MORGANTOWN — The University High School wrestling program has produced its share of NCAA athletes, and that list got even longer when rising senior Luca Felix announced his verbal commitment to NC State last week.
Felix visited multiple Division 1 programs like Oklahoma State and West Virginia, but ultimately decided on the Wolfpack in Raleigh, NC.
“When it came time for me to pick, the culture at NC State is what drew me there,” Felix said. “What they stand for on the mat and off the mat fits me as a person and they’re also doing great things there.”
The Wolfpack are five-time defending ACC champions and also have multiple athletes competing at the national level this summer for the USA. Head coach Pat Popolizio recently completed his 11th season at the helm.
“Everyone says this but the coaches really resonated with me,” Felix said of Popolizio and his staff. “Not only does the coaching style fit me but their personalities also were very similar and it felt like a natural fit. Being a little closer to home than some of the other schools I visited is also nice.”
Another thing that Luca said stood out to him with NC State was the continuous contact they kept with him throughout the process.
“They were always reaching out to check on me whether it was saying good luck before a big tournament or even to give me some feedback,” he said. “It was really difficult to come to a decision but I am really glad to be a part of the program there.”
With his senior year still ahead of him, Felix says the relief of being committed is something he welcomes, and that even the NC State program is reminding him to enjoy his final year of high school as a student-athlete and wrestle with no pressure.
“I’ve been going to these big tournaments to wrestle and they’re just reminding me that it doesn’t matter how I finish,” he said. “I can just go out there and have fun and enjoy it without having to think about too much else.”
Luca will complete his senior year at University when he will also sign his letter of intent, before joining the Wolfpack in Raleigh next summer.
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