The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1306549
14 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK R edshirt freshman Ben Verchick is a two-sport student-athlete at NC State who competes for the cross country and track and field teams. After taking a redshirt season during his true freshman year for cross country, Verchick made his indoor track debut with a sixth- place finish in the mile with a time of 4:19:13 at the Gamecock Opener in January 2020. He has been active throughout this cross country season for the Wolfpack, as well, pacing all Wolfpack runners with a seventh- place finish at an ACC Tri-Meet with Wake Forest and North Caro- lina Oct. 16, then crossing the line in 75th place at the ACC Cham- pionships Oct. 30, helping the Pack take second as a team. The product of Union Pines High School in Cameron, N.C., was the 2019 North Carolina 3A state champion in the 3,200 meters. In 2018, he was the runner-up in the 3A cross country state champi- onship. Verchick spoke with The Wolfpacker on his time at NC State so far and what's ahead for the men's cross country and track and field teams: What did you learn in your first year in college, and what's the number one thing you tried to develop? "I wouldn't say one thing specifically, but it did make a big im- pact in how I look at this season and these opportunities to race. Last year, it was a great chance to see how the older guys went through all the steps. "It was nice being able to see the weeks leading up to races and the overall training progression that we went through. That defi- nitely has made a big difference this year." What's the biggest difference between running at the high school level versus college? "Definitely the distance. The racing feels about the same because we prepare the same way, and mentally it's the same kind of focus, with the same goals. The adjustment to 8K [8,000 meters] has been what you'd expect, an adjustment. GETTING TO KNOW: REDSHIRT FRESHMAN MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE BEN VERCHICK Verchick was the eighth NC State runner to cross the finish line at the 2020 ACC Cross Country Championships, placing 75th overall. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS " I've been going to Wolfpack football games since I was a little kid. This was where I wanted to go. This was the end all, be all." Verchick on his decision to become a student-athlete at NC State