North Carolina Juniors Shine at 2025 NHSCA Nationals
The 2025 NHSCA Nationals saw North Carolina’s junior class produce a standout performance, headlined by a finalist and three-time All-American Lorenzo Alston. Alston’s silver medal finish at 145 lbs highlights the strength of this year’s NC junior group, which also featured strong showings from returning All-Americans and emerging talent.
Lorenzo Alston Makes the Finals
Lorenzo Alston (145 lbs) from Asheboro and K-Vegas (Raleigh Area Wrestling) delivered an impressive run to the finals, going 7-1 and finishing as the national runner-up. Alston, who entered the tournament as the #2 seed and a returning Sophomore All-American (4th place in 2024), showcased elite-level dominance throughout the bracket.
He pinned #14 nationally ranked Jackson Butler (#7 seed) in the quarterfinals and followed it up with a fall over #20 nationally ranked Gus Cardinal (#3 seed) in the semifinals. Alston ultimately dropped a narrow 6-4 decision to #4 seed Michael Turi in the finals. His tournament included three pins and two tech falls, adding to an already elite resume. Alston, who is committed to NC State, is now a two-time NHSCA All-American, climbing from 4th to 2nd place this year.
Bentley Sly Claims Bronze at 138 lbs
At 138 lbs, Bentley Sly (Stuart Cramer/Darkhorse) secured a 3rd place finish with a 7-1 record, improving on his 6th place finish from 2024. Sly, seeded #6, delivered one of the most impressive performances of the bracket.
In the consolation semifinals, he took out the #1 seed and #3 nationally ranked Joseph Toscano with a dominant 8-2 decision. Sly also defeated #11 seed Blake Boyer and #14 seed Braylan Cosper along the way, before finishing with a first-period pin (1:40) over #10 seed Ames Michael Hoevker for 3rd. With two tech falls and two pins among his seven wins, Sly solidified himself as a rising national contender. The uncommitted junior now holds back-to-back All-American finishes at the NHSCA level.
Strong Showing from Gabe Rogers
Gabe Rogers (120 lbs, Chapel Hill) also impressed in a deep field. The #7 seed went 4-2, starting with four straight wins including a tech fall. He reached the quarterfinals, where he dropped a close 2-0 decision to #6 seed Samuel Comes (TN), and then fell 1-0 to #10 seed Preston White (SC) in the blood round. Although just shy of placing, Rogers proved he can compete at the highest level nationally and remains one to watch. He is currently uncommitted.
Historical Context
North Carolina’s junior performance continues the state’s upward trajectory in national competition. With a national finalist and another top-3 finisher, this year’s juniors have built upon previous success. Lorenzo Alston’s achievement as a finalist is particularly noteworthy, as relatively few North Carolina juniors have reached NHSCA championship matches throughout tournament history.
The pair of All-Americans demonstrated North Carolina’s ability to compete with nationally ranked opponents, with both Alston and Sly defeating multiple ranked wrestlers. Their success against seeded competition shows that North Carolina’s development pipeline is producing elite talent capable of competing with the best in the country.
Looking Ahead
With a national finalist, a pair of returning All-Americans on the rise, and multiple others with deep bracket runs, North Carolina’s junior class continues to gain national respect. The results from this year show a strong trajectory leading into the 2025-26 season—and potentially even bigger performances next spring at NHSCA Nationals.
As these juniors enter their senior year, they’ll form the core of what could be an exceptionally strong North Carolina senior class in 2026. Alston’s commitment to NC State suggests the state is also beginning to retain more of its top talent for in-state collegiate programs, another positive sign for wrestling’s growth in North Carolina.
