Cael Hughes felt the moment escalate as he tried to remain levelheaded.
In his first dual match since November, he wanted to make the most of it. In his way was North Carolina State’s Kai Orine.
In a pivotal 133-pound bout of No. 3 Oklahoma State’s 34-3 win against the No. 5 Wolfpack on Monday night in Gallagher-Iba Arena, Hughes was asked to wrestle in place of starter Reece Witcraft, who missed his second-straight dual due to injury.
But now, Hughes was slotted back in as the weight of the dual rested upon him.
When asked if he was nervous, he responded bluntly: “Nah.