athlete cards are on the AAU Scholastic Duals results page.

Coaching Staff

NC United's coaching staff combines current Division I experience with proven leadership and athlete development.

Liam Hickey (NC State)

Hickey enters the event as an incoming sophomore at NC State after transferring from North Carolina. During his redshirt season, he posted an 8–4 record and captured the Appalachian State Open title.

Prior to college, Hickey established himself as one of North Carolina's most accomplished wrestlers, earning:

• 2× NHSCA All-American
• 2× NCHSAA State Champion
• 4× NCHSAA State Placer

In addition to competing at the Division I level, Hickey is an active coach with The Wrestling Guild and works with youth and high school wrestlers throughout North Carolina.

Jake Dailey (NC State)

Dailey enters the summer following a breakout collegiate season that included:

• 2026 NCAA Qualifier
• 2026 ACC Championship Runner-Up at 184 pounds
• Multiple ranked victories during the season
• NWCA Scholar All-American honors

After qualifying for his first NCAA Championships this past season, Dailey has quickly established himself as one of North Carolina's top young Division I wrestlers.

Representing North Carolina

The AAU Scholastic Duals will provide North Carolina's athletes another opportunity to test themselves against elite competition from across the country.

For NC United, however, the mission extends beyond wins and losses.

The program was founded on the belief that North Carolina's best wrestlers become better when they train together, compete together, and represent something larger than themselves.

That philosophy has helped create one of the strongest statewide wrestling communities in the country and will once again be on display in Fort Lauderdale.

For three days, these athletes won't represent individual clubs or high schools.

They'll represent North Carolina.

Strength in Unity.