The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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James Smith-Williams Becomes NFL's First Set the Expectation Ambassador Washington Redskins rookie James-Smith Williams, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 229th overall pick, is taking his experience as an ambassador for Set The Expectation during his time at NC State to the NFL. The charitable organization is dedicated to combating sexual and physical violence through raising awareness, education and direct engagement with young men in high school and collegiate athletic programs. "Beyond excited and honored for this role," Smith-Williams tweeted about becoming the program's first NFL ambassador. He quickly became involved with the char- ity after hearing founder Brenda Tracy's sur- vival story when she was asked to speak with the NC State football program. The defensive end helped coordinate the first-ever Set The Expectation football game in the ACC as a senior, when the Wolfpack played Ball State. "It's been such an honor to work with James," Tracy said in a press release. "He is exactly the change we need to see in the world. Especially during these uncertain times, he gives me hope for a better future." Women's Basketball Picks Up Graduate Transfer Raina Perez The 2020 ACC champion women's basketball team acquired a highly touted point guard for next season in Cal State Fullerton graduate transfer Raina Perez. The Big West Player of the Year last season averaged 19.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game as a redshirt junior. Entering her last season of eligibility, Perez will provide imperative depth at point guard for the Wolfpack following the departure of senior guards Aislinn Konig and Kaila Ealey. "We're very excited to add such a prolific scorer as Raina Perez," NC State head coach Wes Moore said in a release. "A combo guard, she can create her own shot while also keeping her teammates involved. With the recent graduation of three talented guards, Raina brings much- needed experience and scoring to the position." Philip Rivers Named Football Coach In-Waiting At Alabama High School Despite signing a one-year, $25-million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, legendary NC State quarterback Philip Rivers already has a job lined up for after he decides to call it quits in the NFL. St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Ala., named Rivers the head coach in-waiting of its football team pending his retirement from professional football. "I had two childhood dreams," Rivers told AL.com. "One was to play in the NFL, and I'm now going into my 17th season. The other was to be a high school football coach as my dad was." Rivers' father was a career high school football coach that mentored his future eight-time Pro Bowler son at Athens High School in Athens, Ala., and then coached Wakefield High School in Raleigh while Rivers was at NC State. — Justin H. Williams Smith-Williams has worked with Set The Expectation to raise awareness on sexual violence since his time at NC State. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ RED AND WHITE NOTEBOOK Jakob Camacho, Wrestling Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA Wrestling Championships were not held. Instead, the National Wres- tling Coaches Association named All-Americans, and Camacho was one of six for NC State to be honored, earning second-team laurels. The redshirt freshman from Danbury, Conn., was also named the 2020 ACC Champion- ships' Most Outstanding Wrestler after a dominant run to a conference title at 125 pounds that included a win over one of last year's NCAA finalists. He won eight of his last nine matches and went 20-6 overall to earn the No. 10 seed in the NCAA Championships. Alexis Galarneau, Tennis The senior from Laval, Canada, be- came NC State's first All-American, as recognized by the Intercollegiate Ten- nis Association, since Jay Weinacker in 2009. At the time the season was canceled, Galarneau was 10-1 in the spring in singles ac- tion and rated No. 20 nationally in the Oracle/ITA rankings. Galarneau was the driving force behind NC State's tennis program finishing the year No. 6 in the team rankings. The rise up the ratings for the Wolfpack was highlighted by a win over No. 4 Texas, during which Galarneau defeated No. 2-ranked singles performer Yuya Ito. Sophie Hansson, Swimming Had the sophomore from Hels- ingborg, Sweden, been allowed to compete in the NCAA Champion- ships, which were canceled, she was poised to make history. Hansson had won the ACC titles in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke races, and going into the final meet of the year she owned the best times nationally in each. She was aiming to become the first female swim- mer at NC State to win an individual national title. Hans- son is just 0.04 seconds away in the 200 from owning the school record for the fastest times in both events. Lauren Kent, Gymnastics After collecting 17 podium fin- ishes — including four individual titles — during the season, the Willow Springs, N.C., native was selected as the East Atlantic Gym- nastics League (EAGL) Gymnast of the Year. Kent had the top all-around score in the confer- ence at 39.090. It was a breakthrough season of sorts for Kent, who went from competing in five all-around events as a sophomore to every event this year before the season was cut short. Kent was first-team All-EAGL on bars and all-around, and second-team on beam. PACK PERFORMERS TRACKING THE PACK