Saturday, August 30 – NC United Blue athletes traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a joint training session with the UVA Regional Training Center (RTC) and the University of Virginia wrestling program. The workout gave North Carolina’s wrestlers valuable exposure to the intensity and expectations of a top collegiate training environment.
The session was led by UVA Head Coach Steve Garland, who welcomed NC United into the Cavaliers’ room. Built around high-intensity drilling and live wrestling, the practice showcased the pace and physicality required at the collegiate level. Coach Garland praised the effort and composure of the NC United group, noting how well they handled the tempo of the workout and the demands of the room.
This experience reflects a core principle of NC United’s Blue practices: creating consistent opportunities for elite high school wrestlers to train with each other and with college athletes across all divisions. Whether at UNC, NC State, or competing in college opens, NC United athletes are continually immersed in environments that “normalize” college-level training. These consistent exposures are accelerating development and helping athletes make significant jumps in performance.
Looking ahead, NC United plans to continue pursuing opportunities to place its athletes in college practice rooms and RTC environments across the country. By engaging directly with programs like Virginia, the organization provides a pathway for its wrestlers to experience, adapt to, and ultimately thrive within the highest levels of the sport.
NC United extends its gratitude to Coach Garland, the UVA RTC, and the University of Virginia for their hospitality and partnership. The program will carry the lessons learned in Charlottesville into upcoming training cycles and competitive events, ensuring that North Carolina wrestlers remain on a trajectory toward national relevance and collegiate success.
In Their Own Words
The impact of the session was felt most by the athletes themselves. Stepping into a Division I room pushed them beyond comfort, but also gave them confidence that they could rise to the standard. Their reflections capture what it meant to experience this level of training firsthand.
“It was a great experience to be in such a high level room. Wrestling with the best of the best not only helped me improve but also showed me a new level of where I can compete.” – Gabe Rogers Sr. Seaforth HS
“It was an awesome experience, beautiful training center and campus. I didnt want to leave.” – Mac Johnson Jr. Cape Fear HS
“My time at UVA RTC was an awesome experience. the coaches were welcoming and the facilities were top notch. The team atmosphere was awesome as well.” – Carson Worrick Jr. Davie County
Experience That Opens Doors
Opportunities like these create direct access to college-level environments and prepare our athletes to compete and succeed on the national stage. They not only build readiness for the next level of college wrestling but also provide critical exposure that can influence recruiting opportunities down the road. The lessons carried forward from Charlottesville will fuel both immediate growth and long-term success for NC United athletes.
