It’s that time again. There’s a sense of newfound hope and optimism in the air. The Wolfpack is back, and it’s just about time to start another year of NC State athletics. Last year provided fans with more than enough drama; however, this year the road may be filled with even more twists, turns and last-second BeeJay Anya jump hooks.
Let’s start on the gridiron where the State football team will open its season on September 5 against the Troy Trojans. Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett is back for another season along with a backfield that is sure to give defenses nightmares. Touted by some of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the country, the Wolfpack returns junior Matthew Dayes and senior Shadrach Thornton to go along with two talented freshmen in Johnny Frasier and Nyheim Hines.
Defensively, NC State got off to a rocky start last year but was able to right itself down the stretch and now look to be in good shape as eight starters return from last season. Chief of which include graduate defensive end Mike Rose, redshirt sophomore linebacker Jerod Fernandez and an exciting secondary with redshirt sophomore safety Josh Jones and junior cornerback Jack Tocho. Put all that together, and you’ve got the makings of a special season in Raleigh this year.
As for the hardwood, prospects could have been a little higher if guard Trevor Lacey would have decided to come back for one more wild ride with the Cardiac Pack. However, who can fault Lacey for seizing the opportunity to play the game he loves at the professional level. Lacey will be missed, but his absence does not diminish my excitement for the upcoming season.
Junior guard Anthony “Cat” Barber took the spotlight at times last season and finally became the prolific scoring guard that garnered so much praise from scouts before he signed with State. Along with that comes a fearsome frontcourt comprised of some of the best post defenders in the ACC and a rising star in sophomore forward Abdul-Malik Abu, and the Wolfpack is sure to be a tough out this year.
Also, let’s not forget about redshirt junior guard Terry Henderson. Much like Lacey last season, Henderson could be somewhat of a wildcard for the Pack. He’s the type of player that could become the team’s leading scorer or simply a dangerous outside scoring threat, which will be sorely needed given the absence of sharpshooting guard Ralston Turner.
Beyond the revenue sports, you cannot ignore redshirt senior Nick Gwiazdowski and the NC State wrestling team. Gwiazdowski will be back this winter with hopes of taking home his third consecutive national championship in the 285 pound weight class. And then there’s sophomore Kevin Jack who took home fifth at the 2015 NCAA Championships and gained All-American honors as a freshman.
Since naming the former Binghamton head coach Pat Popolizio to lead the Pack in 2012, the NC State wrestling team has seen nothing but success and continues to rise as one of the elite wrestling programs in the country.
The same can be said for head coach Braden Holloway and the NC State swimming and diving program. The men captured the 2015 ACC Championship along with an eighth place finish in the national championships, while the women placed seventh.
A new era of NC State athletics is upon us. It’s difficult to remember a time in which State was blessed with more head coaches that are proven winners. From women’s basketball head coach Wes Moore to baseball head coach Elliott Avent, the future of NC State athletics is in the hands of highly capable leaders. Couple that with some of the best athletes that NC State athletics has seen in quite some time, and Wolfpack faithful have more than enough reason to be excited for the upcoming year of athletic action.
