The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MAY/JUNE 2020 ■ 47 Like many of Easterling's swimmers, Baric has achieved as much after he left the pool as he did while in it. NC State swimmers have a history of saving things. NC State Athletic Hall of Fame member Steve Rerych is a general surgeon who served as chief resident in general, vascular and thoracic surgery at Duke and held a similar position at the Veteran's Medical Center in Asheville, N.C. Cullen Jones, in addition to being an ACC, NCAA and Olympic champion swimmer, has become one of the world's leading ambassadors for teaching chil- dren to swim. And former Wolfpack cap- tain Bill Toler, who earned a business degree at NC State while swimming for four years, took over Hostess Brands in 2014, bringing the internation- ally known company out of bankruptcy. He brought back Twinkies, Hostess's iconic snack cake, after being out of production for more than two years. If an NC State swimmer can save Twinkies, maybe a treatment to solve a global pandemic isn't out of the question. Easterling has maintained contact with Baric for many years, but has under- standably been out of touch recently. "He's got other things on his mind at the moment," Easterling said. "I know Ralph is a great competitor. I hope this is another race he wins." ■ Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to The Wolfpacker and can be reached at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. Baric helped the Wolfpack sweep all 18 events at the ACC Championships as a freshman in 1973 — something that hasn't been done before or since — by winning three individual conference titles and leading off a relay that also won a gold medal. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS www.acleanerworld.com Right the first time or it's free. Pressed FOR TIME? LET US TAKE A LOAD OFF. That jumbled heap of clothing lies in wait. But you have more pressing matters. So, bring the load to us. We'll bring order to the chaos. I know Ralph is a great competitor. I hope this is another race he wins. Former NC State swimming coach Don Easterling