The match against the Wolfpack (8-1) started on a poor note, as Johnson suffered only his sixth loss this season. Trailing from the beginning, Johnson never regained control of the bout and lost to Chad Pyke, 8-2.

“Going into the weekend I knew that was going to be my biggest test,” Johnson said. “I felt a little slow throughout the day, and I think I let that mental barrier affect me too much. I really think I could have benefitted from a different mindset.”

In the third match of the meet, Jaffe managed to pull Harvard within three points of NC State’s lead. The rookie blanked the Wolfpack’s 141 lb. contender, Robbie Rizzolini, 8-0, to keep Harvard within striking distance after a slow start.

“He looked great this weekend,” Weiss said. “I think he really showed what he could do at Midlands and built on that here. He can compete with anybody. He is just getting better every time he steps on the mat.”

The Crimson was unable to keep this momentum, though, dropping the next two matches as NC State widened its lead. Gajdzik and Bierdumpfel gained points for Harvard, but it was ultimately not enough to close the gap.

—Staff writer Jillian Dukes can be reached at jdukes01@college.harvard.edu.