To the casual follower of NC State Athletics, the Wolfpack mightily struggled in revenue sports this past year. The NC State men’s basketball team underwhelmed to a losing record despite a talented roster and Wolfpack football lost heartbreakers to East Carolina, Clemson, Boston College and Florida State, resulting in a 6-6 regular-season record.

Digging deeper into the results; however, you’ll see that the wrestling, swimming and diving, women’s basketball and women’s soccer teams all had remarkable years. The Wolfies honor the top performances from the Pack each year, and there were plenty to be proud of. Here are the highlights:

Comeback Player of The Year – Matthew O’Donnell, Men’s Swimming and Diving

This honor is awarded to a student-athlete who overcomes injuries and performs well for his or her team. O’Donnell returned to the Pack following two brain surgeries, sidelining him for six months. The redshirt junior assisted the men’s team to its third-straight ACC title, scoring in three events at ACCs and earning provisional NCAA qualifying times.

Community Spirit Award – Gymnastics

This title is awarded to the team that serves the community through fundraising efforts. During the 2016-17 season, the gymnastics team donated much of its time to the area by participating in diabetes fundraisers, visiting patients in a local rehabilitation center and working with autistic children during the holidays. The team also walked and cared for dogs that were up for adoption.

ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year – Alexia Zevnik, Women’s Swimming and Diving and Andreas Schiellerup, Men’s Swimming and Diving

This award recognizes the top scholar athletes that must be in their last year of competition, earn a varsity letter and have a top-five GPA.

Zevnik is studying biological sciences and business administration and shined in the classroom. Schiellerup is studying human biology with a concentration in biochemistry. Both were named to the All-ACC Academic team and CSCAA Scholar All-Americans.

Wolfpack Unlimited – Women’s Soccer

This unique accolade is given to the team that overcomes challenges that seem unreachable. The NC State women’s soccer team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years and advanced to the Sweet 16. Led by head coach Tim Santoro, the group upset No. 7 UNC-Chapel Hill in the ACC tourney and No. 8 Minnesota in the first round of the NCAAs. The Wolfpack also recorded its second-most conference wins and points in school history; this is a young team poised to make some noise in the fall.

Women’s Rookie of the Year – Ky-Lee Perry, Swimming and Diving

In her freshman campaign, Perry established herself among NC State’s best sprint-specialists. The Norwalk, Connecticut native placed third in the 100-yard freestyle in ACCs and competed on three gold-medal relay teams, smashing two ACC records. She won the individual ACC Championship in the 50-yard freestyle, also breaking the school record. Perry helped the squad achieve seventh place at NCAA’s, and claim its first ACC title since 1980.

Men’s Rookie of the Year – Dennis Smith Jr., Men’s Basketball

The freshman phenom took the ACC by storm, becoming the only player in conference history to record two triple-doubles in the same season. Smith ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring, first in assists and second in steals. The Fayetteville native became the first Wolfpack freshman to win ACC Freshman of the Year since 1977-78, and the first to win outright. Smith secured a spot on the All-ACC Second team and will look to take his talents to the NBA next year as he is likely to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft.

Women’s Performance of the Year – Women’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame

The NC State women’s basketball team upset No. 2 Notre Dame in Reynolds Coliseum, 70-62, on Dec. 29. The Wolfpack (23-9, 12-4 ACC) handed the Irish just their second loss in ACC play since joining the conference in the 2013-14 season. NC State controlled the majority of the contest, leading for nearly 39 minutes, led by double-digit outings from redshirt senior Dominique Wilson and seniors Miah Spencer and Jennifer Mathurin.

Men’s Performance of the Year – Men’s Swimming and Diving 800-yard freestyle

In an incredible way to begin the first day of competition at the 2017 NCAA Championships, senior Soren Dahl, juniors Ryan Held, Andreas Vazaios and sophomore Justin Ress claimed the 800-yard freestyle relay title. In a time of 6:06.53, the Wolfpack rewrote record books, setting a new school, ACC, pool, U.S. Open and NCAA record. The title helped NC State finish fourth at NCAAs, tied for the best in school history.

Women’s Coach of the Year – Tim Santoro, Soccer

Santoro coached the Pack to a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA tourney, a final national ranking of No. 23 and its most wins since 1996. Along with Santoro, the staff was named NSCAA Southeast Staff of the Year.

Men’s Coach of the Year – Braden Holloway, Swimming

The Wolfpack alumnus led his team to its third-straight ACC title, and a fourth-place finish at NCAAs. The sixth-year coach also received ACC Men’s Coach of the Year.

Women’s Team of the Year – Cross Country

The Wolfpack qualified for its 30th NCAA Championship, the most appearances by any NC State program. The Pack went on to finish fourth, its highest since 2001. Senior Erika Kemp and redshirt sophomore Rachel Koon led the team to its 22nd ACC title, and both earned All-American Honors. 

Men’s Team of the Year – Swimming

Thanks to an undefeated season highlighted by a win over No. 2 Texas, the men’s swim team was often ranked No. 1 in the national poll. The team won seven of 13 individual events and four of five relays en route to an ACC title. The Wolfpack had 11 All-Americans and tore up the pool on the national stage, sending 14 athletes and tallying 12 podium finishes, led by three from Held.