Sophomore Standouts Elevate North Carolina at NHSCA Nationals
North Carolina’s sophomore class delivered one of its most impressive performances ever at the 2025 NHSCA Nationals, producing six All-Americans—tied for the second-highest total in state history since record-keeping began in 2005. Only the outstanding 2013 group, with nine All-Americans, surpassed this achievement. The Class of 2027 combined grit, depth, and talent across multiple weight classes, reinforcing North Carolina’s rising presence on the national stage.
This year’s standout showing was highlighted by three wrestlers placing 7th, with each of them battling through grueling consolation brackets. Several others delivered strong performances, notching bonus-point victories, wins over seeded opponents, and pushing nationally ranked competition. The 2025 sophomore class more than doubled the state’s historical average of 2.4 All-Americans per year at this level, cementing its place as one of North Carolina’s most successful groups at NHSCA Nationals.
All-American Performances
6th Place Finisher Tobin McNair (152 lbs) – Raleigh – 4-2 record
North Carolina’s highest-placing sophomore. He made an impressive run to the semifinals, defeating #12 seed Paxon Legatt by decision (4-0) in the quarterfinals. He faced #2 seed Maximus Fortier in the semifinals and #3 seed Nicky Negron in the consolation semifinals. McNair medically forfeited his final placement match due to a shoulder injury. Notable victories include a 20-0 technical fall over Maddox Reed in the Round of 32 and a 10-6 decision over Rory Dixon in the Round of 16. His shutout quarterfinal win stood out as one of the most dominant of the tournament.
7th Place Finisher Keyshon Morrison (220 lbs) – Lake Norman – 6-2 record
At 220 lbs, Keyshon Morrison (Lake Norman) once again proved why he’s one of the state’s most reliable big men. A 2024 Freshman All-American, Morrison entered as the #6 seed and dropped an early match to Mason Adams. But the sophomore stormed back through the consolation bracket, winning six consecutive matches—including wins over the #7 and #8 seeds—before taking out the #13 seed Jackson Barnhisel in a 12-9 thriller for 7th. Morrison finished with a 6-2 record, notching three pins and a tech fall, and reinforcing his reputation as a finisher.
7th Place Finisher Jack Harty (182 lbs) – Northern Guilford – 5-2 record
Another returning AA, Jack Harty (Northern Guilford), delivered a powerful 5-2 performance at 182 lbs. Seeded #4 and fresh off a 3rd-place finish in 2024, Harty cruised through his opening matches with two dominant tech falls (21-4 and 20-2). He then fell to #5 seed Wyatt Hanssen in a tightly contested quarterfinal (8-5), and again to the #9 seed Abel Varzeas in the consolation semis. Harty responded with a pin in 3:39 over David Clayton to secure 7th. His consistent bonus-point wins, and high seed finish reflect his growth and toughness on the national stage.
7th Place Finisher Gavin Lopez (195 lbs) – Green Hope – 4-2 record
Perhaps the most unexpected AA performance came from Gavin Lopez (Green Hope) at 195 lbs. Unseeded entering the event, Lopez built on his 2024 8th-place finish by navigating a tough bracket to reach the quarterfinals. Though he lost to #2 seed Carter Brown and later to #3 seed Ibrahim Zaky, Lopez posted three falls in four wins, including a decisive 7th-place victory via fall over Aidan Plemons.
8th Place Finisher Aidan Plemons (195 lbs) – Blowing Rock – 3-3 record
Plemons reached the quarterfinals with a 13-4 major decision over Jaron Molgard and a 9-7 decision over Michael Mccullough. He lost to #12 nationally ranked Maximus Konopka and then to Gavin Lopez in the 7th place match. His run earned him All-American honors in a stacked bracket.
8th Place Finisher Antonio Escobar (285 lbs) – North Carolina – 4-3 record
Escobar secured two pins and key decisions, including a 1-0 win over Noah Robertson in the consi round of 8. He fell 9-3 to August Moser in the 7th place match but demonstrated grit and potential in the heavyweight field.
Other Notable Performances
At 220 lbs., Connor Brinkley (Jimmy C. Draughn) entered seeded #12 and was looking to improve upon his 2024 7th-place finish. He started strong with a first-round pin in just 1:02 but fell to #5 seed Lance Clelland in the round of 16 and was later eliminated in consolations. Though he didn’t place this year, Brinkley still demonstrated national-level potential.
Returning All-American’s Show Growth
North Carolina’s ability to develop talent year-over-year was on full display:
- Jack Harty: 3rd (Freshman) → 7th (Sophomore)
- Keyshon Morrison: 3rd (Freshman) → 7th (Sophomore)
- Gavin Lopez: 8th (Freshman) → 7th (Sophomore)
- Connor Brinkley: 7th (Freshman) → DNP (Sophomore)
Division Standings
In the overall Sophomore division standings, North Carolina delivered an impressive performance with 6 total All-Americans, ranking the state 3rd nationally behind only Pennsylvania (13) and California (7). This exceptional showing places North Carolina among the elite wrestling states, tied with Florida, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey (all with 6 All-Americans each) and ahead of traditional wrestling powers like Virginia (5), Missouri (4), and Texas (4).
While the state didn’t secure any top-6 finishes, their depth with multiple 7th-place finishers demonstrates the breadth of talent developing in North Carolina. Pennsylvania was the clear leader in total placers, but North Carolina’s position in the top tier of states nationally confirms its emergence as a significant force in high school wrestling.
Historical Context: The 2025 performance of 6 All-Americans represents one of North Carolina’s best showings in the Sophomore division at NHSCA Nationals
- Tied for second-most All-Americans since 2005 (only behind 2013’s 9 All-Americans)
- More than doubled the state’s 20-year average of 2.4 Sophomore All-Americans per year
- Represents a 100% increase from 2024’s 3 Sophomore All-Americans
- Continues the upward trend seen in recent years
With strong performances across multiple weight classes and wrestlers who have already demonstrated year-over-year improvement, North Carolina’s 2025 sophomore class has established itself as one of the state’s most promising groups of young wrestlers with significant potential for future success at the national level.
When combined with the freshman class’s record-tying seven All-Americans, North Carolina’s total of 13 All-Americans in 2025 matches the state’s best-ever performance set in 2013, reinforcing the state’s growing prominence in national wrestling competition.
