2025 Zagreb Open Ranking Series Tournament Recap
March 28, 2025
Thank You From Trent Hidlay To His Many Supporters
“Failure Is The Price For Success”
That is what has been on my mind the past few days as I reflect on my recent tournament in Zagreb, Croatia. It
is funny sometimes the value that reflecting during 24 straight hours of travel can have after you come up short
in a competition. After a tough tournament where I finished with Bronze, I was frustrated with myself and the
circumstances that I was wrestling through.
In the beginning of my first match against Moldova (Eugeniu Mihalcean- 2024 u23 bronze and 2023 u20
bronze), I went for an underhook whip-over and hurt one of my oblique muscles. I had a hard time finding my
rhythm the rest of the day and dropped my match against Azerbaijan (2024 U23 Silver) before finishing with a
win for bronze over Georgia (2019 U23 Gold).
I was frustrated because my preparation had been excellent and I was excited to wrestle with some of the
improvements that I've been making in training. However, I do believe that my training leading up to the
tournament helped me push through and finish.
Make no mistake about it- this was not the sole reason for my loss. The hard truth about senior level wrestling
is that you are going to lose and there will be a learning curve in the process. Wrestling guys from other
countries presents challenges and a feel that is very foreign to me (pun intended). The only way to get better
against the best guys in the world is to compete against them! So, as I continue to reflect, I understand the
importance of failing in order to break through to the next level.
I'm not happy with losing, but I know I gave maximum effort and did some great things while battling through
adversity. Ultimately, that is where true growth will blossom and I know I’m going to get better from it. Now, it is
time to heal and get back to work! Wolfpack RTC Head Wrestling Coach Jamill Kelly and I will watch film,
make a plan for improvements, and attack it! This is the way to eventual success. Prepare, challenge yourself
in competition, analyze, and get better.
Thanks to your support, I am able to have these opportunities that will help me advance and continue to chase
the goals of bringing World and Olympic medals back to Raleigh and NC state wrestling! I feel blessed and
grateful that you all play a role in my development and success at this stage in my career. We are currently
looking at a match on the incredible Flowrestling card on February 26th in Iowa City, Iowa. Additionally, I look
forward to getting back into the room with the guys as they prepare for Stanford, VT, ACC’s, and NCAA’s! It is
an exciting time to be a NC State and Wolfpack RTC fan!
**Side Note: Zagreb, Croatia is an amazing city and it was such a cool place to visit and explore. This is one of
the added benefits with these competitions. Seeing the world, gaining new perspectives on life, and learning
from other wrestlers and countries from across the world!
Sincerely,
Trent Hidlay
Join Josh Johnson as he sits down with standout wrestler Koy Buesgens in this exclusive interview. They dive into Koy's journey from his early days on the mat to his impressive high school achievements, his decision to join NC State, and his goals for the upcoming season. Get an inside look at Koy's mindset, his favorite moments, and what drives him to succeed—only on The Wolves Den!
Join Josh Johnson as he sits down with standout wrestler Koy Buesgens in this exclusive interview. They dive into Koy's journey from his early days on the mat to his impressive high school achievements, his decision to join NC State, and his goals for the upcoming season. Get an inside look at Koy's mindset, his favorite moments, and what drives him to succeed—only on The Wolves Den!
Host Josh Johnson welcomes back Tyler Tracy, fresh off his bronze medal at the Pan Am Games. Tyler shares his journey representing Jamaica, the challenges of international competition, and his goals for the upcoming wrestling season.
Josh Johnson sits down in this episode of the Wolves Den with NC State wrestler Andrew Machiavello. Andrew shares how his older brother inspired him to start wrestling, why he chose NC State, his experience overcoming injury, and his goals for the upcoming season. He also encourages fans to come out and support the team, offering an inspiring look at his journey and determination.
Josh Johnson sits down with redshirt freshman Pete Winterstein. He shares his unique path to NC State, transitioning from being a multi-sport athlete to full-time wrestling, lessons learned from veteran teammates, and how grueling “Tommy Intensive” practices built bonds and toughness. He reflects on growth, work ethic, and excitement for the future with the Wolfpack.
Josh Johnson sits down with redshirt freshman Pete Winterstein. He shares his unique path to NC State, transitioning from being a multi-sport athlete to full-time wrestling, lessons learned from veteran teammates, and how grueling “Tommy Intensive” practices built bonds and toughness. He reflects on growth, work ethic, and excitement for the future with the Wolfpack.
Host Josh Johnson sits down with NC State heavyweight and U23 World Champ Isaac Trumble. He discusses rehab after knee surgery, his rise in freestyle, WWE-inspired celebrations, and pushing through pain to become an All-American. He also shares personal updates and invites fans to help pick his next walkout song. Don’t miss this one!
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Wolfpack Regional Training Center (RTC) is excited to announce that Wolfpack Wrestling alumnus Ed Scott has signed on to continue his wrestling career with the RTC. A 3x NCAA Qualifier and All-American for NC State, Scott is known for his relentless pace and aggressive style on the mat. Over his collegiate career, he racked up over 80 wins and established himself as one of the most exciting wrestlers in the country. Now, Scott will shift his focus to the senior freestyle circuit, representing the Wolfpack RTC as he pursues his Olympic and World Team aspirations. "Ed has always been a fan favorite and a spark plug for our program," said NC State Head Coach Pat Popolizio. "We’re thrilled that he’s staying in Raleigh and continuing to build on the foundation he set as a student-athlete here." Scott’s addition strengthens an already talented RTC lineup and reflects the commitment of the Wolfpack RTC to develop and support world-class athletes through elite coaching, competitive opportunities, and comprehensive training resources. Supporters and fans can continue to follow Ed’s journey through the Wolfpack RTC’s social media platforms and upcoming events.
In his second Wolves Den appearance, Trent Hidlay joins host Josh Johnson to recap an incredible summer of competition, including his Final X victory and gold-medal performance in Budapest.
In this episode of Wolves Den, host Josh Johnson sits down with Will Denny, fresh off his U20 Pan Am Championship victory. Will shares what it was like competing internationally, including cutting weight and experiencing new cultures. He reflects on his wrestling journey—from starting at age 6 in Illinois, to winning two state titles, a Super 32 title, and now gold on the international stage.