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
Josh Johnson recaps the team's success at the Southeast Open, highlighting standout performances by Koy Buesgens, Brogan Tucker, Latrell Schafer, & Troy Hohman. The team is preparing for their first home dual of the season against Northern Colorado. Stay tuned for future interviews and more team highlights as the season progresses!
Get caught up with Josh Johnson as he recaps the Wolfpack wrestling “wrestle offs”! Watch highlights from intense matchups, impressive victories by top athletes like Vince Robinson and Matty Singleton, and see how the team is shaping up for the season. Don’t miss the excitement and be sure to catch the first home dual against Northern Colorado on November 8 at Reynolds Coliseum. Go Pack!
Join Josh Johnson in the Wolves Den as he interviews wrestler Jaydon Robinson (JJ). JJ shares his early introduction to wrestling, the role his father and coaches played in his journey, and how moving between Chicago and Florida shaped his high school wrestling career. JJ opens up about the challenges, pivotal tournament moments, and what ultimately led him to choose NC State for the next step in his career. Dive into this candid conversation about family, resilience, and chasing success on the mat!
Join Josh Johnson in this episode of the Wolves Den as he recaps a successful golf outing and extends thanks to all participants, sponsors, and supporters. Josh also provides a comprehensive overview of the 2025-2026 wrestling schedule, including key dates, major duals, and championship events.
Join us as World Champion Trent Hidlay returns to the Wolves Den to share his incredible journey to the top of international wrestling. Trent opens up about his preparation, overcoming adversity in the finals, and the emotions of winning his first world title. He also discusses his plans to mentor the NC State wrestling team, future competitions, and the importance of community support. Get inspired by Trent’s story of resilience, gratitude, and what’s next for this champion!
Join us as World Champion Trent Hidlay returns to the Wolves Den to share his incredible journey to the top of international wrestling. Trent opens up about his preparation, overcoming adversity in the finals, and the emotions of winning his first world title. He also discusses his plans to mentor the NC State wrestling team, future competitions, and the importance of community support. Get inspired by Trent’s story of resilience, gratitude, and what’s next for this champion!
In this interview, Tommy shares his journey from discovering real wrestling (after thinking it was WWE), his accomplishments in high school and college, and what drew him to NC State. He reflects on his favorite moments as both a competitor and coach, including big wins and coaching NCAA champions. Tommy discusses his transition to MMA, the differences between amateur and pro fighting, and the experience of earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He also talks about balancing family, training, and what’s next as he prepares for his UFC debut. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of Wolfpack Nation’s own!
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.